Day 22 of our backpacking trip. (Chiang Mai, Thailand) Woke up late as we didnt plan anything to do. Just to relax. Went out for lunch and back to hotel again. When over to night bazaar to walk around and have dinner. Thought of looking for the shirt that my dad wanted. But they were selling it very expensive there. Think is to cheat tourists. Ate dinner at Burger King. Saw a big size woman sitting at the corner eating her burger. Her phone rang and when she picked up, it’s was actually a he. Hmm… Can’t trust the eyes to difference gender in Thailand. Walked back to hotel. On the way back, we stopped by 7-11 to get something for supper. Got 4 pieces of long hotdog. Each hotdog is like 1 foot long. 4 pieces together was like 1.2 metres. We actually ate 1.2 metres of hotdog. It’s really nice and cheap but a bit crazy la. Stay up till 2am to watch a movie on HBO. The ending was stupid.

Day 21 of our backpacking trip. (Chiang Mai, Thailand) Left hotel to Chang Puak Gate in late morning. Wore t-shirt and jeans so that we can get into the temple. On the way, when into 7-11 to buy a hotdog bread for breakfast. Reached Chang Puak Gate, there’s dis Sawngthaew driver who waved at us before crossed the road to Chang Puak Gate.

He knew we were going to Doi Suthep and wanna to drive us there. He quoted THB40 to Doi Suthep. But there’s only 2 person on the vehicle. In order to get that price, there must be 10 people. He offered that we were able to get the whole vehicle by yourself for only THB200 per person to Doi Suthep only. Hmm… a bit boh hua hoh. So we told him we will wait for another 8 persons. He asked us to wait.

He came back with an Ang Mo Couple. They’re from Holland. After a while, he came back with another Ang Mo Couple. They’re from Spain. He coded us THB50/person for 6 persons. We agreed to the price and we started the journey. The journey was bumpy and lots of turn. The higher we went, the colder the surrounding air. We reached Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. It’s a magnificent Lanna-style temple near the summit. We told the driver to meet us back one hour lata. Climb the 306 steps up the temple, our legs felt tired.

According to Lonely Planet Guide Book, they didnt say that there’s an admission fee. We got to pay THB30 each to get into the temple.

We were there already so might as well go in. Bought tickets and were to the side of the temple. There’s a viewing point. From there, we were able to see Chiang Mai Airport and the place around it.

But as it’s fogging, we were not able to see the whole scenery. At least we were able to see part of it. Went into the temple, there were lots of statues around.

Nothing much at this place, lots of Thais praying, and lots of Ang Mo watching. There’s this Lanna-style copper-plated chedi (stupa) topped by five-tiered gold umbrella – one of the holiest chedi in Thailand. There’s those big bells around the temple and names of people who donated money to build the bells. There’s actually Singaporean name and address on it. Guess it’s quite a lot time ago as the postal code was still in 4 digits.

Saw a jade buddha. Lots of people praying and taking pic of it. Left the temple and went down the steps. Bought food at the bottom of the temple. Time-up. We boarded the Sawngthaew. The Sawngthaew will take us to Palace Garden for just an additional of THB60. We went to Palace Garden which was abt 4km away from the temple.

According to Lonely Planet Guide Book, admission is free. But when we reached there, foreigners need to pay THB50/person. Hmm… we were there already so just go in ba.

Bought the ticket at the ticket counter. The person actually tot I’m Thai, as Thai needs to pay only THB20. She tears the THB20 for us and talked to us in Thai. But as we dont understand wat she was talking about she knew we were not Thai. So she tear the THB50 for us. Should have learned some Thai, so can pay lesser. Went into the Palace Garden and found some regret of paying to come in. It’s actually like Singapore.

Everywhere flowers and plants. The Ang Mos see the place like they have never seen flowers before. There’s even a corner as Fern Garden. Hmm… in Singapore we can see Ferns everywhere. Well, we just walked one round and got out, as it started to rain. We got outside and sat and wait for the Spain couple. They came and we boarded the vehicle. Back at Chang Puak Gate. We paid the driver THB320. Went back to hotel to changed to our shorts as the weather back at Chiang Mai City was super hot. Watched “Hitch” on HBO. Then when out for dinner at our usual roadside hawker. Gave us THB10 discount again. Back to our hotel to bath and slept early.

