Northern Thailand Trip. Day 1-2: Kuala Lumpur - Chiang Mai
After about a month from last tripped to the Uzbekistan, we visited yet another fascinating destination, Chiang Mai. Situated north of Thailand, this is the fourth city we've been to.
We flown to Chiang Mai in the afternoon with an uneventful journey, once we entering the province. It was the worst air turbulence we had experienced. To make it worse, our flight were not allowed to touch down and had to make circular cruise, for at least 15 minutes. Nevertheless, the flight managed to land safely 10 minutes early from the scheduled time.
It was 10 past three, we were approached by Mr Mouthien, offered a ride to the city center for 200 baht, a nornal price. He also offered a car rental service for 1500 baht per day and after bargaining, he agreed to give free airport transfer on the final day... yeszaaa!!!
We arrived at Chiangmai Grandview Hotel & Convention Center, about 10 km from the airport. The hotel was also the venue for the IEECon 2020 event, which i presented on the first day.
Once we stepped into the main lobby, there was a registration counter for IEECon and a lady wearing a familiar uniform. She is a nurse! Before we proceeded with the event registration and hotel checked-in. There was nurse nurse who took everyone's body temperature! Well, it was in the news that the Covid-19 has been spreading all across the world.
Thank God that everything went well. Throughout our stay, there will be a hotel personnel at the main entrance that will check our body temperature, whenever we were going out and return to the hotel. Hand sanitizer were also available at all common areas.
Situated in lower-laying of the Himalayan Mountain, the historic wall of Chiangmai fortified the city Lanna Kingdom in the early 12th century. Much of the attraction located inside the city wall that surrounded by moat. The wall itself has been restored although the purist criticized the originality that based purely on the "piece of imagination". Does anyone taking the picture during the old days??
The Grab taxi dropped us by the roadside in front of the Tha Phae Gate, the eastern portal to the city wall. It was still early in the evening, and what I read from the net, that dazzling night bazaar closest to the gate selling portraits and works of local artisan, but its yet to open.
I'm taking picture of you, at Tha Phae gate
Let's feed the pigeons!
It was originally known as Chiang Ruak Gate
We walked towards the inner city wall, passing by restaurants, small-scale hotels, cafes and the like. I would like to recommend you to get a stay within the city wall. After around 20 minutes, we visited the Lanna Forklife Museum. It is an interesting museum full of exhibitions about the lives, history and culture of the Lanna people of northern Thailand. Entrance fee was THB 90 and THB 45 for adult and kid, respectively, but we bought 3-in-1 museum passes including the visit to the Three Kings Monument and the Chiang Mai Historical Center for THB 180 and THB 80.
Walked along the Rachadamnoen street
A nice boutique resort
We haven't yet to ride tuk tuk...
Jom masuk muzium..!
A white colonial style building
Majority of Lanna people are Buddhist
One of the exhibitions about the lives, history and culture of the Lanna people
Zoom in to the Lanna manuscript
Lanna's embroidery piece
The Lanna Kingdom's court
Opposite the Lanna Folklore Museum, located the Three Kings Monument, in memory of the alliance of three northern Thai-Lao kings who made a great contribution to the founding of Chiang Mai.
Alliance forged between Phaya Ngam Meuang of Phayao, Phaya Mengrai of Chiang Mai and Phaya Khun Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai
Nice wooden crafting
Akak nak berapa ela kain nie?
Lawan kumbang
March is consider as 6th month in Lunar calendar
Demonstration on paddy cropping activity
Behind the Three Kings Monument, situated the Chiang Mai Historic Center. We were intrigued with the archaeological sites in this compound, the ancient walls.
The territory of Lanna Kingdom
Zoom in to the city wall
The new structure of Nawarat Bridge crossing the Ping river
The new bridge was an Italian engineer inspired, by the name of Count Roberti
Pictures taken during the old days
Two archaeological sites located behind the historical center
The ancient wall that surrounding the Phra Kaew Temple
The original excavation sites
We strolled along the Jhaban Road to reach the Wat Chedi Luang about 15 minutes. Thailand, Chiaang Mai specifically has a lot of, I meant really a lot of temples. Doi Suthep is the most popular as it located high in the mountain. We have to skipped that as my wife was not in good shape due to recent tragic case ;-(. I don't want to elaborate on that.
Instead, we walked to Wat Chedi Luang, another prominent temple that one should visit. Built in the 14th century by the King Saen Muang Ma planned to bury the ashes of his father, but later it was left unfinished.
Donation boxes representing the lunar's years
Vihara of the Cruciform Temple
The upper structure collapsed after an earthquake in 1545
Elephants is the symbolic link to Thailand
Vihara of Luang Pu Mun
Stopped for drinks @ Araksa cafe
A simple and nice cafe
Before dusk, we took tuk-tuk to Anursan night market. There was a small Muslim community near to the night market. We stopped at the Masjid Hidayatul Islam Banhaw and later had dinner at one of the nearby halal restaurant.
Haaa... muka nampak penat dah
There were buskers, muay-thai show as well as cabaret-show.. :P
Anyone?
Get some souvenirs at this shop..:P
We took pictures with the Imam after the Maghrib prayer
Thinking of the same idea as what Zarin did in his wrapping up post, I'll do the same for the sake of my own record. This post will be updated from time to time. Some of the trip may have a specific write-up and you may click on the travelling month. Here is the world travel map, courtesy of TripAdvisor. A bit of Statistics: Total countries visited = 22/195 [Last updated : September 2023] Our Travel Map. [Courtesy of TripAdvisor. According to them, we only covered 13% of the Earth at the moment :P .... still long way to go and we didn't show USA map as to when we will be there]
Sarapan pagi kat airport We had been rotating to visit the Southeast Asia country each year and this is the fourth time visit to Indonesia after Bali (2010), Bukittinggi (2012) and Bandung (2014). Looks like we made a return every 2 years, that's interesting! We may need to consider other countries like Brunei, Philippines or Cambodia in the near future. Three hours later, we arrived Lombok International Airport at noon. We were welcomed by Pak Ibrahim's staff shortly after clearing immigration and collecting our luggage. The weather that day was slightly overcast. En route to Teluk Kodek Port, we stopped at Sukarara Weaving Village. By the time we reached there, it was raining heavily. It is a traditional craft of weaving center located in Lombok West Nusa Tenggara. Not much seen as it felt, we had ayam taliwang for lunch at Taliwang Alam Nyaman restaurant, known for its famous local dish. Alpukat Jus (Avocado Juice) is also a must try whenever you vi...
Watch out! It is a zika-free :P trip to the city of light that we had on the 2nd mid-term school holiday, apart from the 'balik kampung' to Ipoh and JB on both week end. My wife managed to secure a stay for 2 nights at the 'Rumah Peranginan Persekutuan' where it supposed to be a big family trip with my siblings. It was a big vacation house, which I believe can cater at least 15-20 people. For some reasons, they had to turn it down. Note: Pictures taken are not in the best quality as I'm still get my hands on the new DSLR camera.. wink.. wink..
After about a month from last tripped to the Uzbekistan, we visited yet another fascinating destination, Chiang Mai. Situated north of Thailand, this is the fourth city we've been to.
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