Asia 2014 Day 3: Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon

Long day today.  I was supposed to get picked up by the tour guide (for Doi Inthanon) sometime between 8-8:30.  I had confirmed w him the night before, but 8:30am came around...and still no sign.  Sent an email to check in and after 10 more min, had the front desk call him.  I was told they were coming and to just wait. I eventually got picked up at 9 am, so had waited an hour.  Turns out they forgot about me. Not sure what happened there, but all the other guests were picked up, and they started the drive to Doi Inthanon.  They were 15 min out of the city when they turned around and got me.  Felt a little bad for the other tourists..

The group of 10 others were pretty diverse. Six from Israel, two from Germany, two from New Zealand.  Everyone was friendly and good company.

Doi Inthanon was around 1.5 hrs away.  On the way there, we made a few stops.  First was the Wachira Thae waterfall.  Really nice waterfall, but windy and got soaked here.  We spent 30 min here before heading to the Sobhad Hmong Village. 

This was a White Karen Tribe originally from Burma, out of five Hmong village groups. Every few years, they have to move to another part of the mountain because the soil's condition deteriorates.   They live off of the tourists buying their local crafts, in addition to government aid.

We saw the rice fields, and their local gift shop where scarfs and other materials were sold.  Saw a lot of stray dogs here.  The breed I've been seeing is some mix, but it looks like the same mix throughout Chiang Mai.  They actually look pretty similar to the strays in Malaysia as well.

After the Hmong village, we went to another waterfall, the Sirithan waterfall.   Our timing was pretty bad, a bunch of Chinese tourists ended up getting here at the same time.

Next was a Hmong market.  Essentially all 20 of the booths sold the same dried fruits and nuts. Bought some dried Longan and bananas.

Lunch was next.  All the tour groups stop here for a set- menu lunch.  Fried fish, soup, veggies, chicken, fruit.

And finally, drove to the top of Doi Inthanon, which is the highest mountain in Thailand. We walked through a rainforest,  which was beautiful.  Views from the summit were nonexistent because of the rain clouds... So that was unfortunate.

On the way down, we went to the twin stupas - one made for the King, one for the Queen. Again, fog, rain, cold.  Could barely see the tops of the stupas.

Was still an overall enjoyable experience, despite the clouds and lack of view. Learned a lot here.

Got back to the hotel around 5pm.  I had scheduled a massage at Fah Lanna Spa by the night bazaar, so thought I'd get dinner by the bazaar somewhere.  Got food at the Kalare Food Center, a fresh mango/strawberry shake and spicy soup w pork.

Was looking forward to the massage for a few days, knowing they have great reviews.  Hence booking a two - hr session. But..there was a mixup and my reservation was never recorded.  And they were completely booked for the night.  Was super bummed. But, they offered to take me to the nicer, larger location in the old town, for the same 500 baht price.  YES.  It would've been more than double the price at this location.

My masseuse didn't speak any English. And was so strong. Normally I can take a lot of pressure, but my calves were so sore from all the walking I've been doing. So I was in a lot of pain when she was massaging, and had to be like 'Ow'.  She was all over the table and on me. I had forgotten how hands on of an experience the Thai massages are.

Got dropped off at the hotel by the shuttle around 10:30pm and crashed.  Tomorrow is another day of exploring - Warorot and the "Chinatown" area, followed by a khantoke dinner.

Asia 2014 Day 2: Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep, Wats, Sunday Walking Street Market

Had an early start to the day.  Ate a ton at the hotel's breakfast. So much at the buffet. Fruits, omelettes, noodles, congee, other Thai soups, veggies, meats.   So good.

Left the hotel at 7:45 am for a half hour walk to Chang Pueak Gate to catch a songthaew to Doi Suthep.  Enjoyed just walking the streets and taking in the environment.  It was quiet in the morning.  Most tourists were still sleeping.

I found the row of songthaew right outside the moat. Didn't have to bargain, the main organizer offered 50 baht to/from.  BUT failed to mention that I'd have to wait until there were 10 passengers. I was the 1st. Of course I was, since I was so early ...After 20 min, I was offered to be taken to Doi Suthep by myself for 700 baht.  Yea..no.  Waited around 30 min.

Songthaew to Doi Suthep

Met a nice couple from Guangzhou.  They were telling me about what to expect when I arrive in GZ.  Crowds.  Apparently it's even busier than Bangkok because October marks the start of a three month period of exhibitions and conventions.

Doi Suthep was not too impressive. The golden temple would have been much more beautiful if there were not so many crowds. The masses took away from the atmosphere, unfortunately.

From Doi Suthep

After walking around the temple, there are other attractions at the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, but must be driven to.  The palace was a popular one,  but I instead wanted to go to the Doi Pui summit. Was a decision made on the whim...and was a bust. The songthaew RT price was 500 baht, so already a lot.  It was just me, and the drive was maybe 15 min up the mountain. I did not realize that summit meant hiking to the summit..luckily I actually enjoy hiking, and it was a short 2.8km hike. But I saw no one else on my way up.  I felt like I was in the Hunger
Games, because there was a loud bug/creature that kept flying above the trees and circling around me. It sounded like construction work was being done. I kept imagining the worst, that the things would swarm down and I'd get bit and eaten on the mountain.

