I always wanted to go to Chiang Mai, northern Thailand and finally, I made it!!
16 Jul - Woke up early and headed straight to the airport to catch the flight at 8.50am with Silkair! With meal and entertainment, 2hrs 50mins passed so fast and we arrived at Chiang Mai, Thailand at 11am. As we were unable to check in, we went for body scrub instead while killing time.
Booked a tour at 1pm and drove up to a mountain to visit white Hmong village. Halfway through the slope, the van broke down. Our tour guide was so calm and quickly rearrange another van to pick us up within 15mins. Up in the mountain, we climbed up the stairs to see a colourful garden with splendid view of the city. Spent 40mins on the mountain and head to Doi Suthep temple, one of the north most sacred temple.
The temple is located uphill and can either take 309 steps up or by a tram. The pagoda is covered by gold and looks really stunning with the blue sky. There was a legend about the white elephant lifting the relics of the Buddha and those story can be read at the pagoda (I forgotten the story actually). Anyway, great view of the city at the front of the temple! Worth a trip!
Evening time, we headed to Ploen Ruedee night market for our dinner. It seems like an international night market selling all sort of food. Burger, Thai, western, sausage, grilled chicken wings.. I highly recommended to try the Khao soi (egg noodle curry) and Sai Oua (grilled herb sausage) over there. Those were the delicacies of northern Thailand! Egg noodle curry taste like Singapore Laksa! Yum! Went to the night bazaar around the corner and got tons of items back! It was great shopping! Must try the ice cream (something like cold stone) where they will make the ice cream from scrap and mixed the flavor you want! Worth 30mins wait! The night ended with facial scrub! Lol
Flying off
17 Jul - woke up early again! This time, the tour is at 8am! It's a busy day today! First stop - After 1 hour, arrived at Mae Kah Jan hot spring to grab breakfast on the go. Then, another 1.5hours drive and arrived at magnificent white temple! The temple is similar to other temples in Thailand, just white in colour and with mirrors around. Inside the temple where no picture is allowed, look at the wall painting. You might just find superheroes featuring on the wall. Add abit of humor.
Next up, lunch near to the golden triangle before taking the boat ride from golden triangle to Mae Sao, Laos border market.
The boat ride at Melong River Wheres the border of 3 countries meet. Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. The tour guide told us the story about no man island where a lot of people were killed where trading opium in the past. Scary! What's interesting is there are 3 sculptures at each border. Thailand is the Buddha where it will pray and protect the people in Mekong River, Laos and Myanmar have casino (crown shape). As we all know, Buddhism doesn't encourage casino. I wondered who will go to the casino at those borders...
After 15mins ride, we arrived at Mae Sao, Laos. We don't need to disembark from Thailand but need to present passport at Thailand for a temporary visa. The tour guide encourage us to have a sip of whisky brewed with animals like snake, tiger penis, turtle and scorpion.
Wandered around the island for 30 mins before heading back to Thailand. Bought some shirt from the market and also a coffee to perk myself for the long day!
Then, went over to golden triangle to understand more. It was called golden triangle because in the past, opium was exchanged with gold and triangle because it was the shape where 3 countries meet at Mekong River. Thankfully, now golden triangle is safe where no more trading of opium.
Last stop for the day was Karen long neck village. That was the highlight of the day to see the long neck villager to put the gold bangles on their neck to look pretty and also protect from bitten by tiger. Interesting village where they handmade scarf for sale as well. The village is also very rundown. They were originally from Myanmar and settled in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It is just amusing to see tribal like this in this advanced world! Another 4 hours drive back from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai. Finally arrived back to the hotel around 9pm. Went for dinner and Thai massage to end the day :)
Amazing white temple
What a view
Mekong River splitting the three countries 
18 Jul - it's been an adventure! Last day in Chiang Mai, woke up even earlier! 5am as we need to be at the lobby at 5.30am to catch our driver. Shortly after the ride, we arrived at horizon village and resort where the crews were preparing to heat up the hot air balloon. Yes! Hot air balloon! I struggled for a while before I booked the tour because it costs 8,800baht (S$350) for an hour ride with breakfast! Nevertheless, we went ahead and booked it!
We were lucky that the sky was clear. Within minutes, the crews had finished setting up and the instructor asked us to hop into the basket to join him! The basket can contains 5-6 people. It was pretty hot inside the basket as the instructor has to keep lighting the flame/ burning the gas to keep us floating. In a few second, we were above the trees and float higher and higher! To be honest, I was nervous and scared because I am afraid of heights. The hot air balloon fly as high up to 2,000 feet. The view from the hot air balloon on the countryside was breathtaking. Unlike been in the tower, I can feel the wind blowing through me, the engine from the car, the bird chirping and basically unblock panorama view. It was peaceful to me. Enjoying the scenery 2,000 feet above ground. The sun rise view is just worth waking up early to enjoy it!
We even wave to the residents! The instructor just guided us through the temple, over the resort and it was just amazing! I had so much fun beside have to endure the heat from the flame! The landing is abit scary but we landed safely!
After the ride, we had breakfast buffet at the resort before presenting the certificate and champagne party to celebrate the balloon landing. It's been a custom. I am proud that I have done it! I highly recommend to do it. They are very professional and you only live once.
Hot air balloon - Checked :)
My head is not on fire!
View from the top
Went back to the hotel after the celebration and it was just 9am. Went straight to bed again and woke up at 11.30am for the second adventure, tiger kingdom! After almost 30mins ride, finally arrived at Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai!
There are a few packages you can purchase and we decided to purchase the ticket for small tiger and big tiger for 1,000 baht. There were about 4 small tigers in the cage and we were guided by a keeper. We were only allowed to touch and rub the lower body of the tiger or play with the tail. It was scary yet exciting for me as this was my first time touching a tiger. Real tiger! The fur felt like dog or cat and very quickly, I'm comfortable in the cage and began to snap a lot of pictures with the Tigers. The bigger tigers are abit more intimidating but yet, it still safe to touch them.
After touching so many tigers, we had quick lunch at the resturant before rushing back to the hotel and grab our bags to the airport! Heavy traffic jam on the way back to the hotel and thankfully, we were able to make it to the airport on time. It was an amazing trip!!
It was a busy yet fruitful trip where I had so many first time in my life. Tiger, hot air balloon, golden triangle and Laos border. Thanks for the wonderful company too to make this possible!
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