Day 20 of our backpacking trip. (Chiang Mai, Thailand) Woke up and pack up to check into a new room. Changed to a fan room. The fan room actually doesnt come with tv. But as we have been staying here for quite a long time, she gave us a tv set, without remote control de, better than nothing ba. Went out for the Doi Suthep trip. Looked for Sawngthaew to ask to go to Doi Suthep. The drivers asked for THB300-500. Our budget for the trip up was just less than THB50 as planned. Some of the driver even scolded us and told us the price was impossible. We walked over to Chang Puak Bus Station as one of the driver accidentally told us that there was public transport going to Doi Suthep at Chang Puak Bus Station and he will drive us over for THB40. Of course we didnt take his tuk tuk as we knew where Chang Puak Bus Station is and it’s only abt 1km away from where we were.
We walked over to Chang Puak Bus Station, and on the way, we saw Wat Chiang Man.
First time we saw a Wat with Ang Mo tourists.

Some part of the Wat is under maintenance. Looked around the temple. Ladies are actually not allowed to get into one of the hall. Took some pic and left. Reached Chang Puak Bus Station. Looked around and didnt see any bus going to Doi Suthep. Lots of Tuk tuk driver asking us where we wanted to go. But as their English is till a certain limit, they cant understand wat we were taking about. Gave up asking them, we asked the information counter how to got Doi Suthep. The woman was polite and helpful. She showed us a map and draw on it that we shld go to a 7-11 in front of Chang Puak Gate to take taxi to Doi Suthep. It will cost THB40 if we take a taxi from there. THB40 to get back. The tuk tuk driver continued to persuade us to take their tuk tuk but as it was about the rain, we decided that we better dont go today. We returned to our hotel . Dinner at Mike’s. We ta bao back to hotel as the dining area at Mike’s is very hot and dusty. Bought ice cream for supper and bread for the trip the next day. The last time I ate Mike’s, I vomitted all out as Im not feeling well then. But this time, I ate it and the portion’s so much that when I finish half my burger, I’m very full already. Still force the whole burger in. Watched “Four Brothers” on HBO. Eat ice-cream and slpt early cos got to wake up the next day for the trip. Hopefully the weather will be good!

Day 19 of our backpacking trip. (Chiang Mai, Thailand) Saving day! We woke up late. Went to lunch at this Chinese restaurant. There was dis grandpa speaking Teochew with us. Luckily I know a bit of Teochew… err… enuf for him to understand us. He talked to us abt himself and asked us where we are from. He said that Singapore was very beautiful and clean. He went there before, 20 years ago. He served us with ice water. Added ice to our water when he saw that there’s no ice left. And he asked us if there’s ice in Singapore. Err… he shld visit Singapore again someday. We ate 2 bowls of pork-ball noodles for THB40. We went to 7-11 to buy drinking water. And it started to rain very heavily. We rushed back to our hotel and on our way back, we stopped by Comfort Mart to buy something to eat. The cashier in the shop was a very polite and helpful woman. We had been there many times, and every time we were there, she will smile sweetly at us and greet us. This time, she decided to teach us some Thai.
Hello = sa wat dii khrap (guys) and sa wat dii kha (gals)
Thank you = khawp khun khrap (guys) and khawp khun kha (gals)
Hmm… enuf of Thai lesson, we ended the session by saying “khawp khun khrap/kha” to our “teacher”. Ppb, if we go there more often, we will be able to speak Thai. But guess it means to spend more money in the mart to learn Thai. Hmm.. Is it worth it?Went back to hotel to continue planning our Doi Suthep trip. On that day, we will buy some chocolates or snacks bar with us, in case if there’s no food shop up there. We will oso be bringing water. We will be taking a Sawngthaew to Doi Suthep (try to bargain for less than THB50). We will get the driver to drive us to the parking lot. Try to get a map. We will climb up the 300 stairs leading to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. After that, we will get to Phra Tamnak Phu Phing, a winter palace for the royal family. We can visit the palace garden and those importantly admission is free. From there, we will try to get to Doi Pui, Hmong Village and Coffee Plantation. Try to see if we can get a peep of the waterfall. If not, we will have to pay THB200 for all the waterfalls. Dont know how many waterfalls will there be. Before sunset, we will get a Sawngthaew from wherever we will be back to hotel. Hopefully from wherever we will be, there’s Sawngthaew or Tuk Tuk. If not, we will have to walk all the way back to Chiang Mai City, which will be abt 16km (depending where will we be) taking us abt 10 hours. Hmm… see how ba.Watched Nanny McNuff on HBO. Raining very heavily outside. After the movie, we had no choice but to eat at the hotel’s restaurant. After dinner, we went to the nearby shop giving internet service to upload the blogs and check our mails. Used the internet for 59mins and 5seconds. Paid THB15 for using 1 hour of internet. Went back to hotel to pack up and get ready for the next day. Slpt!

