Monkey Show @ Chiang Mai Monkey Centre

After the freaking snake show, we went to Chiang Mai Monkey Centre

Little monkey

Well trained monkeys showing off their impressive talents.

Pumping and sit ups

And off we go for our lunch at Tiger Kingdom!

Human & Snake Fighting Show @ Chiang Mai

Freaking reptiles! Tagged along unwillingly as the show it is included in our pre-book tour.

Eeeww!!

Bloodcurdling shows that freaks me out.

But the others are enjoying the show....am just so not into it!

Mae Sa Elephant Camp @ Chiang Mai

We then, proceeded to the Mae Sa Elephant Camp! - Click the link to know everything about Mae Sa Elephant Camp! Interesting!

Amazing performance by the elephants. Nothing fascinating as I had seen many times before, but with my two companions, nothing boring here! We enjoyed the performance and the elephants are just brilliant!

Welcome to Mae Sa Elephant Camp

Elephant ride at own expense. 800 Baht /elephant.

Do try the hair raising ride! At least try once, before you die...If only, I can ride on a tiger or leopard, I will do so too!

She is thirsty!

And after the enthralling shows and ride, we were all hungry.... but we are heading for more shows before lunch!

Ban Tong Luang- Mix Hill Tribes Village @ Chiang Mai

Next stop- Baan Tong Luang Mix Hill Tribes!

I have seen much of the Karen people (also known as Kayan or Padaung) from television documentaries and magazines with different versions of origin and mythologies and here's my sharing.

The Kayan/Padaung are the Tibeto-Burman minority ethnic of Burma (Myanmar). They are the group of women that wears brass coil rings on their neck. It was explained by our tour guide that, during the olden days, when the king sees an unattractive women, their heads will be chop off! And hence, the ladies are wearing the brass coil rings on their neck as a protection.

Am not so sure how true it is, but it's kinda ridiculous. The other mythology I have heard - the brass coil rings protects the ladies from tiger's attack!

Hhhmmmm..... I should trust our tour guide!

In the late 1980s and early 1990s during the conflict within the military regime in Burma, the Kayan and the other tribes ran to the Northern Thai border area and lived with illegal status. It was then after that the Thai governments had a place for the mix hill tribes.

Baan Tong Luang village is a cultural preservation project. The village was opened to public in year 2005. The purpose of the project is to preserve the old hill tribes culture and to provide income for the hill tribes people.

We were all excited before our visit, caught a sight of the Long Neck Karen (Kayan) tribes and The Big Ear (Bakayo) ribes, eyewitness their lifestyle and left the village feeling bad and pity for them...

The Long Neck Karen

They earn a living by selling artwork and souvenirs to the tourists.

Us with them

We were told that, with the brass ring coils, the woman's life span is shorter than the normal people......

And why?? I asked the tour guide, do the kids actually have a choice not to put on the brass ring coils.....

Question left unattended...

Mae Ram Orchid & Butterfly Farm @ Chiang Mai

After brekkie, we started off with a visit to Mae Ram Orchid & Butterfly Farm.

Indeed, the orchids are beautiful! The hanging roots are completely exposed, no charcoals, no mounting orchids at cork bark at all. Looks simple but ain't easy to take care at all- ORCHIDS it is....

Beauteous! !

There are several orchid farms in Mae Sa Valley area. If you are heading to the elephant camp, do stop by to sight the charming and classy flower species. Besides fresh orchids, Mae Ram also houses butterflies farm.

The farm also offers a variety of souvenirs such as orchid jeweleries, gold gilded orchids and butterfly ornaments.

Orchid & Butterfly Farm, Chiang Mai:

Mae Ram Orchid & Butterfly Farm
3/1 Moo 1, Km 5.5, Mae Rim - Samoeng Rd., Mae Rim, Chiang Mai.
☎ +66 (0)53-298801-2

Suan Bua Mae Sa Orchid Farm
331 Moo 1, Mae Rim - Samoeng Rd., Mae Rim, Chiang Mai.
☎ +66 (0)53-298564

Bai Orchid & Butterfly Farm
3/1 Moo 7, Mae Rim - Samoeng Rd., Rimtai, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai.
☎ +66 (0)53-299588

Sai Nam Phung Orchid & Butterfly Farm
60-61 Moo 6, Mae Rim - Samoeng Rd., Mae Rim, Chiang Mai.
☎ +66 (0)53-297152 / 298771-2

Mountain Orchid & Butterfly Farm
320/1 Moo 1, Rimtai, Mae Rim, Chiang Mai
☎ +66 (0)53-297343 ☎ +66 (0)53-299853

Breakfast @ Holiday Inn, Chiang Mai

I have not mentioned where we stayed in Chiang Mai... Did I?

Initially we booked Shangri-La hotel and too bad it's fully booked! Rather disappointing and we were then offered Holiday Inn instead and yea..... we stayed there!

