By Shannon:
I think it's high time I applied for a Krisflyer's membership card. I mean, here I am, with trips to Perth, Indonesia, Malaysia and now Chiangmai under my belt, but I don't have a card to chalk up mileage points?
My dear parents jumped at a chance to join Uncle Alfred and Aunty Wendy to Chiangmai. Daddy was raring to go since he missed out on the Bintan trip and seriously needed some R and R.
Mommy and Aunty Wendy did weeks of late night hunting on the Internet to find JUST the right hotel for us babies. By a fluke chance, they spotted this new hotel, called Maninarakorn, which just opened it's doors in late 2006. It's conveniently located 5min away from the night bazaar and priced really really reasonably at S$50 a night, wow wow! So our mommies just grabbed it and booked 3 delux terrace rooms for all of us, talk about a steal!
Daddy and Mommy spent 4 nights stuffing MY 21 inch suitcase and haversack full of clothes, toys, 3 sleeptime bears, a electrical cooker and my food! And half filled their 21 inch hard case with their bare necessities, shows who's the boss isn't it???
We finally headed off on Friday, 17th Aug for our 5D4N adventure, after Mommy exhuasted herself on the packing!
Friday, 17th August 07 (By Shannon)Can't believe Daddy and Mommy woke me up from my beauty sleep! At 6:10am in the morning, ohhhhhhhhhhh! They dressed me up while I was still trying to catch 40winks, and bundled me into a cab just to catch a 8:55am flight??? Are they insane or what? Luckily I was too excited to get cranky at them, and blissfully had my milk on the way to the airport... yummy!
We met Aunty Wendy, Uncle Alfred, Ethan and Aunty Wendy's mum at the airport... and my doting Gong Gong and Po Po caught a train all the way from the West just to send us off at 7am! I just knew they would miss me!
We waited impatiently at the boarding gate to get on the airplane, only to be told that we were changing planes due to a technical error, and it was after a long wait! Oh gosh! We had to then walk all the way to the other end of the airport to recheck in our boarding passes, and get this, we then had to sit a bus out to the runway to board the new plane, like in those 60's movies, talk about new experiences! Anyway, after a 1 hour delay, we were finally on our way! Whew!
Why are we waiting? Why are we waiting?
Chiangmai was hot! Seeing Mommy pack sweater after sweater, and long pants, I was convinced that it would be cool and idyllic, so it was a rude shock to feel sun and heat on my face... thank goodness Mommy followed Daddy's advise and managed to stuff in two shorts into my bulging suitcase, Daddy, you're a lifesaver!
So much for her insane daily tracking of the weather in Chiangmai, what do you mean 27 degrees celsius with moderate wind? Were you checking on Perth by mistake, Mommy?
Daddy got us checked into the hotel while we were busying running around and checking out the huge sofas in the reception area and gulping down our, I mean, our mommies' welcome drinks of lemongrass cordial... first time I'm tasting this unique drink which taste a little like lemon, a little like rose.... The place was really clean, neat and stylish, thumbs up!
Unfortunately, due to a little screw up, we ended up being located to normal delux rooms rather then the delux terrace rooms which Mommy had booked. Mommy and Aunty Wendy went down to bang some tables nicely, and explain that we needed the delux terrace rooms as they were furnished with bathtubs, only to be told that they were being refurnished at the moment, and no room with bathtub was available! So after speaking to the manager in charge and slyly dropping the name of the General manager into the conversation, the nice manager upgraded us to junior suites, yipee! What great service!
And what rooms! Heaven! Complete with walk in wardrobe, pantry with mircowave, flat screen LCD TV which can turn to face either the bed, or the living room, and a see through glass bathroom! Though I have no idea why anyone would want a see through glass bathroom! Daddy had to take great pains not to let me see him showering!
The King sized bed!
The see through toilet where Daddy took great pains not to let me see him showering!
The living room, Bedroom, toilet and pantry.
Mommy quickly stuffed me up with porridge, before pulling out those 5 full sheets of itnerary... super mommies at work again! Aunty Wendy and her had apparently pulled out all the recommended restuarant names in chiangmai, top spots to visit, van hire contacts, and maps of spas! Daddy and Uncle Alfred would only gape in amazement and tried to downplay it....