Day 18 of our backpacking trip. (Chiang Mai, Thailand) Actually tot of going back Pai as it’s cheaper there. But as we dont feel like taking the long 5 hour journey bus, we decided we will stay in Chiang Mai. Our plan for the day was to visit all the “Wat” (temple) in Chiang Mai. We went for our breakfast in one of those roadside shop. Beef noodles. Ordered 2 bowls of noodles and 2 bottles of fanta. THB7. Nice and not expensive. We looked at our guide book to see which Wat to visit first. We were nearest to Wat Sai Mun Mianma.

Came across a Wat and we tot it’s Wat Sai Mun Took a few pic. It’s not much. The hall of the temple was not open. Only a few people sitting and slping outside the temple. Went out of Chiang Mai City to visit another Wat naming Wat Muang Mang. Walked pass the newspaper printing centre of Chiang Mai. People arranging stacks of newspaper. Packing them and tying them up. Can oso c some of the worker reading the newspaper. Guess the workers working there need not buy newspaper as they’re able to read when working. Save $ and earn $ at the same time. Wise! Need to pay THB20 to visit Wat Muang Mang. So we just took some pic from outside. Looking in, the hall of the temple is oso not open. Maybe it’s lunch time for the monks? Or the hall will only b open during prayers? Walked towards Buak Hat Park as there’s 3 Wats there. We crossed the road to go back to Chiang Mai City and walked along the walls of the city to Buak Hat Park. Saw a wat, it’s the Wat Sai Mun. So the wat earlier on was actually not Wat Sai Mun.

Along the road, we passed by a wet market. Outside the market, hawker selling fresh fruits. Just forget abt the Wats ba, anyway, dont tink it’s tourists attraction oso ba. We decided to buy Lychees outside Buak Hat Park and walked back to the wet market to buy mangosteens and water apples back to hotel. When into the park to rest a while…

Went out to the “Lychees Lane”, we bought 3 kg of Lychees.

Then to the market, we bought 3 kgs of Mangosteens and 1 kg of Water Apples. Journey back to the hotel was actually quite near, but as we were carrying fruits of 7 kg. Madness! Back to the hotel, we put all the Lychees and Water Apple into the fridge. Started eating 3 kg of Mangosteens. Finished the Mangosteens within half an hour. Wow… It’s nice and sweet but found hungry after eating the Mangosteens. Opened instant noodles and eat it dry. HBO replayed Polar Express. Watched the whole movie finally! Err… quite nice la. After planning for the Doi Suthep, we slept for a while. Woke up for dinner. But it was raining outside, so we went somewhere near the hotel to eat. Dont wanna eat at the hotel’s restaurant as it’s expensive and not nice at all. On the way back to hotel, bought Pringles from our favourite minimart, Comfort Mart, just next to our hotel. Checked out the books at the hotel books corner for books regarding Doi Suthep. Nothing that we dont already know. But there’s not much information on it, as more tourist will sign up package to get there. We wanted to explore the area on our own, so we didnt sign up for any packages. Never mind ba. We will just go and check it out on the day after tomorrow.