Day 8 - cm d2
I wanted to sign for a tour to visit the golden triangle
So we signed up for a full day tour to Chiang rai
Which includes visit to hot spring, white temple, black museum, golden triangle
The tour was 1000 bahts per person
Starts at 7am to 8pm
The person warn us that the car trip back will be 3hours!
The van came at 730am
We were the second last to be pick up
And had to be seated in the squeezy and lack of aircon last row
We read on the plane's magazine that Chiang Mai is very popular with china tourists
And it was cny holidays
Apart from another couple, the whole van was of china tourists
Which were not the best tourists to travel with
It crazy how china tourists really invaded Thailand
Because most signs were written in Thai and Chinese
And the people are can speak a little of Chinese!
The hot spring was actually a toilet stopover
After about 1hour drive
So we spent only 15mins there
A lot of people were soaking their legs
But we were not so adventurous
And just took some photos
I think I tend to sleep in car to avoid car sickness
We were so surprised how I seem to be able to keep sleeping
Even in the uncomfortable seats
After another 1+ hour drive, we arrived at white temple
It was hot and really crowded
Basically a queue to enter, turn a round and leave
Kind of remind me of tourists visiting notre dame in Paris.
Husband was energetic to visit while I'm constantly looking for shade to hide
Although lunch was included,
I thought the tour will bring us to some touristy place and we must pay.
But they brought us to a local eatery near the temple, with other tour groups.
Lunch was hainanese chicken rice with free flow of fried egg, vegetables and soup.
I'm quite glad not to pay for nicer food.
After was another 50min drive
This time husband managed to sleep a little
I think is after lunch perfect nap!
The black museum was some sort the home of an artist
I dont find it interesting and dont like the amount of animals skins, horns etcs used
We found a place to have a coconut and rest.
We didn't want to go to the Karen longneck tribe
Because we felt it must be very commercialized
Our group has a few persons who signed up for that so we had to go with them
But didn't went in to visit
But stayed outside to eat an ice cream
And walked around the shops.
Finally, we were heading to the golden triangle!
Initially I thought we can have the passport chopes of Burma and Laos
But we didn't
It was basically a boat ride down the mwkong river
Which was flowing down the 3 countries
We did had a stopover at a Laos island
Which the guide claimed to sell thing much cheaper than Thailand
And spent 30mins there
I managed to buy a powerbank and some socks for husband
Not really sure is cheaper than Thailand
There were many kids asking for money
And the guide warned us that if you give to one, others will follow you
If you give them money, they will skip school to always come ask for money
I found a few free candies in my bag
So I just gave candies to the kids
It is definitely not a pleasant feeling to see the kids.
We then took the boat back and arrived at 5
The guide inform us that it will be a 4hours drive back to Chiang Mai!
There will be a toilet break after 2hrs
We tried to find some snacks but nothing much interest us
Lucky for me, I fell asleep shortly after
I woke up about 1.5hours and husband was struggling to fall asleep
But was unsuccessful and feeling sad that he may fall asleep fast when we arrived.
I tried to accompany husband and played on my phone
Wrong choice!
I got car sick in less than 3mins
And was really feeling unwell trying not to vomit
Luckily we arrived the toilet stop
Which was a shop selling local goodies
I managed to find a pack of sour stuff
And felt better after.
The van reached chiangmai at about 9pm
We were the last to alight at 940pm
We were discussing to stop at some where for dinner as it was late
We couldn't made the decision in time
I remembered there was a street stall opp our hotel
And was hoping that it was open
Lucky for us, it was opened!
We only had 2 choices
To eat stew pork rice at the street stall
At 30baht per person
Or very expensive hotel restaurant where 1 dish is about 200baht onwards
I managed to persuade husband to go for the street food
And was glad it tasted fine with many locals coming fo it.
After so many sleeps on the van,
I was still able to fall asleep at the same time as husband
I'm so well suited for road trip! Haha
I wont really recommend this trip unless you have a lot of time to spare.
It's not expensive but its really board the bus to sleep and alight the bus to take photo kind of trip.
就是上车睡觉，下车尿尿。
Day 7 - cm d1
We were to arrive at 650am at Chiang Mai
The staff woke us up at about 545
And started to keep the bed
Husband only slept 4hours as he was engrossed in his book
We arrived Chiang Mai on time
And was greeted by the cold breeze
It was 16degrees!
We took a taxi (tuktuk van) to our hotel in the old town area for 50baht each
As our hotel was not ready,
We went for breakfast
And start visiting the temples and explore the town
By 11am, the temp went to 31degrees!
We managed to survive outdoor till 2pm
Grab lunch nearby the hotel
And book for the next day tour
We finally check in to take the long-waited shower!
Because we cancelled our previous booking due to the visa saga
By the time we booked, most hostels and hotels were full.
We had not choice but to book a more expensive hotel which end up to be a big suit with separate living room and nice view!
