Hot & Spicy Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai...Part 3

The bridegroom's cousins took us back to the hotel however, we wanted to go get eye-more, couldn't find any in local pharmacy then I suggested to go to d BIG C...yes, u can find a lot of things there. It is Thailand's hypermarket.I always love to go there whenever I am anywhere in Thailand. I usually get some of my toilettery supply here..It is cheap like tooth paste, lingerie detergent & Loreal range of product. I even get Thai chilli paste here for fried rice, Tom Yam paste & Tom Yam instant noodle. ...crazy huh!


After Big C, we went back to hotel and we got out again (without the cousins as they went back to the village). This time we went to walking street bazaar which open only every saturday.Just don't want to miss it. It is very near the hotel however we need to take a tuk tuk there.Got the receptionist to call for us . Cost abt 80THB. (fyi ,the return trip was only 60THB).Heard that tis walking street bazaar is better than the daily night bazaar and this is where the locals would go & prices are rather reasonable.

And the moment we enter the bazaar is about abt food food food..and yeah we couldn't resist them. As we walk we bought food. And it was cheap. The price was abt 20 -25 THB. And lot's of clothing and souvenirs (you name it) ...better than our pasar malam. And not so many repetitive of each stalls.I love it. Weather that nite was a bit chilly but pleasant to walk around with fresh air. U just wanna grasp the air as much as possible.Just feel good abt it. And u don't sweat either. And the bazaar is never end and it was hive of activities. FYI, it was 2 days before Loy-Krathong.And on the street vendors were selling "Gong Ming Deng"- the white huge latern and also bouquets of flowers for offerings and to be released into the river.

We didn't buy any that cos we wanted to wait ...hoping prices would go down and fresher flowers....LOL! Clothings were cheaper than BKK. As u don't need to get wholesale price of 3 pcs like Platinum mall (prices were between THB100 -190) depending on what you want. Sellers here don't go down the prices that much).I tried and they will just ignore you. You can do it at the night market.A lot of ppl sell winter clothes like from China which I don't think that they will be that cold compare to China which is freezing cold during winter. Chiang Rai was quite mild for me that you only need a shawl with a long sleeve top. (may be it was too early in Nov that the winter has yet to set in).But I saw the locals were wearing winter jacket & I was only on T shirts & jeans. even Cameron Highlands or Genting are colder. Guess coming from my previous experience in Shanghai, this is so mild.

Half way thru the bazaar, we saw a huge field....OMG...FOOD AGAIN! this is big area for food only.Lot's of food that U probably never seen before.I bought 2 drumstick with soya sauce ("si yau gai')...Guess how much ?U will never get the price in our pasar malam..It was only 50THB for 2 pcs (FYI, it was the drumstick including the thigh).Ayam percik in our pasar malam would cost RM4.00 - RM4.50 for one pcs.And it was so tasty....so yummy!Only one stall that sells that. They have got wings as well as chicken feet if u love them. We were looking for a place to sit down n to enjoy the food however we could find any. The locals were like just picnicking on the grown with just a mat or newspaper and they truely enjoyed the food and chatting & drinking...nice weather.So syiok!

Well, since we couldn't find a place to sit, we continue to walk and we saw huge latern nearby (for loy -kratong) and ppl were doing line dancing there...so happening. And there was also a Top competition (Gasing) .Wah..it has been donkey years I see ppl spinning top with such a great skill.Then we walked further down I saw flower hair clip which I wanted to buy so long however, KL is expensive and it cost more than RM10 @ the Curve flea market. Guess how much I got it there....120bath for 3 pcs (different style) and the girl gave me one free clip (not the flower type). And the seller was a beautiful lady, she demostrated on her beautiful hair and passers by just couldn't help themselves but snapping pictures of her non stop. She look so beautiful to be at the bazaar. A lot of ppl buy from her too. The bazaar seems so long that we were so tired and called it a day. So we made a u turn, the bazaar was long way to go & never end. And we continue to shop on d way back...bought a few more T shirts...LOL!Very tired indeed....To be continued

Hot & Spicy Chiang Mai /Chiang Rai..Part 1

Haizzz....2 days before the flight, received an sms that AA flt to Chiang Mai will be earlier from 10.30am to 7.30am...Can u imagine, I have to leave d house by 5am d latest. Wake up by 4am

Goshhh.. always pack my back last minute.So I packed till 2am...i have got only 2 hrs to sleep comfortably before boarding AA flt.

