Chiang Mai once, Chiang Mai forever.

Good day everyone. Our Songkran holiday has passed and we still have to work after a long holiday. I know that lots of people still want more holiday or wish holiday to extend.  It is sad but true. And today, I have a story to tell you, readers, that I visited Chaing Mai, province in Thailand, for two days. I honestly have never been to Chiang Mai. Eventhough, I am fully Thai and Chiang Mai is also the destination of Thais as well.  So It was my first time as well visiting Chiang Mai.

    I was not planning to visit Chiang Mai at first as It was not on my wish list. I actually wanted to visit Phuket, province in south part of Thailand. However, my friend, she decided to drive from Chiang Mai back to Bangkok. And by that I don't have to pay for ticket to go back to Bangkok. So, I decided to visit Chiang Mai this time. Before going to anywhere, I usually take a look at the situation in that area and found out that in Chiang Mai during that time, Smog due to wildfire is unhealthy but I was pretty sure that I usually stay at the hotel not going out. So, I was not worried at first. 

    Once, I arrived Chiang Mai. The first thing to notice was that Chiang Mai was covered by smog and air pollution and It was too high density. I could smell the smog since I was in the airport. I felt a little bit dizzy at first but I managed to go out. At first I was going take taxi to go in Central Business District. But I thought why not use the local one. 

    I used local application to book taxi to go to my hotel and it costs me only 50 bath which is really cheap and the driver dropped me at the hotel. I could not take off my mask as the smog was too strong and it could harm your respiratory. So, I decided to wear mask all the time. When I arrived, I was so hungry but It was very early. So I decided to stop at the roti shop. You might think that I was going to eat Roti as It was roti shop. But you are wrong as I chose to eat rice with Sai Uo(local sausage) instead because I am used to rice more than anything else.

    During this time, you still can see beautiful temples outside. Chiang Mai is well known for the beautiful temple. 

    I would say that this food is 10/10 as I cannot eat anywhere else as It is local food. The local sausage is a little bit salty but It is good combining with the rice. I was so impressed by this food. and I was so sleepy at that time as I took off my flight very early. So, I ordered a glass of coffee to freshen myself. 

The coffee is also impressed me as It was not sweet at all and also I like the way that they poured milk into coffee.

    and after that I travel along the way in Chaing Mai. The first place that I visited was local temple called "Wat Lok Molee" This temple was far from my place but I managed to walk. If I could take my time back, I will use taxi instead. It was very hot and humid during the day and also It was due to smoke. 

    The temple was stunning as I have never seen temple like this in my hometown before. The decoration and the shape of temple are different from my hometown. It was good to see other side of Thailand. After that, I realized that I wanted to see Panda since I was young. But I have never really had a chance to go to Chaing Mai Zoo. So, this is the right time for me to visit Chaing Mai Zoo. I decided to take local minibus to go to Chaing Mai zoo. It costs me only 50 bath to be there.

    Upon arrival of Chiang Mai Zoo. It was extremely hot and humid plus there was smoke. I could not breath at first. But after sitting under the shade, It gets better. I took a tram to visit places in Chiang Mai Zoo. First, they took me to Africa zone which was stunning as I can meet Giraffes and other animals closely and then the highlight has arrived as I will see the Panda. 

    Her name is Lin Hui. Fortunately, I was lucky enough as Panda was not asleep. So, I see her eating bamboos and sitting under the shade. She seems to be very cute and happy in her little home. As It was extremely hot. I spent roughly 3 hours at the Zoo and headed back to hotel to experience the air conditioner before going out in the evening. 

Before going out to explore Chaing Mai. I found out that along the way to my hotel, there are tons of cafe stretch along the street. So, I jumped into one the cafe and ordered coconut coffee and bread to have some food. 

    Coconut coffee is amazing as I could taste the sweetness from coconut juice while bitterness of coffee still remain. and also the bread is nice as It was not sweet at all. Overall, my stomach is full and I headed back to my hotel. 

    In the evening, I was thinking why not going to tourist attraction like Tha Phae Wall. So I booked the taxi and headed to Tha Phae. Once arrived, It is bigger than I expected and It is gigantic. Not only that there were several people shooting photo. And the other thing was surprised me was that there are animal food seller who clap their hands to let pigeon flying away. And by that the tourist can have picture with pigeon. 

    I was really impressed by the Tha Phae Wall as It looks gigantic and very beautiful. After that I searched on the internet where I should go next and It should be reached by walking. and there is Wua Lai night marketing popped up. It was not that far from the place that i was standing. So no hesitation, I walked to Wua Lai Night Market. There are lots of local foods in the night market. I did not try much as I was so tired. and I walked almost the end of street and found out that there is Lan Na Temple which has different architecture from my hometown as well. It usually painted by using metal color. 

    It looks stunning and also the architecture looks interesting. I would like to suggest you to go there if you happen to have time visiting Chaing Mai, After I have visited many places in Chiang Mai. I felt tired already. So, I decided to head back to my hotel and wait for tomorrow. 

Thank you for reading until the end of it, I will write about other places in Chiang Mai in the next blog. See you :)