Northern Thailand; Chiang Mai &Chiang Rai a little bit of Laos.. Thailand

My 3rd time to Thailand, has proven that there are major differences between Malaysia & Thai. But let me just keep the differences aside because most Malaysians are sensitive to critics. Well..it took around 3 hours flight from KL to Chiang Mai. We were supposed to depart at 8.15 but got an SMS from AirAsia a day before informing the delay. We departed at 10.20 pm...(by the way, 'we' are my mom, her Swedish friend, Neide and...of course..me). Arrived at Chiang Mai International Airport, we jumped in to a taxi straight to Suriwongse Hotel, a 3 star hotel but looks as though it is more than 3 starsss. One thing I love about Thailand, no matter how many stars  hotels they have, they are always very comfortable for accomodation. The taxi fare from the airport to the hotel is 120 Baht. Then, we had our lunch at a Chinese-Muslim restaurant, the food was yummy!!
Our programs on the 1st day, visit to Wat Pra That Doi Suthep (Doi Suthep temple) or known as Golden Temple. Everything looks gold, the statues, the umbrellas, the monuments, but no idea whether they are pure gold and gold plated. This is the temple where the King of Thailand would go if he visits Chiang Mai. Pictures, pictures and pictures here.

Later, went to Jade factory and observed how jades are processed. I didn't know there is purple jade. Huhu...felt like buying a jade ring but that was not in my traveling budget.

At night, went to the Night Bazaar just in front of the hotel. I guess, mom made the right choice to stay in Chiang Mai. Everything was easy for us there. I just couldn't resist to do the shopping. Bought a few pieces of shawl and carved soaps. I tried to polish my bargaining skills but I couldn't do any better. Still need my mom to get the cheapest price for me. We surveyed the price for massage service at massage centres that we had passed, planning to get some massage before going back to Malaysia


On the 2nd day, it was a long journey. Really really long. We went to Chiang Rai, Mae Sai and Laos. Chiang Rai is 3 1/2 hours journey from Chiang Mai. We chartered an airport taxi to get to Chiang Mai. Our taxi driver, Jo, was strong enough to do the driving. Sometimes felt pitty for him but actually, he used to do lots of drivings from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai.
We visited a temple...I can't remember it's name. It looks like a white temple and it was built with a cost of 300 million Baht. It has such a beautiful design. And I almost pissed off when my mom's digicam couldn't function, running out of battery. I forgot to charge those batteries (when the digicam is not mine, I don't really concern about charging the batteries) If I had my digicam, this wouldn't happen. So we had to rely on Neide's digicam.

Later, we continued the journey to Mae Sai, to visit the union of hill tribes. There are 5 tribes and the name that I can recall, Karen tribe, Ahka tribe and Lao Min-Yuen tribe. The most popular is the Karen tribe where they have the long neck

Next, we headed to Mai Chen, where the Mekong river is located. The current looked strong because it is rainy season in Northern Thailand. We decided to take a small boat to cross the river and get to Laos, another country next to Thailand. That small boat didn't look secure enough but the locals know better whether it is safe or not. Neide seemed to doubt the safety and she almost decided not to go. Mom convinced her and at last, she joined us. Around 20 minutes, we embarked from the boat at the riverbank of Laos. Did some shopping there. They have this kind of whisky called 'snake whisky'...Well, snakes or scorpions were being preserved in bottles. Yucckkkksssss...I asked the boatman if the whisky is dangerous but he replied, it makes a man stronger...well..whatever..aphrodisiacs I guess...

After the shopping in Laos, we returned to the boat and headed to Golden Triangle where we can see the association of 3 countries, Burma (Myanmar), Laos and Thailand. Golden Triangle was famous for the plantation of Poppy plant, and used to be the largest opium production in Asia...or perhaps, in the world. Now, there's no more poppy plant though there are some hidden places where poppy is still being planted...my assumption anyway...Went to the opium museum and gained info about the history and things related to opium productions.

Then we had our lunch at Chiang Rai, at a Muslim restaurant, really nice Thai food. We had it quite late, around 3 pm local time. After lunch, we went to the Northern most part of Thailand, which is the borderline of Myanmar. These 2 countries are separated by a river..I forgot the name of the river. Pitty for the Burmese, especially the children, they were begging for some money but I couldn't give any.
Once I give, then there would be crowds of children approaching me for money. It's a common phenomenon there. Finally, we got back to ChiangMai around 5, and arrived at 9...It was raining and dark on the way back to Chiang Mai.

On the 3rd day, we went to Maesa Elephant Camp. I really love this place because they have lots of elephants and they are so cute especially the young elephants. We are allowed to feed the elephants with bananas and sugar canes only and that can be purchased at a price of 20 Baht. They seemed to eat all the time. Then we watch the elephants bathed at the river. Just love to look at the jumbos, manja btul...mcm baby. The best part was the elephant show. Very nice and very impressive because the elephants are taught how to play football, how to paint (their paintings are 10 times better than mine) and they are very obedient to their 'masters'. Good elephants...If anybody wants to visit this camp, I would like to suggest that you snap as many pictures with the elephants as you can BEFORE the show. Not after the show because the elephant masters would demand for tips for each picture taken with their jumbos. 
Next, went to Bai Orchid, an orchid farm. Many orchids but not as many that we have in Malaysia. Just wondering why most of the orchids are in purple by right orchids are available in many colors, single or double-blended color

s.

Nothing much to see and not worth buying the souvenirs here. Then, had our lunch at a restaurant near the hotel. Then we went to Borsang where the Sa paper industries are centred here. The famous place for umbrella making is located in San Kampaeng, very near to Borsang. Things are quite expensive here but much cheaper than at the airport. About Sa paper, it is made up of mulberrybark. We have some products made of Sa paper in Malaysia but of course, they are expensive.

Got back to the hotel and rest, later went for wimming at the hotel pool for 1/2 hour.Around 7 local time, went to the night bazaar and massage. I got a foot massage and Thai massage. Oh my goodness, I felt my bone cracking because of that Thai massage. I think next time I would go for Oil Massage.That is better I think. And after the massage, did some shopping for a few minutes and got back to the hotel. Last day, nothing much because we are out of time to go anywhere or do anything. Checked out and left for the airport early. At 1.20 local time, we departed to KL and that's it...byebye Chiang Mai!!