Well, this is my second trip to Chiang Mai.Been to most places by motorbike (within Chiang Mai)and infact I have travelled to outskirt like Mae Sa,Mae Hong Song & Pai district by 4 WD.It was indeed interesting and adventurous. One should try this. It's very beautiful & worth the money .Paid around 4500THB 2 years ago for this trip.Inclusive of 3 nites accomodation,2 meals, 4WD with driver (you can drive yourself too) plus all the entrance fees to where ever we go.

The main reason, I was in Chiang Mai was to travel to Chiang Rai to attend a wedding. I always love to see the local culture. and ...yeah dreams come true.

I reached Chiang Mai around 9.30an (local time). There was a delay of 20 min as announced by the captain.And he also informed us that there was a military exercise and the plane has to stay out from the Chiang Mai Air space.My heart was pumping when I heard this cos I thought there was a riot going on in Chiang Mai and the plane has to stay out

Finally when the captian announced "Cabin Crew, please be seated for landing"...it was such a relieved. We took a taxi (approx 2300 THB).We sat comfortably in something like Toyota Innova.Made a stop in Chiang Mai City to grab some food.Driver took us to eat thier famous congee...real yummy indeed. We had some Thai version Dim Sum...no chili or sweet sauce but gave us black vinegar...taste funny but OK.

Chicken Congee ala Thai (very smooth like cantonese porridge)

It says Roasted Pork Rice..I guess this is Thai style

Thai Dim Sum

It took us abt 2 1/2 hr to reach Chiang Rai. On the way, we saw many small stalls selling grilled corn and grab 2 sticks...YES stick they have got this bamboo thrust into the corn. Very easy to eat instead of holding the corn itself that made it hard to eat like our version.Hands got dirty and messy.Love it very much.They don't grilled it at the stall and they kept the corn hot in a styrofoam box.FYI, the corn tasted DAMN good...very sweet and not dry like ours.It is a MUST TRY. The scenery to Chiang Rai was awesome...reminds me of going to Kedah via the coastal road.

Finally we reached our hotel - Palm Garden http://www.thepalmgarden.com/ . Paid abt 767THB per nite with bbf. Very clean (room & bathroom -m very particular), friendly staff including the GM who is an American married to local Thai wife.They will greet us whenever they see you of course with Amazing Thai hospitality. They are a bit out fr the main city however I really don't mind since m staying in the city already and I just don't want to land myself in the city again. Tuk tuk is easily available.Just get the receptionist to call for you.The hotel is over looking the paddy field .What a view! Basic facilities.Only 1 restaurant that serves b'fast every morning. FYI, No elevator.Choose to stay on the 1st floor.

At around 3 pm the bride & bridegroom (bro in law) came to the hotel...bought us some local food (kuih)...macam macam ada.Like some only. Then took us to Wat Rong Khun which is just 10 - 15 min to from our hotel. It was WOW!Just take a look at the pix. It is all white.Still under construction.They are building something beside which is GOLD in color. A must go place.

Wat Rong Khun

Then later we head to outskirt which took us 45 min to reach. It was the bride's house. Errr...can't recall the name.Is a simple village. And directly outside the house is a market. So easy if you wanna grab anything.And there's mini mart beside the house.Behind the house is a river. The bride's father breed cat fish there. There were lot's of ppl at the house helping out to get ready for the big day. All the villagers came voluntarily to help out. They were bz cutting veges, pork, beef etc.When we reached there,we had a lot of food to eat but what it is I had no idea. Then they served hubby some spirit (HOMEMADE)....GOD KNOWS WHAT IS THE ALCOHOL CONTENT...I guess is worst than tuak...it is made of glutinous rice.