I guess it nice to pamper ourselves some time!
After a rest, I chase husband out to go to the night market
We had to take the shared taxi again as its about 15min drive but I think it was 30/50 baht per person.
We accidently went to 1 of the better Thai food restaurant
It was voted no50+ on trip advisory
The food was good but more expensive than the average places
But lucky for us, the queue starts after we went in.
Husband "dragged" me to see the river after dinner
In the night market,
Things are pricer than BKK and bargaining was really hard
But we were running out of clothes to wear so we need buy to survive
We wanted to take the shared taxi back to hotel
And they quote us at 200bahts for 2!
To our surprise,
A tuktuk quote us 200bahts too
So we took the tuktuk back
Finally an official tuktuk ride!
We rested early for the day
As the tour car will pick us up at 7am for our full day trip....
Day 6 - BKK d2
Since we were taking the evening train
We tried our best to stay in hotel till checkout
I even went to 7-11 to get breakfast
And waited till last moment to take our precious shower for the day.
We went to the Jim Thomson house
And was surprised that entrance fees include a tour
We both enjoyed the tour despite the hot weather
When we were leaving, I saw there was a shuttle tuktuk to the main street
And I pulled husband along to satisfy my tuktuk wish
And the ride ended in 5min haha
We then went to mbk to hide from the sun
I managed to buy a fake gopro selfie stick
Which served us well for the trip.
Because of husband's xl size
We tend to pay more for clothes
Sales are often for size s-l
Husband saw a tee that he really like
And I managed to use my "candy bargain" method
The owner wanted to sell the tee and shorts for 400baht
After bargaining awhile,
She agreed to sell at 330baht
I only wanted to pay 300baht and tried persuading her
But she wont budge
In the end I told her to sell me at 300baht
And I will give her a candy
Which I pick up at the massage parlor
She laughed and agreed
And husband was so impressed! Haha
We then had lunch at an unknown fast food restaurant
Took the bts and metro to the train station
Is near and not so near
We went to collect the train tickets which I booked online opp the station.
It was early so husband decided to walk to the Chinatown nearby
Which seems near on map
With the luggages, hot weather, bad traffic and getting lost
We didn't managed to find it
And settled to have coffee
We went to 7-11 to buy dinner and snacks
And board the train shortly
The train left promptly at 1840.
A French couple were our top bunks
And their friends were next to us
Suddenly we were surrounded by French!
Although we feel bad taking the better lower bunks
We can't bear to give it up to the French couple
The lower bunk was really spacious and convenient compared to the top.
And my father in law warned us about how he was freezing through the night in the top bunk previously.
We didnt eat the train dinner set
Dinner was 190baht per pax
As we start eating our 7-11 dinner
Husband didn't bought enough and I was greedy
And we spent 120baht to buy the expensive chips in train!
The beds were set up at 2100
And I was happy to retreat into my bed
The only bad point was my phone was low batt
While husband enjoyed his book
Being the smart wife, I bought a pack of baby wipes to clean ourselves in the train.
Which saves husband's life haha.
I fell asleep short after using the mosquito patch
It's like sleeping in a moving car
Initially it was quite hot but cold in the middle of the night
I think it was a nice way to travel despite being 13hrs ride and small simple toilet
But we save hotel for the night!
Day 5 - bkk d1
We were carrying our new backpack as hand carry for tiger airways
I think we were worried that the bag will be too big to classify as hand carry
But all went went and husband was happy that we were assigned to the exit row.
Again, I came down with a migraine
And spent the flight trying to sleep.
I think the last time I went Bangkok was many years ago before my sis had kids!
I'm glad they developed the airport city rail
So easy and cheap to reach the city center!
I think we paid about 90baht each and 1hour to our hotel at national stadium bts
Near to mbk to start my shopping haha.
Despite my mum's warnings
I still indulged in the street fruit stalls and charmed husband with the delicious mangoes.
And I lost count of the times we ate from street stalls but luckily no tummy pain.
For lunch, I managed to convince husband not to eat Japanese or pizza
And we ate at the mbk food court
Stew pork rice that tastes very teochew style
And tom yum soup with instant noodles
Food was not bad
And we got hooked on Thai milk tea for the rest of the trip.
I think I have been away from BKK for too long
I was constantly searching for the 100bahts kind of good buys from my memory
While everything was more 200bahts now
Thankfully husband was nice enough to accompany my shopping
Although we didn't buy much
And paid for an expensive Thai massage in mbk at 700bahts each!
Oh well I needed the massage and husband needed the experience
After a short rest
I bought husband to the infamous patpong night scene
Initially I wanted to take a tuktuk
But the hotel estimated it will be 200/300bahts
So we took the metro for 25bahts each.
