Chiang Mai

magnusvv · #1 22-06-2005, 01:21

I just booked my hotel through latestays.com. I would have used the link through here since that worked well for me in the past, but they were about 500 baht cheaper. Hopefully I wont regret it. The hotel is called Tamarind Village, I saw that it came highly recommended on the hotel listings on r24.org. So for 1500 baht I thought I'd give it a try, especially since it is a smaller hotel, which I prefer.

It says this hotel is located in the old district of the city. I am hoping that it will be easy to get around from there to visit some sites and to go shopping; can anyone comment on that?

I will be there for 4 days/ 3 nights, although I'm not much of a city person. Is there a tour outside the city or some place that I should go that someone would say is a must see for a 1 day trip?

steve w · #2 23-06-2005, 17:43

yes there are loads, 2 i did were to the golden triangle/mekong boat trip and to doi inthaton national park ,thailands higgest mountain,both good

magnusvv · #3 24-06-2005, 00:18

Thanks, I read up on those and a few other excursions during lunch today. Now I'll just have to find out what the lady friend is interested in.

marc26 · #4 24-06-2005, 00:31

i stayed at the sheraton which is about as afr out of the main area as you can go, and it was easy to get around by tuk-tuk, also cheaper than bkk and phuket. if you like italian food, you have to go to piccola roma, it is absolutley fantastic. and i have been to italy a few times and lived in brooklyn ny so ive been to may italian restauarants

magnusvv · #5 24-06-2005, 22:14

Thanks for the tip, I like all food to be honest. Do they have something on the menu there appetizing to the Thai palate as well?

steveski · #6 26-06-2005, 09:57

Hi Mag,

I know Chiang Mai reasonably well, if you have already booked your hotel not a problem but if not let me know and I can make some suggestions if you would like.

I hire a scooter in Chiang Mai as you should be able to get one for about 150 baht a day. The tuk tuks are cheaper than Patong but at 40 baht a throw it does not take long to outweigh the costs of hiring a scooter. You can get to some of the outer lying things to see easily on the scooter to, the orchid farm and butterfly farm, no pun there, Doi Suthep is the temple up the hill from which you get a good view if the city and from there you will see what I mean about the pollution.
I have been going to Chiang Mai for a while and while I like it, now it is getting very polluted, but not as bad as Bkk.

If you want some suggestions for night life etc give me a yell and I will offer what knowledge I have. I think if you search there has been a fair bit written before.

magnusvv · #7 02-07-2005, 07:50

Thanks for the input guys. I'll keep the suggestions in mind. My flight is tomorrow at noon (17 hours from JFK to BKK). I just finished packing, loading up the ipod with new music, cleaning my camera lenses, and I guess I should clean up a little so my roommate doesn't think I left the place a mess.

Looks like Thai Air are showing only a couple movies I want to watch. Fever Pitch, is actually a movie I have been meaning to see, its almost a crime that I haven't since I'm a Red Sox fan. I wonder if that Sahara movie is any good? Its gonna be a long flight.

I'll post some pics when I get back.

steve w · #8 07-07-2005, 15:41

also there are some hot springs near chiang mai with geysers that shoot 25 feet in the air ,spectacular

magnusvv · #9 15-07-2005, 00:49

I have posted a complete trip report here with photos and all.