Some kuih muih ala Thai

Neighbours & Relatives came to help on the pre-wedding day

The bride's mom make us BBQ pork with special chili sauce.Then later in the evening the aunty made us cat fish soup and had it with glutinous rice (sticky rice) They hardly eat steam rice.The fish was fresh and the soup tasted like Tom Yam but it wasn't spicy...specially tailored made for us. Mind you Chiang Rai people eat EXTREMELy spicy food. M a fan of spicy food however I couldn't take it. It felt like the volcano is going to errupt....yeah! Because of the spiciness, I had gastric pain for 2 days and lucky me to have brought along Zantac and restrain myself from eating chili for the last 4 days I was there. Drink milk every now & then

Grilling Pork

Cat Fish Soup.

Their Som Tam too tasted different...very salty & spicy, they used fish sauce and prawn sauce/paste (very strong smell of belacan & Kelantan's budu. I do eat belacan however I have stay away from this one). I prefer the one I had in BKK or Hatyai. Sweet, Sour & Spicy.

Zzzzz...To be continued.

Koh Samui/Koh Phangan - Part 1

3 weeks ago, I had my first maiden flight with

Fire Fly
to Koh Samui from Subang Airport. Check in took sometime as the counter staff said there’s only 1 counter to check in to Koh Samui but she seems to look like a trainee to me cos she got her colleague’s assistance most of the time. Should she not familiar with the system , have her training in a mock up area before putting her on a real one! She was slowing down the check in que cos she was like sort of figuring out how to use the system.

Subang airport is under a major renovation or facelift. With new design, it is going to look very futuristic. So it was very dusty inside. You just don’t want to stay inside for that long and inhaling the dusty air.

While in d flight I didn’t expect anything cos this is a low cost flight as usual. And guess what, we have got muffin (taste good or was I hungry??ummm) , coffee/tea & juices and they offer us 2 rounds…Not bad huh!.

The interior looks very new (guess this is the newly purchased plane) . We have our seat right at the front. Good cos it is not near the engine or propeller. By the way, the entrance to the flight is at the back and those at the front seat are last to get out.

And finally 2 hours of flight , we finally reached Koh Samui Airport. It was a smooth landing by the Captain.KUDOS! This is an open airport (no aircond lar) and you could feel the heat. Very beautiful.

Outside Koh Samui Airport (a lot of outlet)

Shuttle to ferry us to main building

Aerial View of Koh Samui

As I reached the arrival hall, was quite blur , thought of getting a taxi like any other airport. FYI, there’s no taxi but there’s Mini bus or limousine. So, if it is just you or 2 person traveling, I suggest you take the Mini bus (buy the coupon over the counter) but if is a family of 4 or 5, make your calculation which is much cheaper for you .

Mini Bus (van) Price for all destination

I have planned for 4days /3 nights in Koh Samui but 1 night in Koh Phangan.. So, I purchased a transfer coupon to Maenam Pier (150 THB pp) to take the Lomprayah Ferry (250 THB pp) leaving at 12.30pm to Koh Phangan (Thong Sala Pier).

While waiting at the pier, we are kind of hungry and had fried rice with prawn ...guess how much?...110THB!!!??? And this is a price that I will not pay for cos is too expensive but what to do this is the one and only restaurant available.Eat it or get hungry!For "kwai lo's"..is definately cheap here.

And the hotel that I have booked will provide free pick from the pier but I have to inform them what time my ferry was. You can actually inform the counter staff when you purchased the ferry ticket to tell the hotel. Keep the hotel contact with you. FYI, Lomprayah ferry will be suitable for those who take Firefly from Subang and planning to go on the same day. There are a few ferry services leaving from different pier. Info is available on the net. Lomprayah ferry do provide free transfer when you return to Koh Samui and drop you at your hotel door step or even to airport.Just tell the counter staff where you are heading to when you purchase the ticket.

I heard so much about Koh Phangan like the full moon party. The have got half moon /full moon & black moon party. Is a peak season during these period therefore most hotels are at higher rate.They followed the Chinese lunar calendar or you may search for the specific date of the full moon party on the internet. There is a schedule thru out the year.The party will start at late night till the wee hours and some hotels do provide you transfer to this party at Haad Rin area and pick you up in the next morning.

