Day 25 of our backpacking trip. (Chiang Mai, Thailand & Singapore) Woke up at 5.45am. Final check for our things and checked out. There was this uncle at the counter. We told him we want to check out and he asked me did we drink anything from the fridge, we say no and he rudely went to check. Came out, he went to check if we have paid for the room. He checked that we paid and smiled at us and we left. Went to post our postcard.

Walked outside the gate tot of hiring a tuk tuk to send us to airport. But a Sawngthaew stopped infront of us, asking us where we wanted to go. We told him airport and he quoted us THB50/person, which will be THB100 for both. We bargain with him. At last, we paid THB30/person, THB60 for both. Took some pic outside the airport.

Reached the airport, we got to scan our bag in order to get into the airport. Inside the airport, there’s nothing much to do but to wait for time. Tiger Airline’s counter’s finally open. We got our boarding pass and went into the waiting area. The whole Chiang Mai International Airport was like about ¼ of the size of Changi Airport Terminal 1. There’s only about 5 shops opened. We sat down and watched tv. We board the plane at about 8.30am. Thinking it’s still free seating, like last time, we sat somewhere infront. But a Singaporean woman came to us and said that that’s her seat. We told her politely that is free seating and she said it’s not anymore, rudely. We checked our ticket and being politely, we said sorry to her. She didn’t reply anything. Why cant Singaporean be more polite? It’s just a seat, why be so angry about it, don’t understand. Anyway, we found our seat.

It’s next to the wing, so means we cant take pic of scenery outside the plane. Reached Singapore at about 12.30pm. We were at the Budget Terminal. We walked down the plane and into the Terminal. This terminal is like open-air but with a shelter. No aircon. Called my mum before collecting my checked in luggage. Heard that my grandma passed away the day before. Collected my luggage, I went straight to the wake.

Day 24 of our backpacking trip. (Chiang Mai, Thailand) Woke up late. Very lazy to go anywhere else, so just went out to buy lunch at Mike’s. We used the ‘ buy one get one free ‘ coupon. We actually need to get two of the same burger in order to use the coupon. Back to hotel to eat. And when out to buy fruits after that. Bought 3kg of custard apple. Ate again at a roadside store selling chicken rice. On out way back, we bought their bubble tea. There’s containers of powders labeled the flavour of the drink. After we choose, they will scoop out the powder and mix it with hot water and stir. Add ice and “pearl”. Serve. Quite nice but too much ice. Walked to night bazzar to take a last look at that place. Went into pantip plaza. Saw some Girl Guides walking around and tot Guides HQ shld be nearby. Used the free internet provided by TOT, looking for the address for the Guides HQ. Got the address and a free map from a travel agency, we went looking for the HQ. We found the road. It was just beside pantip plaza. But the road was super long. Walked down the road, we saw a sign showing the Thailand Guides Logo and some Thai language. We followed the sign and finally found the place. We got into the HQ and found the guides shop. But it’s closed. Another customer went to the office to ask someone to open the shop. A staff came over and open the shop.

The signboard that lead us to the Guides Hse of Chiang Mai

Outside of the HQ

A photo with the main building.

Dont know what building is dis. But think it’s the kitchen.

The guides shop.

We bought badges of Chiang Mai Girl Guide and walked around the HQ. This HQ is a training centre for the Girl Guides in Chiang Mai. Tot of going to our usual roadside store to hv dinner, but it’s not open. So we went to a restaurant for dinner. After dinner, we went to Comfort Mart to buy something for breakfast the next day. Took a pic from the cashier who taught us Thai the other day.

Went back to our room to pack our bags. Took a few pic of the room.

Day 23 of our backpacking trip. (Chiang Mai, Thailand) Woke up at 11am. Even later than the day before. When to the Sunday market for breakfast and visit Wat Phan On.

It’s just beside the Sunday Market. There’s painting on the walls that seems like painting that was hanged on the wall. But when we looked at it closer, it was actually painting on the wall itself. Suddenly to rain heavily. I rushed home as we didnt buy the waterproof bag to protect the camera. Took a pic w our hotel keeper, Nim. And she is the one who gave us the free tv.

Went out at about 4.30pm. When walking down the usual route, we saw lots of roadside store beside the road. And the road was actually close for it. We walked through the whole “Pasah Malam”.

The whole thing was about 7km. Basically the whole of Ratchadamnoen Road. We were walking on the road that was usual very busy. Lots of store selling the same things. Bought cup corn to eat while walking around. As it gets later, more people join in. The whole road was covered with people pushing around. There’s loudspeakers placed on some of the lamp posts. At about 6pm, someone talked through the loudspeaker in Thai. As we dont understand it, we ignored it. Suddenly there’s music played thru it. Every one, including the seller, on the street stood straight. It’s actually the national anthem. The street become so quiet, except the national anthem. We had heard abt Thai standing up in cinema when national anthem is played before the movie being played. But we dont know that Thai really respect the national anthem so much that they can put down watever they are doing and stand up straight with attention when the national anthem was being played during a night market. Tourists , who were looking at the items being sold or taking pic of interesting things, actually stook to attention as well when they saw the locals doing it. We joined in too. The anthem was played like 30 seconds. After the anthem, the Thai bowed, think it’s also to show respect to the anthem ba. They continued watever they were doing after that. We was thinking wat if they were cooking half way during the national anthem being played. They will come to attention and when the anthem ended, the food they were cooking will be burnt. Haha… There’s dis bamboo cup drink. The cup was actually a section of bamboo. Interesting and saving environment by not using plastic cup. We bought 4 of it and will be bringing the bamboo cup home. Finally bought my dad’s shirt at this store. The woman was i think an Indian. Her English is good and thought we were Thai and spoke Thai to us whole time before we asked for price in English. She said we wore and looked like Thai. Err… dont know would she give us extra discount for looking like a local or not. There’s oso people performing in the middle of the road. Infront of them, they placed a bowl for donations. Young kid below 5 years old to old couple above 60 years old. Performing dance, songs and playing instrument.

Although I’m not against them selling their talent in the middle of the room, but they were blocking the road making it so hard for ppl to walk through. There’s dis woman who was crawling on the road from one side of it to another begging for money. The place was already so crowded already, she still crawling on the ground. Dont know if there will be ppl tripped over her a not. Anyway, dont know wat festival they were having today. As there’s people releasing light lantern into the air. There’s a stage infront of three king monument. People perform traditional dance and others. There’s a store selling “Ancient Ice Cream”. It’s actually those Potong ice cream but dont know why they called it Ancient Ice Cream. We bought Coconut Cream flavour. It’s quite nice. Tot of buying something for ourselves but we couldnt find anything that is useful and nice. Felt hungry, we bought Pad Thai. But think it was placed on the serving tray for quite long le, tt’s why it’s cold. Still felt hungry after that, we went to 7-11 to buy 4 cheese hotdogs. It’s shorter than the long hotdog that we ate the day before. Finished it quite fast oso. Bought corn back to eat. We actually ate a total of 6 corns today. About 10pm, the seller started to pack up. We also walk back to our hotel. Reached back at 11pm. Ate corn. Super full.

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!