The Chiang Mai Deet Dance
September 16th - 19th
After Bangkok, we flew north on Nok Air (the most disorderly airline I've ever been on) to the 2nd largest city in Thailand: Chiang Mai. Though much smaller and more low-key than Bangkok, you could still taste plenty of pollution in the air. It didn't help that the primary form of transportation around the city were open-aired, 3-wheeled scooters called "Tuk-Tuks". Though, it must be said that Tuk-Tuk is the only way to go!
I am embarrassed to admit this but, after leaving the Peninsula Hotel I was a little....ummm, well, let's just say I just needed to be knocked back to 'hotel reality'. My first impression of the Tri Yaan Nu Ros Colonial House: I freaked out! Maybe
our decision made by rock, paper, scissors wasn't going to pan out as we had hoped. But after taking a chill pill (literally) I sucked it up and ended up staying for all 3 nights - after all we did spend $30 USD a night, and that's a lot in this city. We took advantage of all the amenities: the mosquito net, mosquito coils and plenty of deet. As it turned out, the Tri Yaan Nu Ros Colonial House was awesome! 8 rooms surrounded a lush courtyard and small pool, it had a traditional Thai feeling. Everything was made of teak and our room key was a pad lock, very charming. One night it rained all night long - and thats when the geckos decide to share the room with us...I didn't know they chirped!
We rode elephants and navigated down the Mae Kong river on bamboo rafts, walked through rice patties and hiked to a hidden waterfall. We also visited a few "native tribes" that weren't all that native... felt more like they were shuttled in for a day of work. Not exactly authentic!
Street markets and Thai Massage seemed to make up most of the economy in Chiang Mai... we experienced both. Street vendors were everywhere and virtually impossible to ignore. As for the massage: for only 200 baht ($5USD) an hour we were escorted (separately) to private rooms with no windows, except for the very small, frosted one on the door. Inside the room: a
mattress on the floor...that's it. It was a good massage, but I couldn't relax. Make of this what you want....I have my opinions of what goes on here.
Chiang Mai was great and more of the Thai experience we were looking for... we enjoyed the night markets, ate yummy food, and just relaxed. A very enjoyable 3 days.
You can view the rest of our Chiang Mai pictures here...
After Bangkok, we flew north on Nok Air (the most disorderly airline I've ever been on) to the 2nd largest city in Thailand: Chiang Mai. Though much smaller and more low-key than Bangkok, you could still taste plenty of pollution in the air. It didn't help that the primary form of transportation around the city were open-aired, 3-wheeled scooters called "Tuk-Tuks". Though, it must be said that Tuk-Tuk is the only way to go!
I am embarrassed to admit this but, after leaving the Peninsula Hotel I was a little....ummm, well, let's just say I just needed to be knocked back to 'hotel reality'. My first impression of the Tri Yaan Nu Ros Colonial House: I freaked out! Maybe
our decision made by rock, paper, scissors wasn't going to pan out as we had hoped. But after taking a chill pill (literally) I sucked it up and ended up staying for all 3 nights - after all we did spend $30 USD a night, and that's a lot in this city. We took advantage of all the amenities: the mosquito net, mosquito coils and plenty of deet. As it turned out, the Tri Yaan Nu Ros Colonial House was awesome! 8 rooms surrounded a lush courtyard and small pool, it had a traditional Thai feeling. Everything was made of teak and our room key was a pad lock, very charming. One night it rained all night long - and thats when the geckos decide to share the room with us...I didn't know they chirped!
We rode elephants and navigated down the Mae Kong river on bamboo rafts, walked through rice patties and hiked to a hidden waterfall. We also visited a few "native tribes" that weren't all that native... felt more like they were shuttled in for a day of work. Not exactly authentic!
Street markets and Thai Massage seemed to make up most of the economy in Chiang Mai... we experienced both. Street vendors were everywhere and virtually impossible to ignore. As for the massage: for only 200 baht ($5USD) an hour we were escorted (separately) to private rooms with no windows, except for the very small, frosted one on the door. Inside the room: a
mattress on the floor...that's it. It was a good massage, but I couldn't relax. Make of this what you want....I have my opinions of what goes on here.Chiang Mai was great and more of the Thai experience we were looking for... we enjoyed the night markets, ate yummy food, and just relaxed. A very enjoyable 3 days.
You can view the rest of our Chiang Mai pictures here...
posted by Meg at 12:34 PM
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