Well, I wasn’t interested in the party but the island itself. I have booked myself at the Grand Sea Resort http://www.r24.org/siameservices.com/kohphangan/grandsearesort/pictures.html

which is about 5 min from the pier and they were there to pick me up. And don’t expect a limo or car but Toyota Truck (sort of). I booked this resort becos I read so much of good things abt this resort thru hotel reviews. Not how fancy or décor or facilities but the people here and they have nice Thai architecture.

I was a bit disappointed as I entered the resort cos I saw there’s a construction going on behind the rooms that I booked in…gees...this is going to spoil my holiday. And they didn’t place an announcement on the internet where I booked my room. As I have been working in hotels for many years, one must inform guest when you are doing renovation or constructions.So it is up to guest whether or not you want to stay at the resort. And I have already paid my room and I can’t go anywhere. And I state my dissatisfaction while check in. So the wife called the husband who manages the resort, and here he comes Mr Duncan ( a british) and yes he understand me well and very helpful, got me a room near the pool and sea. He provided us info on where to go and where to enjoy sunset.

Rented a bike (200 THB – Auto/ 150 THB – manual). I strongly suggest auto even though u dunno how to ride. Is ez if you know how to balance a bicycle. And my hubby had never ride on an auto bike, he is so used to changing gear and using the leg to start the bike. However, this auto thing is kind of new. He didn’t how to start and it was just a push of a button. We stopped the bike and we couldn’t start it and tried numerous time and we started the bike by accident. Then the bike need some air and we told them, there’s something wrong with start button. But that boy make it so ez that it started by just a push of button and we finally came to know we got to press the break while he pushed the button and when we put down the stand, it will automatically switch off, we need not use the key or button to switch off…ummm how advance! And how DUNGU V R!

Kind of hungry when we arrived, we traveled up north with a bike and reached a small town with 7/11 and some local food around. Couldn’t resist and bought some thai pork sausages with glass noodle…YUMMY ! Went inside 7/11, bought some junk food like Lays potato chips…so cheap only 20 THB for the smallest pack. It is very expensive in Malaysia and bought a beach slippers – 79THB. Cheapest slipper so far cos the rest of the shop are selling 150THB and above. I like 7/11 in Thailand cos they have got quite a range of stuff to look at. Even Food was quite an array – u only need few minutes to heat it up like pasta,pizza,Thai noodles (not instant noodles), hot dog (varieties), Chicken burger,porridge, siew mai, pao,even prawn dumpling…can’t resist and bought prawn dumpling to try out (38THB) per bowl – 5 pcs. Is frozen and they just heat up by micro oven for 120 sec.It comes with soup and spring onion too. Very tasty & prawns taste fresh.So if you are hungry and want a quick food and cheap, 7/11 are everywhere near you. Prices for the food range from as low as 20THB to 60THB…To be continued

View Photos here Koh Samui/Koh Phangan

BANGKOK JAM!

Sawasdee ka!

Again m in Bangkok for the 5th time I guess. And thanks to air asia for the low fare. But I hate this flight cos it was delayed by 2 hrs leaving KL & when I came back from BKK. Reached BKK abt midnite. Went to bed straight ZZzzz.

This time, I have 2 have China friends & one Malaysian. Went to touristy places like Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Shopping at World Trade Centre,Pratunam Centre & market.Where I stay , check this out http://www.staybangkok.com/watana.html. Need not take the package they offer. Just go for room & breakfast basis. From new airport, just walk out from the airport building (walk out from gate 8), go to the counter and get a coupon (no payment require), get a taxi from here.Print out the map & address in Thai from the site & show it to taxi driver.It is by metre.Cost no more than 350 baht to this hotel. You will probably bombarded by airport limo taxis as you exit the arrival hall just ignore them (they are legal) but expensive. Why pay so much when u can use a metre taxi which is Toyota Altis - clean & running fast & colorful...pink...errr eeew, orange, blue etc

This hotel is convenient though not near the city.Is a service apartment,very basic & clean. Need not pay high cos you will probably out the whole day.Nearby the hotel there is MRTA station (subway) -Sutthisan station which takes you to everywhere & also connects you to BTS station(skytrain) interchange (Sukhumvit) to Asok station.On the first day, like all tourist we went to Erawan Shine to "report" oursleves..the famous "4 face buddha", then travel by BTS to Saphan Thaksin to take a boat ride (don't take the unlimited wholeday boat @ 120 baht - not worth it), just get into the local tourist boast cost us 20 baht to Tha Thien pier to Wat Po & Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). To go to Wat Arun , from Tha Thien take a boat across. (0.35 baht).


