Chiang Mai - land of the Farang

We took a 7 hour train with average a/c and annoying Aussie sitting behind us talking to some equally annoying Germans,  from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai. Arrived to a platform full of Farang (Foreigners) which up until this point we may have seen just 1 a day, generally an old man with a thai lady on a scooter. But here they are everywhere. This is the next Bangkok - heaps of bars and western places to eat. So we were a little put off at the start.

Our accommodation was excellent, clean, modern and great value for the 650 baht per night. Found the Australia Network channel again and settled into a comfy night in. The next day we awoke to delicious complimentary coffee and went for a walk in search of a Trekking offer we couldn’t resist. Unfortunately there are SO many people, shops, travel agents, scooter merchants and street vendors offering 1-4 day treks, that it became all to confusing and overwhelming. So much so that we have decided to wait till Chiang Rai for the trekking, to ensure a less cluttered and Farang invaded experience.

 Instead we hired a scooter and the next day saw 4 amazing sites. First Bhuphing Palace, a winter residence for a few weeks a year for the royal family. Amazing gardens and very cool in temperature as it’s further up in the mountains. Next we scootered another 4km up the hill (very good roads most of the way) to the Dui Pui Hill tribe village. Where I bought some jewellry and Dave was happy to witness some poppies in action, as well as try out a village cross-bow. After looking at some stunning views, we scootered back down the hill a couple of km’s to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep - which is one of Northern Thailand’s most sacred temples. It was incredibly busy and beautiful - even if it was hard work up the stairs to reach it.

Next stop, Chiang Mai zoo, which is huge and cheap to get into. Apparently one of the better Zoo offerings in Asia. We jumped on a little bus that takes you to each section of the Zoo, first stop was the Elephants and Giraffe’s. Thailand is so awesome as you can pay to do almost anything, and that includes feeding and touching animals that are normally off limits. We paid 20 baht to feed and touch the elephant - who was huge and absolutely beautiful, smart and overwhelmingly magnetic for the both of us. We just stood and stared and gushed and took pictures and a video and had our photo taken next to him, while he snorted and flapped his ears and wiped his amazing eyes with his trunk. I am absolutely in love with Elephants and I suspect Dave is too. We scratched a Giraffe on the head while kids fed him beans, took a bus to the Gibbons and assorted Monkey’s, which Dave loved and I did not (yuk!). Then debated whether the crocs that were completely inanimate, were alive or dead.

That night we went to another market, where we actually bought a lot - a antique monk pendant, fisherman’s pants, a hand made cotton top, an elephant key ring and a light cotton top. I am also starting to get obsessed with Elephant silver jewelery, I already have a bracelet and a jade elephant necklace. Dave is obsessed with linen shirts and finding them cheap. He is always bartering and as he says ‘it’s insulting if you don’t’. We always hear the thai’s say ‘I like you, so I will discount’, which is generally a little drop from the asking price. It’s hard not to drive a bargain, and not to forget your are scwabbling over a couple of dollars. I hate bartering with Tuk Tuk drivers now, as they are becoming the most entertaining way to travel, always funny, always cute, always asking too much, always polite!

Off to Chiang Rai today on a 3 hr bus!