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AhPek Biker - Riding Adventures
Thailand Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son Loop 2024 Days 1 & 2: Sawadee & Welcome to Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand Day 01 & 02: 9th & 10th January 2024 (Tuesday & Wednesday)
This is part of a non-cycling road-trip tour of the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son Loop, Thailand. Day 1 & 2 covering Chiang Mai & Huai Nam Dong:
This is page 1 of a 10-page blog, Click Here To Go To Title Page.
| Go to Other Days | D3: Pai >
1. Traffic Directions!
Traffic in Thailand, is right-hand drive, so drive/cycle on the left. Same thing applies when crossing the road, take note of the direction in which traffic is approaching from!
2. Getting to and around Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai & it's surrounding locality is a favourite tourist destination and many airlines fly direct to it's international Chiang Mai Airport (CNX). We flew Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai, buying our tickets 2-3 months earlier and paid around MYR600-650 (approx. USD135) per pax for a basic return fare, without checked in luggage and other frills.
Our tour package was for ground arrangements, and included a 10-passenger van to take us around the Mae Hong Son Loop, starting from & returning to Chiang Mai. It also included relatively good hotels/homestays. Charge per pax was at a very reasonable discounted rate. This excluded meals (other than hotel breakfasts), airport transfers, entry tickets and tips. This allow for individuals to have meals according to their own liking & budget. Allow THB100-150 per pax per meal should be adequate.
Note: Malaysian Touch n Go debit cards can be used where Alipay is accepted, such as at 7-Eleven outlets. Just ensure that the cashier use set the exchange to Thai Bahts.
Note: Malaysian Touch n Go debit cards can be used where Alipay is accepted, such as at 7-Eleven outlets. Just ensure that the cashier use set the exchange to Thai Bahts.
Those interested in joining this guided tour can contact Eddie at +60-612-2600, whom we find was a very good & flexible guide and very attentive to our needs
3. Route & Traffic Conditions
Most of Thailand's main roads are paved well well-maintained and almost without portholes. In outlying rural areas, roads could be gravel & un-tarred. No toll is charged for most roads (including highways)! Traffic at the rural areas is fairly light, but there are traffic jams in Chiang Mai try to avoid peak hours.
The Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son Loop roads are renowned for their scenic beauty AND also the many turns and bends. It is known as the Snake Route with 2,000 bends, some of them very sharp hair-pins, so do get motion-sickness medication in case you need them.
The Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son Loop roads are renowned for their scenic beauty AND also the many turns and bends. It is known as the Snake Route with 2,000 bends, some of them very sharp hair-pins, so do get motion-sickness medication in case you need them.
4. Weather
Weather at the Chiang Mai & Mae Hong Son provinces differs a lot between day & night time and between the lowland and highlands. November to January temperature ranges from daytime high of 33°C to a night-time low of 14°C. At highland areas like Pai, Doi Inthanon & Pang Oung, night-time temperatures can go as low as 10°C. So to bring warm clothing and practice layered clothing to keep on warm and still allow for stripping during hotter time of the day.
5. Communicating with Each Other
When travelling in a group it's important to be able to communicate with each other, especially if one got lost from the rest. Many Thai pre-paid phone sim cards can now be purchased on-line prior to the trip and delivered within a few days.
We separately opted for DTAC & SCT-AIS sim cards.
DTAC Happy Tourist Sim for calls & data covers a period from 8 to 30 days with unlimited data and cost about 40-50THB per day. For just data only it covers a period from 8 to 15 days and cost about 35-40THB per day. These DTAC Tourist Sim cards can be purchased via Lazada.
AIS (Advance Info Service) is the largest mobile service provider in Thailand, offering excellent network quality throughout the country, including rural areas. AIS Tourist Sim packages ranges from 8-day/15GB (at 299THB) to 15-day/30GB (at 599THB) to 30-day/50GB (at 899THB). We purchase SCT sim-cards which connects to the AIS network; the 15-day/7.5GB was bought via Lazada.
6. Communicating with Locals
Except for those involved in the tourist industry, most Thai don't speak English, especially in the rural areas. It will be helpful to have a driver who speak English.
In case of emergencies call the Thai Tourist Tourist Police at 1155 or (+66) 2308-0333 This hotline is available 24 hours a day and responders speak English. OR got to clinic or pharmacy as most doctors and pharmacists can speak English.
7. Places & Things of Interests
There were many scenic and beautiful places of interest; but one should not miss the following (Note: click on the GPS coordinates for directional map to the respective places):
e. Wat Phantao Teak Temple (วัดพันเตา) (GPS: 18.78777, 98.98786).
