Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai

Thailand, oh how I love thee. The bffs and I have been heading to Bangkok every year for the past, hmm I dunno, 7 years? I hope this tradition can continue for many more years to come. In recent years, a subset of the bigger group (of which I'm a part) have extended our BKK trip into other parts of Thailand.

In 2011, 4 of us had a lovely time in Hua Hin and in 2012, 2 others joined the original 4 to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. You can read about our Chiang Mai adventures here. After the elephant safari experience in Chiang Dao, we continued on our way to Chiang Rai.

Our first stop at the Mae Khacharn Hot spring where we had a free mineral foot soak.

 Mr J's ANTM moment.

The Fish palace. According to the description given by the travel agent, "the big fishes as big as your leg". Hmmm...maybe they were referring to a Thai's leg/thigh which would be smaller than mine (oops!)

 A beautiful koi amongst the ugly catfishes.

 Posing at the entrance of the Fish Palace.

The White Temple, designed by a Thai artist Chalermchai. This was the highlight of the trip for me. The white elegant structure and intricate carvings were a sight to behold.

Tricycle tour (Samlor) around Chiang Rai city. A kitschy but fun experience. A pic of us with our trishaw uncles.

 Mr J with an ever-ready smile.

Wat Phra Kaeo (Temple with the Emerald Buddha)

The 40 Black houses of Tawan Dachanee, another Thai artist

Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Saen ancient city

We went to the market at night wanting to have creepy crawlies for dinner, but then thought the better of it....

and settled for a safer option of local hotpot instead.

Next morning, we headed to the Akha tribe villages to visit the longneck Kayan and big ears Kayor.

The longnecks were originally from Burma and fled to the Thai border area in the late 1980s and early 1990s due to conflict under the military regime in Burma. The tribal village eventually became a tourist site; the longnecks weave and sell their handmade shawls to tourists. The longneck girls were very gentle and sweet, and really tugged at our heartstrings, such that we felt obliged to buy something from every stall we stopped.

Panoramic view point with Myanmar, Thailand and Laos in the same picture. By now, you should be able to gather that our guide was very accommodating in helping us take group pictures, and I must concede that he was pretty good at it!

We took a boat trip along the mighty Mekong River to Donsao, Laos, a duty-free shopping haven for Thais and tourists. No visa required. If you like, you can also buy the famous snake/scorpion whiskey (ewww)!

Unfortunately, we found the whole shopping experience very uninspiring.

Giant golden Buddha

Next up, Mae Sai border city. We had fun walking the markets;  Lu bought a few bags of really tasty broad beans and J some LCD light sticks there.

Last but not least, the wild monkey cave temple which I did not enjoy. The monkeys were very aggressive and not at all likable.