Thailand-Chiang Mai

Poinsettia flowers celebrate Christmas

 

Intricate carvings on stool

 



Keeping postman busy

 

Water feature

 

 

Central Airport Plaza

 



Warorot Market

Tuk tuk fits 3-4 paying pax

 

Mid January and signs of Christmas was still evident in Chiang Mai airport and town.  Is it because of the strong presence of Western tourists in Chiang Mai?  In Malaysia, Chinese New Year decorations are up and CNY songs fills the air.   

 

Weather is cool in Chiang Mai and can be cold with blowing winds.  Light jacket a must if one is not so endowed in fat.  Local food is relatively cheap but most of the time, I can't make out what's what (most menu in Thai and conversation can be pretty non going.  Lots of pretty nice things to lay your hands on without breaking the bank.  There were numerous tourist attractions which I had struck off - elephant poo park, monkey/butterfly park, the National Park, Museum being either too far or done something like that before stuff.  The cabbie was disappointed that he would not be seeing me the next day. 

 

Warorot Market is a good place - lots of titbits and clothing minus the crowd.  There's a floor that serves pretty good hawker food but minimal choices.  Walking around the vicinity would be a great something-to-try on next trip.  

 

Central Airport Plaza is a huge shopping mall.  Seek out the Northern Village floor where one can find beautiful clothings done by designers.  On ground floor, you will find scores of locals eating near their favourite stalls.  Really enjoyed the kuay teow, veggie fritters and curry.  The pig trotters rice looks good too.  A gutsy lady sells coffee at a stand - I would say she balances quite well on a narrow platform.  Unable to read the menu, I settled for 'Thai coffee' as the easy way out.  Verdict-quite good coffee!

 

Getting around in either the pickup taxi (everyone can hop in and out, sits about 10 pax, Bhat 20 per trip) and the tuk tuk where you would pay more for privacy.  In and out of the vehicle requires you to mind your head.  Call it a limbering exercise.  Should you feel 'twisted', you can unwind in massage centers  at every street corner for Baht 200-250.  Of course, you would encounter moments of what they would want you to do due to limited English conversations.

 

Should you aspire to open a Thai kitchen, join the various cooking sessions.  For the adventurous, they can scale higher grounds into tribal villages.  For just dining and shopping, a 4 days trip would suffice.

 

The departing plane back to home played Christmas songs.  I was more ready to do CNY .... I need to be 'culturally aligned' again ....