8. Food
Day 1:
- Lunch: Western/Malaysian Fare (Curry Noodles not to be missed) at Premier Lounge KLIA2 (GPS: 2.74440, 101.68491).
- Dinner: Northern Thai Fare at Mama Thai Food (GPS: 18.78523, 98.99866) (incl. Panang Curry, Green Curry, Tomyam, Mince Pork omelet (Kai Jeow Moo Sab (ไข่เจียวหมูสับ)), Stir fried French Beans with prawns, Cucumber salad with lemon grass) .
- Lunch: Western/Malaysian Fare (Curry Noodles not to be missed) at Premier Lounge KLIA2 (GPS: 2.74440, 101.68491).
- Dinner: Northern Thai Fare at Mama Thai Food (GPS: 18.78523, 98.99866) (incl. Panang Curry, Green Curry, Tomyam, Mince Pork omelet (Kai Jeow Moo Sab (ไข่เจียวหมูสับ)), Stir fried French Beans with prawns, Cucumber salad with lemon grass) .
Day 2:
- Breakfast: Noodles at 三王纪念碑 Ratchadamnoen Soi 6 (GPS: 18.78974, 98.98627).
- Breakfast: Noodles at 三王纪念碑 Ratchadamnoen Soi 6 (GPS: 18.78974, 98.98627).
- Lunch: Khao soi (ข้าวซอย) & Coconut Nectar at Khao Soi Fah-haam (ข้าวซอยฟ้าฮ่าม (เชฟยุ่น)) (GPS: 18.73606, 98.93565).
- Dinner: Northern Thai Fare at Michelin Star Baan Suan Mae Rim (ร้านอาหารบ้านสวนแม่ริม) (GPS: 18.94451, 98.94469).
Note: For most lunches & dinners we ate together at the same restaurant, although we split into two or 3 groups and ordered by our group. This way each group can order food to their liking and budget.
- Dinner: Northern Thai Fare at Michelin Star Baan Suan Mae Rim (ร้านอาหารบ้านสวนแม่ริม) (GPS: 18.94451, 98.94469).
Note: For most lunches & dinners we ate together at the same restaurant, although we split into two or 3 groups and ordered by our group. This way each group can order food to their liking and budget.
9. Stay
10. Navigation
I used MapMyRide to track our routes and stops. Geo-tagging of places of interest was via FaceBook and Google Maps.
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PRELUDE
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DAY 1: KL TO CHIANG MAI
Small group tour of the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son Loop, Thailand. Day 1 Around Chiang Mai:
Small group tour of the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son Loop, Thailand. Day 1 Around Chiang Mai:
Not wanting to take an early morning red-eye flight, we took an afternoon flight and arrived a day earlier than the rest of the tour group. Giving us half a day to explore Chiang Mai. The van picked us up from the airport, dropped us for a quick hotel check in AND we are off on the van again to go for a nice dinner and shopping after that; the girls could not be more delighted!
I am trying something different in writing my blogs. Instead of writing afresh, I am linking to my day to day Facebook postings during the trip and embedded them here with some brief comments where necessary. (NOTE: Click on respective posts to link to the FB post to read in more detail. If you can't see the posts, please log out from your Facebook first)
After an early check-in for the flight, we made a bee-line to the Premier Lounge KLIA2 for a nice lunch. They serve a good range of Western & Malaysian fare here; and their curry noodles should not be missed. This lounge is opened free of charge to credit card-holders of participating banks.
6:15pm - After a two hours and fifty minutes flight, we landed at Chiang Mai International Airport. And here are the girls waiting for Eddie & the van to pick us up, eager to savour Thai food and of course do some shopping!
6:15pm - After a two hours and fifty minutes flight, we landed at Chiang Mai International Airport. And here are the girls waiting for Eddie & the van to pick us up, eager to savour Thai food and of course do some shopping!
7:30pm - After a quick hotel checking in, at Ma Ma Thai Food for a nice dinner which include my favourite Kai Jeow Moo Sab, i.e. Omelet with minced pork. I love the way the Thai make this omelet, very fluffy with crispy edges and taste-wise with a hint of fish sauce. Others of this Northern Thai treat included: Panang Curry, (no, it's not from my home town of Penang, a lovely place with wonderful food too), crispy Stir fried French Beans with prawns, as surprisingly simple yet very good Cucumber salad with lemon grass.
Dinner done, what followed was a gala time for the girls..... Shopping!
Where else but at the many stalls and shops along the street markets like the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar (ไนท์บาซาร์เชียงใหม่), the Anusarn Market (ตลาดอนุสาร เชียงใหม่) & the Pavilion Night Bazaar (พาวิลเลียน ไนท์บาซาร์ เชียงใหม่).