We did not took any photos of the room!! Hhhmmm, it's well kept and clean, just that the lights are too dim.

Our room includes daily breakfast buffet- Our daily kick start!

Extensive buffet spread

	Satisfied	Average	Work On It!	Not Applicable
ENVIRONMENT
Ambience	*
Cleanliness	*
SERVICE
Speed		*
Friendliness	*
Product Knowledge				*
FOOD QUALITY
Taste	*
Freshness	*
Presentation	*
Variety	*
Value for money				*
BEVERAGE QUALITY
Taste	*
Variety	*
Value for Money				*

Overall Rating: 6/10

Address:

Holiday Inn
318/1 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road,
Chiang Mai, 50000, Thailand

Khantoke dinner @ Chiang Mai

After Doi Suthep, the kind and understanding tour guide send us back to check in our hotel. Yea... we were all tired actually.

Feeling refresh after a bath, off we go to Khantoke for dinner!

Khantoke Palace @ Chiang Mai

Khantoke is actually a dining style. The meal is served on a wooden pedestral tray call "Khantoke", and the dishes are all authentic northern Thai delicacies.

Banana fritters were served before meal as appetizer and a bowl of clear chicken soup was served after that. And then a large wooden tray with bowls of Northern Thai delicacies were served.

• a bowl of fresh vegetables,
• a bowl of fried chicken,
• a bowl of mix vegetables,
• a bowl of pounded green chillies,
• a bowl of crispy pork skin,
• a bowl of stewed pork belly with peanut and tamarind sauce,
• a bowl of minced pork tomato paste
• a bowl of pumpkin fritters

All of the above are a fixed in a set and can be refill upon request. A simple and appetizing meal.

While enjoying our meal, there are performances of Thai classical dance and music. After the meal, sweet crispy rice and choice of coffee and tea will be served. There will be 9 dances and shows perform daily. Be entertained!

Due to time constraints and tiredness, we left after a few shows, the tour guide send the other family to the night market then us to our hotel as 2 of us ain't feeling well.

Thanks to our tour guide Xiao Yang, he sent us to the hospital opposite our hotel and helped us out.

Next day will be more interesting!

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Wat Phrathat is siatuated at the peak Doi Suthep hill-929 feet above sea level. It is more often known as Doi Suthep temple than Wat Phrathat.

It is believed that the temple was built in accord with legend of the holy relic, telling the story of King searching for an appropriate site to enshrine the holy relic.

A Lord Buddha was placed at the back of an auspicious white elephant and the elephant was let loose to roam. The white elephant made a final stop at Doi Suthep, circled and trumpeted 3 times and died on the spot. Hence, Doi Suthep was chosen as the place t built a temple.

309 steps up to reach the temple or you may choose to take the tram car - 20 Baht per person

The tomb of the auspicious white elephant

The golden Chedi, the most holy section of the temple ground. Go round the Chedi and make your wishes- may your wishes come true!

Impressive temple with unique Lanna style sculptures and golden statues. And also a perfect view of Chiang Mai.

Doi Suthep, an awe-inspiring temple!

Royal Flora Ratchaphruek (Royal Flora Garden) Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Royal Flora Ratchaphruek is a flower festival held 1 November 2006 to 31 January 2007 in Chiang Mai. It is a grand celebration hosted by the Royal Thai Government as a tribute to King Bhumipol (the world's longest reigning monarch) for his Majesty's Diamond Jubilee Celebration- 60th year ascension on the throne.

After the celebration, the Royal Flora Garden turned to be a favorite spot for tourist. The garden covers about 180 acres of site in the city of Chiang Mai with spectacle of 2200 species of tropical flowers and 2.5 million tropical plants.

Royal Flora Ratchaphruek (Royal Flora Garden) Chiang Mai, Thailand
It's a huge park that we can't possibly view everything if we were to walk- Got to go on the buggy rides!

The Ho Kham Royal Pavilion

The centerpiece of the park , Royal Pavilion a stunning building with attractive designation and a stunning sculptures. There are artworks on the wall dedicated to the King for his contributions as a leader to the country.

Constructed with exquisite Lanna (Northern Thai) style. The view of ivory white Singha and other sculptures are just beautiful.

Do visit if you have any plans to Chiang Mai!

Do you know?
Ratchaphruek - is the national flower of Thailand. It's yellow in color. Perhaps Google helps??

Thai Style Curry Laksa @ Chiang Mai

We were all hungry upon our arrival at Chiang Mai around 2.30 pm (Malaysian Time). While we were on our way to Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, we stopped by a simple lunch.

A quick snap. I can't read Thai- We stopped here for lunch!

Thai Curry Noodles served with preserved vegetable and onions and chicken drumstick. Thick curry gravy and tender chicken. Good but a lil' small in portion or probably I am big eater?

And our journey of the day begins......