Songthaew Prices at Doi Suthep

The summit offered zero views.  Literally nothing to look at. There was a sign, but that was all. So...pretty disappointed that I trekked up the mountain and saw nothing.  The only redeeming factor was on the drive back down, we pulled over to another viewpoint and it was beautiful.  You could see a Hmong village from here.

View from Doi Suthep-Pui!

After getting back to Doi Suthep, I took another songthaew to Chiang Mai, although there was some confusion and I thought I was getting dropped off at Chang Pueak Gate.  Was taken to the university instead, and had to transfer to another songthaew.

I thought I'd try a restaurant nearby that had good reviews, called Free Bird Cafe, but unfortunately was closed.  I ended up wandering down some side street and found a local restaurant, definitely not catering to tourists/westerners.  Which is what I actually prefer.  Had pad see lew and a coconut drink for 80 baht ($2.40!)

After reengerizing, I wanted to explore the old town and check out the wats. Wat Chedi Luang was first, and it is incredible. It wasn't busy there at all, and the weather was still dry.  It looks like an ancient ruin, with half of the structure having fallen down. The elephants were so huge and impressive.  Really was beautiful here.

Wat Chedi Luang

Afterwards, I headed over to Wat Phra Singh.  Passed by the vendors setting up for the Sunday walking street market and started getting excited! Wat Phra Singh wasn't too impressive, and I felt a little bad because I used the temple to protect me from the downpour that started.  Stayed in there for half an or so, and decided it was time to start the walking market festivities.

It was a little after 5pm, and ppl were still setting up. I took this as an opportunity to relax my sore, sore feet and got a foot massage for 150 baht.  It was a tiny AC room packed with chairs facing the street market.  Perfect for ppl watching.

After the massage, most of the vendors were ready. And it was starting to get busy. I liked the booths here a lot more than the night bazaar. Had more of a local, authentic feel, not the warehouse - produced - goods - to - sell feel.

Various goods at the Sunday Walking Street Market

Bugs.  Yum.

Dinner was a hodge podge of items. Had a cute red bean bun shaped like an owl, some sweet potato balls, and mango w sticky rice.

Was exhausted by the time I got back.  These days really wipe me out, where I  literally fall asleep when I hit my bed.

Tomorrow will be the Doi Inthanon day trip! Followed by what else..a two hour massage...

Asia 2014 Day 1: Seattle to Chiang Mai

Took a long time to get to Chiang Mai. Seattle - Los Angeles - Hong Kong - Chiang Mai.  lronically, I found that LAX was actually the most confusing.  I had to ask three people how to get to the newer terminal B, and was directed outside. So I had to go through the entire security process again. 

Hong Kong's airport was nice, newer, and so clean. The restrooms were spotless.  I had eight hours here before my final leg of the journey, and took that time stretching my legs and just doing more trip planning.  Their food court offered selections that were so much more appealing than what we have at Seatac.  I had a couple meals there, and definitely feel like I ate way too much.  In total, I had both supper and breakfast on the plane ride there, another meal prior to takeoff, and the two at the airport.  At least I'll be doing a ton of walking these days.

Meals on the plane. Cute containers.

The flight from Hong Kong to Chiang Mai was short, around three hours long.  Very small airport, with a couple money exchange booths, taxi booths, and a Dairy Queen...(?)

Hello Chiang Mai! 

My hotel room's A/C feels like it is slightly damp air. It felt the same when I was I'm Bangkok before, so maybe it's a humidity thing.

After dropping off my things, I headed to the night bazaar which was just a 5 min walk from the hotel. I knew I wouldn't last long through because I was starting to feel really tired.

Took a detour into the Anusarn Market which was right off the street from the main road. Lots of vendors, but wasn't too busy. Saw a lot of similar items at the booths, like thirts, lights, purses.  After this market, I was even more exhausted. Still needed to eat dinner though, so checked out Lemongrass Thai, which has a lot of good reviews.

Anusarn Market

Busy! The waiters were running around the entire time. I couldn't help but notice that all the clientele were tourists. No locals during that time I ate there. Which makes me wonder about if highly rated places are actually good, or if it is just tourists basing it off of other tourists opinions, giving off a false positive feeling of the restaurant. Idk. But I do know their snapper curry dish was excellent. Plus thai ice tea = 225 baht.

Snapper curry dish at Lemongrass Thai

After dinner, I walked towards the bazaar for five min and then had no choice but to get a foot/shoulder massage. 100 baht for 30 min. $3!  There are SO MANY foot massage places. In this night bazaar area alone I passed at least 15 places.

A tiring day w all the travel.  Tomorrow I will get to explore more and check out the highly regarded Sunday walking street market!