Chiang Mai - Day 3

This morning we visit another “Doi”, “Inthanon”, the highest mountain in Thailand (2,565 meters above sea level) The mountain ranges gave birth to the main tributaries of the Ping river and formed many waterfalls.



On the way down we visit Phra Maha Dhatu Nabha Metaneedol and Nabhapol Bhumisiri which are the Buddhist places of worship containing the Lord Buddha’s relics from many original. The Royal Thai Force constructed the stupas in commemoration of their Majesties the King’s and Queen’s Sixtieth Birthday Anniversaries in 1987 and 1992, respectively.




The last stop before heading back to town, is Doi Inthanon Royal Project Research Station which we limit the visit at 1 hour sharp, otherwise some of us including me may miss the flight back to Bangkok. Step down from the car one will be greeted by the hill tribe children presenting the cut-flower reminding me of a recently hit Thai song ….หนูเอาแครอทมาฝาก....

Chiang Mai - Day 2

Today after breakfast at the same place as yesterday morning, we then return a car before joining our friends at Royal Flora Ratchapruk. Visit many sections that I missed them the last time I came here.



For me, an umbrella is a "must" to bring along for this event.





Though the temperature in the morning is under 20 degree celcius, it is still unbearable to be under the sun at midday so we spend our time in the Exhibition center taking pictures and writing some postcards to those who can’t join this trip.


At Morocco Garden

Tong’s friend, Khun Pom, pick up us from the event to “Bann Rai Yam Yen” restaurant (บ้านไร่ยามเย็น). The place offers local cuisine such as kaeng hang-le (northern-style pork curry), kaeng ho (spicy curry of bean vermicelli), sai ua (Chiang Mai sausage), lap (minced meat, cooked and highly seasoned), nam phrik ong (chili paste with minced pork and tomatoes), which usually goes with khaep mu (crispy pork rinds) and nam phrik noom. Pe Paew enjoy dinner very much since there is a folksong playing 1970-80’s country song.

My first trip in 2007 - Chiang Mai - Day1

A plan to visit Chiang Mai and Royal Flora Ratchapruk has been added to my schedule one more time due to many friends will be there too. After arriving at the airport we rent a car and head to “Patchkit House” near Suan Dok Gate to check in. It costs Baht 650 per a twin en-suite bedroom with air-condition (though it is not necessary for me at this cold weather).



Having breakfast at “Ton Pa-Yom” fresh market before visiting “Bann Den” Temple around the Mae-Ngat dam.



Since we are on the road leading to Fang, a plan to visit Lampoon is changed to “Ang Khang Royal Agricultural Station” of which I and Pe Paew wholly support since we have never been there before. The station is designated for conducting experiments on possible temperate plants to be grown in Thailand. The experiment is aimed at promoting the cultivation of cash crops to replace hill tribes' opium plantations.



A restaurant and beautiful landscape flower gardens are offering here including guesthouse. We are so lucky that there is a “Thai Sakura” for us to take pictures with.



Sunset at Doi Ang Khang
We spend time non-stop shooting pictures. I am so glad that for today there are only 5 ladies, otherwise we might get complaints from those tough guys who think that “flower is just flower”. Then it’s time to go back since the route is filled with steep s-curves.



Final stop for today is at “Ka-Lae” restaurant at the reservoir near Chiang Mai University. The decision is made on its flower garden at the restaurant. I went to this restaurant in 2005, the food is fair, but this time we all agree to recommend the “fried cat fish with grapefruit” spicy dish (ยำปลาดุกฟูส้มโอ). (Sorry no picture since I am so hungry that I forget to take the picture.)

In the first working week of every year, it is one of TISCO traditions to greet new year with K.Sivaporn and his family at home in the morning.

Life still goes on as usual for us (almost – since I would be avoid seeing movies at the theatre for the time being), another party for welcoming the new year is held at Nong Aoy’s house.
The children are playing music before the older generation: their dad and uncles are trying to take over. The youngest one in the band is “Ply”, probably less than 10 years old.

A very sad year-end day

It is one of the very upset and sad days that bombings had occurred in many places in Bangkok and Nonthaburi province. Whoever had even thought of doing this should be resigned from being a “Thai” citizenship.

New year party at Khun Sivaporn’s house. Can’t count how many dishes I have. “don’t drive drunk” (campaign from the government) and with no good luck on game, I am one of the first group to say good night. From what I hear, the party is over around 2-3 a.m. in the morning. (hopefully that Pe Aoy who came to the party with me did not loss all she had, so that she could go home by Taxi.)

Lunch at China Gate restaurant with my family. It is one of the top picked restaurants in 2006 by Bangkok Post. The price is on the high-end. For me, the taste is good but there might be some that is better, but I can't name one right now.

A dinner party hosted by Dr. Niran and his family at Tohkai korean restaurant to celebrate Khun Sivaporn's Birthday in advance since they will go back to the State in first week of January. With the songs and cheers we make, Pe Tim said that next time she would close the restaurant for us. I have a lot of grilled bacon; thick and juicy, all together about 1 small whole pig.