We took time to walk a little at the night market
Before I was lured into naraya and convinced husband to start buying gifts
I wasn't interested in watching the Thai girls show
Especially after reading online how they can extort money at exit
After compromise, we had a drink at the a go go pub instead
With girls/"girls" dancing in their bikinis.
At least we just need paid for our drinks.
Then was a trip to the 7-11 for snacks, rice with mango,
And buy some BBQ sticks outside hotel for dinner.
Husband was not really into the BBQ
But I was happy to eat a good supper.
Day 1 -arriving sg
It's the first time we are taking British airlines
With a transit at London
Normally I have difficulty sleeping in flight
And it didn't helped that 2 rows behind us
There were 2 ladies speaking loudly till 3am
They were so loud that I can hear clearly their conversations
Husband was surprisingly sleepy
That he slept 10hrs out of the 13hours flight!
Anyway arrival was smooth and we arrived at sis home shortly.
After we settled down and took a shower
We went for dinner with Aven
And ate the long-missed Xiao long bao
And ended our first day in sg.
Day 2 - cny eve
Due to my visa issues,
My sis and family booked a cny trip
Before I could inform them that I can fly back
So this year we had a relatively quiet reunion dinner at bro home.
In the morning,
We went for breakfast and food shopping with mum
Had some very desparate bad overpriced fried carrot cake because no shops were opened
At least husband had a taste of carrot cake.
The whole day was practical spent eating, watching tv, lying around and doing nothing.
Husband commented that every cny eve we do nothing at bro home
Well, I guess my purpose was to accompany mum when the others leave for reunion dinner at in laws homes
But she always MIA somewhere.
I can spend some quality time with the aged nono....
Usually, I will watch the cny eve show on tv
But I don't know is it because it was so bad or we were tired
We managed to fall asleep before cny countdown, haha.
Day 3 - cny d1
Since sis and family were not around
There was not enough car seat for us to bai nian with them
I think I don't miss seeing my relatives
And good to save the ang baos
So we just had breakfast at bro home
And went for a tourist day with Aven.
I had been telling husband that he must taste a good fast food burger
And spoke to him about Carl juniors
And we managed to have it for lunch!
Husband agreed that the burgers were much better than what we can have from fast food in Paris.
Next was visiting the touristy river hongbao
To me, it felt exactly the same as 2015
Or maybe just me being uninterested
Then we took the very expensive duck tour.
It was $37 for 30mins per pax!
There was a little discount for locals
But still very expensive to me!
It was a good information ride for husband
And a history lesson for Aven and me.
Through the day was just drinking coffee
and wandering around
It amazed me how many shops were opened!
I remember that when I was young
The only shops opened on cny will be fast food restaurants
Sg must be really becoming a shopping city
To attract people to spend even on cny d1.
We ended the day with dinner at four fingers.
My first try at Korean fried chicken.
Well, I think the trend started when I was leaving
With a few outlets in sg so I didn't tried
I think the chicken is nice but I prefer my fried chicken with no sauce
So I think I will stick with popeyes chicken.
Sis and family returned from their trip
And we came home to excited kids
Trying to tell and show us everything
From ice skate moves to Taekwondo...
Trying to have our attention as they can
Soon we all went to bed to save energy for next day.
Day 4 - cny d2
During our planning for Thailand trip
Husband mentioned that he wants visit the Chiangmai zoo
I'm always wary of zoos because of all the stories I heard about how animals are not well cared in some zoos
And I don't want to be the tourist paying for them to encourage the operation of bad zoos.
After I googled about Chiangmai zoo
Most reviews were not great
Many suggested visiting Singapore zoo instead!
Since we only visited night safari here
I asked sis and family along for a zoo visit.
I dont know is it I'm still recovering or I'm unable to adjust to the weather
I was definitely not as enthusiastic as husband or the kids
And I kept getting mirgraine
That only stopped a few days after
I blame all the flight trips.
I think only husband tried to speak to all the animals, haha
After the long hot day,
We had Japanese food for dinner
Husband was totally impressed by nabe and sukiyaki
He kept reminding me how limited choices we can have in Japanese restaurant in Paris.
How he is going to miss the variety here.
At home, husband get to entertain the kids
While I packed for our Thailand trip
Knowing that it will be a shopping trip
I brought stuff that I can throw away through the trip and less than enough clothings.
Husband being husband insist on bringing his best and enough clothings
That I told him I'm sure he will regret his choice.
A little drama happened at home.
Since husband joined the kids at the zoo water playground
I told him to wash his shorts and Han outside to try to bring for the trip
My mum being my mum insisted I do it for him
But I was busy packing
Suddenly I heard loud noises in the kitchen
And I knew husband must have dropped the hanging bamboo
Because he is the icon of misfortune! Haha
I scolded husband a little but he must be feeling so bad
Worried that he may killed someone
Well, we managed to find the shorts 1 level down
But mum can't find any bamboo or dead body.
So I guess no one was killed.
