We travelled 1,714 km (it's like from BKK to Sin, return) in 6 days. Route took us from BKK-Chiang Mai-Pai-Chiang Mai-BKK.
Surprisingly, it was an pleasant though long (6 hrs from BKK to CM) drive. This was our first time driving to CM tough we have been going there annually for the past 7 years.
Before we left, I had many friends telling me how cold CM and Pai were going to be (7C at night). Since we were driving it made things easier as we could just dump everything in the car and not worry about excess luggage. Knowing how fickle weather here can be, decided to pack mainly hot weather stuff with 1 sweater.
We spent 2 nights in CM. There, I introduced my friend's son to one of my favourite Thai desserts banana pancake or banana roti. It's actually prata with banana (or whatever topping, but banana seems to be the best) inside and topped with loads and loads of sugar and condensed milk. It sounds very sweet but in reality, it's a wonderful mix of sweetness of sugar and banana mixed with the slight buttery/salty flavour of the roti.
Surprisingly, it was an pleasant though long (6 hrs from BKK to CM) drive. This was our first time driving to CM tough we have been going there annually for the past 7 years.
Before we left, I had many friends telling me how cold CM and Pai were going to be (7C at night). Since we were driving it made things easier as we could just dump everything in the car and not worry about excess luggage. Knowing how fickle weather here can be, decided to pack mainly hot weather stuff with 1 sweater.
We spent 2 nights in CM. There, I introduced my friend's son to one of my favourite Thai desserts banana pancake or banana roti. It's actually prata with banana (or whatever topping, but banana seems to be the best) inside and topped with loads and loads of sugar and condensed milk. It sounds very sweet but in reality, it's a wonderful mix of sweetness of sugar and banana mixed with the slight buttery/salty flavour of the roti.
Yummy banana pancake
We also visited the Night Safari which is as good as the one in Singapore but way cheaper, if you paid the local (ie Thais pay 1 price and foreigners a higher price) price. It was S$10 for adults and S$6 for children.
The trams here stop at every animal enclosure and spotlight the animals for people to see. This was my second time at the Night Safari but I still enjoyed it. It was really nice and cool too (about 17C).
Pai is only 100+km from Chiang Mai but because of the 700+curves in the road, it took us 3 hrs to get there. Had to stop along the way as the children felt a little quesy.
Pai is a small town (about 5,000 people) in the valley. Starbucks or MacDonald's hasn't made an appearance yet so it's relatively less commercial. There are many artists and hippies (leftover from the '70s) who live there.
Hotel called The Quarter in Pai. New and very niceWe went bamboo rafting. The children had a great time helping to row the raft and on one occasion almost capsizing it. Along the way we say beautiful bright blue and green dragonflies which I've never seen before.
After Pai, we headed back to CM. Had to visit my favourite furniture street (Hang Dong) to buy some furniture. I always love going to Hang Dong as there are many little shops along the way to stop and browse. The big market for teak furniture there is Baan Tawai. Over the years it has become very touristy and sells more knic knacks than furniture. But we had a really cheap and good lunch there. 360 baht (S$15) for 8 of us! That included 2nd helpings for adults and drinks!
No holiday of mine is complete without food. I must say that we had really good and inexpensive meals on our trip. I had my fill of Kao soy (which is the Thai version of noddles in curry) and I must say the best fried chicken in a small coffee shop in Pai. I was introduced to 'nam prick ong' which is a northern Thai dip. It's a little bit like salsa and eaten with vegetables and fried pork rind (totally unhealthy but sooo good).
Considering we were travelling with 4 children and 4 adults, I think everyone managed to have a good time .
Would we do it again? Yes. Already planning to drive up to Mae Hong Son next year.
Krisaradoi a small hotel that has a beautiful garden Went there for lunch
At the mae Sa elephant camp feeding the elephant
The Royal Rachapruek flora and fauna garden.
Go-karting is an activity that the kids enjoyed.
2 comments:
Wow, sounds like you had a great holiday!! The pancake looks delicious... I'm so yearning to have one now. The hotel looks terrific too, the flower patch is really beautiful.
You should go there as it's really laid back still. Now, I'm yearning for the pancake too!
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