New Year gift from Treasury.




New Year lunch at Jae Ngor for both ex- and existing Treasury.

Dinner at China Palace, Surawong Rd. to welcome Dr. Niran and family to Bangkok from the gang.

Lampang Province

With a very cold weather in the northern part of Thailand waking up around 6 a.m is a very difficult thing for me. Our first stop is a must-see attraction for Lampang trip, “Wat Phra That Lampang Luang”.
The temple itself is prominently sited on a hillock surrounded by wall. The entrance arches, called Pratu Khong, is adorned with fine plaster designs. The wall-less main Vihan houses a bronze Buddha statue called the Phra Chao Lan Thong. To the back is a golden Chedi in Lanna architectural style containing a Holy Relic. Also in the back is another Vihan with beautiful murals on wooden walls, said to be the oldest in the North.



We then have lunch at “Krua Mukda” of which I highly recommend for both the taste and price.



Our last stop for the trip is at Nakornsawan Province, where we shop at "Chan-su-wan" shop for ขนมเปี๊ยะหิมะ โดยจันทร์สุวรรณ์ โมจิ and have fish ball noodle at the nearby stall.

Lampang Province

A trip is arranged with the good reason that one of our friends, Noo Da has moved to Lampang province. We arrive at Lampang in the morning and go straight to a market for some appetizers like fried pork with sticky rice, pa-tong-ko and Thai desserts before stopping at this small shop offering rice with soup (ต้มเลือดหมู).
Lampang is famous for its horse-drawn carriages and with a rooster as its provincial emblem.
http://www.tourismthailand.org/destinationguide/list.aspx?provinceid=40



Our first sightseeing stop is at Tri-luck Cemetry and then at Wat Chedi Sao Lang (วัดเจดีย์ซาวหลัง). The temple has 20 Chedis in its compound, each made in the combined Lanna – Burmese style.



Then we proceed to our accommodation for tonight, “Rai-Ya-Chae-Son Resort” about an hour from Amphoe Mueang. For our group we stay in one big room which can accommodate 16 of us as per the picture on the bottom right.



In the afternoon, we visit Chae Son National Park with the hot spring over rocky terrain. There are bathing facilities for health purpose. It costs only Baht 50 per person for private room and Baht 20 for common room.



Near by is the 6-level waterfall, of which I walk to the first level only. Some of us climb the stairs to the second and third level.

My friends and I watch "New Year Light Decoration" from Paragon to Amarin Plaza.

Go with my mom to see the highest Christmas Tree in Thailand at Central World.

Bang Nam Phueng Floating Market

My third time to this small and friendly floating market. New to this market are Dr. Niran, Pe Tim, Pe Aoy and Pe Thanom. Dr. Niran and Pe Tim came to Bangkok yesterday. After enjoy shopping Thai deserts at the market, we then have lunch at Jae Ngor.

Referring to my question on November 22, 2006

The answer to "cool in the hole" or เย็นในรู is Icecream. I am sure that those who is probably at the same age length with me may have already tasted some. However, I can't vouch for this one since I was too full on that day to try one.

We stop by to have coffee at this lovely place before visiting Ban-pa-ngam resort (บ้านผางาม).



Then visiting Thap-Lan National Park (อุทยานทับลาน).
Lan Forest and Rest Area is the last natural palm forest. The rare palm trees in this area have yellow flowers during April and June. In the Park, there are also dry dipterous carp forests and rainforests which are the habitats of wild animals, and a variety of species of birds.
http://www.tourismthailand.org/destinationguide/list.aspx?provinceid=16&typeid=7





Our last stop for today is to have lunch at Krua-Rim-Klong (ครัวริมคลอง), another recommended restaurant for those who happens to be around the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, Nakorn Nayok Province.

2-day trip to Wang Nam Khaeo

Jungle View Resort, a supposed-to-be-our accomodation for this trip.

Another good opportunity not to miss going out of Bangkok as it is long weekend. We decide to visit Wang Nam Khiao in Nakhonratchasima Province. Our first stop is at "ครัวเขาใหญ่" (Khao Yai Kitchen) on Thanarat Road. It serves very delicious food though its rule is to accept only one time order per table. Customers need to make sure that they order enough food since there are lots of customer.

After the big brunch, we then go straigt to Wang Nam Khaeo to look for a place to stay tonight. We haven't reserved any place and plan to look around first at Jungle View Resort. Too bad it is full and also some others resort along that road.




We finally get an accomodation at "สุภัทรวาริณ" resort, of which the price is very good. A one-bedroom house with a large balcony. It is a small scale resort so we have a privacy for some of us who prefer to sleep in tents.



Apart from the tents rent from the resort, Pe Sombat also brings two tents for this trip. So we are trying to set up the tents in front of the house.



These three little dogs are so cute that Pe Paew are thinking of adoption one of them.