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Published: February 1st 2007
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Saai and Gai
in the Kingdom Cafe It’s been about 1 year since I was last in Chiang Mai. My circumstances were significantly different in 2006, but this trip has confirmed my love for this northern Thai city.
One year ago, I took an overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. For this trip to Chiang Mai, I flew with One-Two Go, a discount airline. What’s it cost for the 1 hour flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai? Around $40 each way.
We arrived around 1:00 on Monday. There were quite a few logistical issues to sort through that day. We first went to 3 Sis Bed & Breakfast (www.3sisbedandbreakfast.com) so I could check-in. The Bed & Breakfast is near Chedi Luang, one of the larger Buddhist temples in the city. 3 Sis Bed & Breakfast is a simple but clean place with around 8 rooms. My room is on the 3rd floor (top floor). As is typical, it is customary to leave shoes at the front door, and then be barefoot inside. So if you really like my sandals, they are sitting in front of 3 Sis B&B. Don't let me see you walking around in them though. They're the only pair I've got and
Tuk Tuk in Chiang Mai
in the back of a Tuk Tuk Monday night I won't be happy to see them gone.
After checking-in, we went to meet up with Saai’s friend Gai, who she is staying with this week. Gai used to go to Saai’s church in Bangkok before moving to Chaing Mai to work at Kingdom Book & Café (www.kingdombook.com), a Christian book store and café southeast of the city center. Since Gai was at work, we met up with her there. Gai runs the café portion of the business, which is on the 2nd floor and overlooks the book store. It’s really a great place to hang out, and considering they offer free wi-fi, they appear to get a steady stream of customers with laptops. We spent about an hour or two there before venturing back into the main area of town.
The plan was to meet up with Saai’s friends Jor and Honey from Bangkok who were visiting Chiang Mai with Jor’s family. However, they were running late, so we didn’t end up connecting with them until 9:00. By that time, the Kingdom Book & Café was closed, and Gai had gone home (whereever that was). More on that later…
Anyway, we went with Jor and Honey
Libernard Cafe
I'm a huge fan. Here is Saai in front of their sign. (close friends of Saai's from her university whom I met last year) to the night market in Chiang Mai, a popular spot for shopping east of the city center. We wandered around there for a bit, and around 10:00, figured it was time to get to Gai’s place. Granted, we didn’t know where it was but Saai had her cell phone.
The most common public transportation options in Chiang Mai are a sawngthaew or tuk tuk (air-conditioned taxis are available, but not common here). The sawngthaew is the cheapest option (other than a bus). It’s basically a pick-up truck with two rows of seats in the back. They often will refuse to go where you want to go though. Anyway, all attempts to get a sawngthaew were unsuccessful that night, but we did manage to convince a tuk tuk driver to take us for a reasonable price. We first had to get to Kingdom Book & Café, break in (just kidding - although closed, someone was there to let us in), and grab Saai’s luggage. Then we called Gai and handed over Saai’s cell phone to the same tuk tuk driver to get directions. We drove, and drove, and
Royal Flora 2006
International horticultural exposition (November 1, 2006 - January 31, 2007) drove. Then called, and drove some more. Then called, and drove some more. Finally, Gai got on her moped, and found us. The tuk tuk driver had to follow Gai to get to Gai's apartment.
By 11:00, Saai was situated and I was on my way back to the 3 Sis Bed & Breakfast with the same driver (he was getting plenty of business from us on that night!)
The following day, Saai got dropped off by Gai at my place, and we were off to Libernard Cafe. If you've read my blogs of my trip to SE Asia in 2006, you've heard about Libernard Cafe. I really like the atmosphere of this place, the staff is friendly, and they have great banana pancakes and Cafe Latte's. I couldn't wait to go back. The previous manager, Lloyd, was gone (Visa expired) unfortunately, but we quickly befriended the owner who is running things again. Rest assured, the banana pancakes & Latte's are as good as ever.
Following the late breakfast, we headed to the Royal Flora exposition. I didn't really know what to expect, but it was pretty impressive. Rather than spend too much time describing it, I'll
Saai
at Royal Flora 2006 just post some pictures and a link (
Royal Expo). We had a great time, but it got to be a little draining in the heat. Not that it was that hot, but hot enough. We also managed to get a blizzard at DQ (Dairy Queen). Love it!
That night we checked out a restaurant featuring northern Thai food (Huen Phen) that was close to my Bed & Breakfast. I have to say that I favor the Southern & Central Thai cooking, although, this place was good too.
That gets you caught up through Tuesday night.
The elephant ride, bamboo rafting, etc to follow soon...
Look! There goes Dave!
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Ryan
non-member comment
Hey!
Dave! You're back in the land of smiles! How long you stickin around for this time? I'm due to arrive mid-March myself! Good to hear from you again! =) Talk soon! Ryan Edmonton, AB, CANADA