Where else but at the many stalls and shops along the street markets like the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar (ไนท์บาซาร์เชียงใหม่), the Anusarn Market (ตลาดอนุสาร เชียงใหม่) & the Pavilion Night Bazaar (พาวิลเลียน ไนท์บาซาร์ เชียงใหม่).
They did pick up some interesting purses, bangles and other trinkets, and were sure to have a wonderful sleep!
Back at the hotel we couldn't help but take a short walk to the 700-year old Wat Phra Singh. It was too attractive to be missed as the night views were very striking. The main entrance is guarded by Singhs (lions), hence the name. The temple's design does remind me of those at Luang Prabang, Laos.
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DAY 2: CHIANG MAI TO HUAY NAM DONG
While waiting for the rest of the tour group to arrive, we did a walk around Chiang Mai old town for breakfast and visits to some of the temples! After that we started our 11-day road trip heading for our first destination, Huai Nam Dong. Enroute stops were a royal park and the oldest temple in Chiang Mai.
While waiting for the rest of our tour group to arrive, walked around Chiang Mai old town looking for a good place for some simple breakfast. Ended up eating noodles from a friendly lady vendor who surprisingly spoke Hokkien/Teochew!
Passed by the Klein Ka-Nom, a shop selling very cute pastry.
Doing the Chiang Mai temple loop, starting with Wat Phantao Temple. Built in the fourth century, it was first used as the living quarters for the monks of the adjacent Wat Chedi Luang. It's mainly built of teak that has and is sometimes referred to as the Teak Temple of Chiang Mai.
Wat Chedi Luang, (the temple of the big stupa or royal stupa) located in the historic city centre, temple grounds were originally made up of three temples - Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ho Tham and Wat Sukmin.
Day view Wat Phra Singh, although not as stunning as the lit-up night view; during the day the intricated craftsmanship can be seen more distinctly.
Checked out from the hotel and 1/2 and 12 km later, we reached these gardens at the Royal Park Rajapruek. We spent a wonderful 2-hours there, but one could easily enjoy half-a-day there as this park is covers 200 acres, with a collection of many varieties of plants from all around the world which are divided into distinct garden sections.
Entrance fee is THB200 pax.
Entrance fee is THB200 pax.
Anne, one of our travel buddies suggested that when in North Thailand (ie Lanna Thailand) one should not miss Khao soi. So off we went to Khao Soi Fah-haam to savour this. The ones served here were yummy with moderately spicy chicken gravy. As an added bonus they also sold Coconut Nectar drink; we had thought that this was similar to toddy as both are derived from the buds of coconut flowers. But Coconut Nectar is non-alcoholic.... and surprise... surprise... it is also quite a renown drink in the East Coast of Malaya.
Taking a short detour, we visited Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple sitting on the hill-side of Doi Suthep. With an elevation of 1,073 meters, it has impressive views of downtown Chiang Mai.
Entrance fee is THB30 pax. From the bottom it's a climb of 306 steps up a dragon lined stairs up to the temple proper. Alternatively, one can take a quick cable car ride up, at THB50 pax for foreigners.
Entrance fee is THB30 pax. From the bottom it's a climb of 306 steps up a dragon lined stairs up to the temple proper. Alternatively, one can take a quick cable car ride up, at THB50 pax for foreigners.
5:30pm - We arrive at Air Diamond Hotel in Huai Nam Dong. After a quick check in, we went to have fun at the hotel compound. Fun at the compound?
YES! Right there was a real Airbus A330-300 display and coffee fans can even pop into the cabin to have coffee in the cafe within!
YES! Right there was a real Airbus A330-300 display and coffee fans can even pop into the cabin to have coffee in the cafe within!
A short drive away, dinner at Baan Suan Mae Rim Restaurant at Mae RimDistrict. This is a Michelin Star (2020 & 2022) award restaurant, with dining pavilions facing ponds in a very green setting. Oh, yah... the food was good too.
No visit to Thailand is complete without popping into their 24-hour convenience outlets. So we ended the day with a quick shopping at a nearby 7-Eleven 🤣.
Note: Malaysian Touch n Go debit cards can be used where Alipay is accepted, such as at 7-Eleven outlets. Just ensure that the cashier set the exchange to Thai Bahts.
"Fun Dee Na!"
(ฝันดีนะ; that's good night in Thai)
(ฝันดีนะ; that's good night in Thai)
This is page 1 of a 10-page blog, Click Here To Go To Title Page.
| Go to Other Days | D3: Pai >
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