From Wat Po you actually walk to Grand Palace (may be 1 - 2km) walk.There's entrance fees to all the temples & grand palace too.respect the temple rules, don't wear shorts or short sleeves.You may not be allow to enter.Bewarer of liars telling that these places are close & take you for ride in their tuk tuk & charge you a BOMB.

Then at night we went to Suan Lum Night Bazzar near Lumphini Park. There's open food court with ppl singing on stage. Just enjoy the food . Not really expensive. You can food from 50baht. I tried something new, Raw Shrimp Salad.I must say it tasted real good. I dunno whether how clean or fresh is that shrimp.(Saw on TV , the shrimp must be alive when they wanted to make the raw shrimp salad). Cost us about 70baht for a small plate.Very spicy. The sauce consist of lemon juice (is a must to kill bacteria), fish sauce,chili padi, garlic, cilantro etc...The hot chili sort of kick in few seconds later. So get ready your cold drink beside you.

Must buy coupon and excess is refundable on the very same day before midnite.For those of you wholoves to drink beer & listen to local music, you will probably like it here. Don't even understand whta they are talking & singging. And here you can do some shopping too (I advise you to eat first & shop later). People who don't like shopping in the day time might like it here cos they only open at night. Things are a little expensive than Chatucak. If you are going to chatucak, need not come here.2nd day we went to all shopping centres.

Lingerie, tooth paste.tom yam noodle (mama brand) are relatively cheap here (go to Carrrefour, Tesco, or Central). You can also get dried pork meat (deep fried) in Bangkok (can't get in Malaysia). More choices of dried pork meat if you go to China Town (Hua Lam Phong).During weekend of course we didn't miss the weekend market (Chatuchak). From our hotel take MRTA Sutthisan to Khampeng Phet station. Traders don't really give you a good bargain cos price cos already very low here. Unless you buy a lot. U can bargain on certain things for abt 30 - 50% lower. Well all depends. Some are wholesaler here, therefore they don't lower the price anymore. So it all depends on what you want. Chatucak open very early on weekend only. Go early to avoid the late hot sun. Very big - take your time.

Massage are everywhere in Thailand. Well,I went to the one I familiar which is just next to Sutthisan MRTA station - Massage 7 - operated by Korean.2 hr for 300 baht...good deal!Open from 10am - 10pn.At the hotel I stayed in, they do have, booked it before 10 pm and they will go to your room - 500 baht for 2 hours.I went to Pratuman Centre (2nd floor) and had my foot massage @ 129 baht for 1 hr. Complete with head, neck & back massage...ahhh so good..after hours of shopping spree. Well, everyone offer the same price here.For bargaining conversation, you just need a calculator & press the figure u want.

Food - try everything on d street. Bangkok is famous for braised pork's leg rice ("ka - leg moo - pig)", freshly squeez orange juice & coconut water is a real thirst quenching.I suggest go for it.Other food that you must try are Mango with Glutinuous rice, Tom Yam Gung,pork sausages, local fried koay teow and their other desserts.

Bangkok jam - not really for us cos we travel very little by taxis. BTS provide a special preloaded card of 120 baht for unlimited ride a day. And MRTA will also provide a preloaded card where u travel at a cheaper rate.Well, calculate the cost whether is cheaper for you.Make your choice. They do have single journey ticket.

Overall shopping & massage is great here except that this time I have very bad foot & leg ache which made me no mood to explore more.Upper thigh muscle were in pain .Never happen like this before. Guess age is catching up...LOL!

View picture http://rockerteers2.multiply.com/photos/album/46/BANGKOK_JAM

kap khun ka!