After Ethan and me had our lunch, we were quickly bundled off to the Riverside restaurant. How's the food? I have no comment, since both Ethan and me were snoring away in sheer exhuastion by then..... but from what I eavesdrop from Daddy and Mommy, they serve yummy Pad thai and curry chicken noodles, as well as yummy Tom Yam soup and Mango salad! We finally got a taste of Riverside food when the mommies ta-bo'd their mince pork soup with rice for us babies dinners, and it was delicious!
We headed to the Night Baazar before dinner, and did some shopping around before trying to find another recommended restuarant, Whole Earth. No such luck though, so in the end, we settled for one of the many seafood restuarant at the Night bazzar, before heading back to knock out at 11pm!
Saturday, 18th Aug, 07 (By Shannon's Mommy)Shannon woke up being disturbed again! This time, the cuplrit was me! While chopping up food for the babies' porridge, I discovered that the electical cord of the cooker didn't fit into the wall socket, and we had not bought a adaptor. So in the end, we passed all of my nicely cut ingredients to the hotel kitchen and asked them to whip up some porridge for the babies...
We went down for breakfast, which was really quite a good spread! Eggs, and Sausages, and different kinds of bread, pancakes, noodles, Ham, Bacon, Potatoes, Cereal, Fruits, juice, tea and coffee, we sure took our time at breakfast!
After that, it was time to get ready, coz we had rented a van and were heading to Mae Sa Valley to visit Queen Skirit's Botanical gardens, the Elephant Camp, and the Mae Sa Waterfalls!
Many flowers were blooming at the botanical gardens, and this was just the start of the bloom season! We checked out the man made waterfall in the Gardens, the desert plants, and the creeper and crawlers! Where was Ethan? He was zzzzz in the van, haha! Check out the pics!
Flowers flowers everywhere!
Mommy, did I REALLY hear you say we will go Arizona next?
Man made waterfall at the Gardens
A Nymph in the Rain forest!
Next stop was Mae Sae Elephant Camp... though Shannon loves elephants, and was eagerly waiting to see them, she got really scared when soooooo many of them turned up! There were at least 20 - 30 elephants roaming around in the park! And when they blew their trumpets, she would give a jump and hide her face in my shoulder, maybe the shrill sounds just send shivers down her spine? She clung hard to me, and kept telling me to go 'There!' as in move up the spectators bench, until we were watched the elephant show from the safety of the highest, and furthest bench I could find!
No! There! There! Go there!
The elephants were really smart, I'd never seen elephants paint really nice paintings of plants and flowers before, and it was a first! Amazing, I really wonder how they managed to train them to differentiate colour, shapes and size... the paintings were being sold to help support in the upkeep of the elephant camp, and I was so tempted to buy one! But at 40,000bht (close to SGD$800!) for the really superb ones, we just couldn't afford it... :)
Mal bought us all super nice elephant tee-shirts as souveniors though and now we can be a happy elephant family!
Last stop of the day was the Mae Sae Waterfalls. We bought out the Ergo carrier, and I backpacked Shannon to see the falls... she giggled with every left and right sway that I took whilst walking.... :)
A giggling Koala bear on my Back
We managed to climb up to the 5th tier of the 10 tiered waterfall before heading down again, not too bad...
5th Tier of the Waterfalls
On the way back, the Driver stopped at a ATV(All Terrain Vehicle) stop, and the wild streak in me was yelling again! I was raring to go for a ride! Alfred and Mal was keen to, so what did we do with Shannon? We left her with Wendy, and Ah Ma (Aunty Wendy's Mom) and a sleeping Ethan haha! Thansk so much for babysitting Wendy! We had loads of fun, climbing up the mountain, and over rocky and rough terrain! I lost control of the vehicle a few times, much to the guide's alarm, but overall, I think I did not bad, for a puny lady to handle a rough, powerful and wilful machine!
This one's for the Album! 4 daring enthusiasts up for the Challenge! Like Real.....!
Let's show the boys how it's done! This is the way to wreck and trash the vehicle into the mud!
When we finally got back, Shannon was perched on Wendy's arm, fuming at us for abandoning her! She gave us the cold shoulder, and we had to coax her to laughing again... what a little 'xiao jie pi qi' she has!
After a long day, we headed back to the hotel for a rest before going out for dinner. We got the friendly hotel staff to direct us to the Restaurant Whole Earth, and I have to say the food did not disappoint! It was fanastic, we had Tom Yam Soup, a Sweet and Sour prawn dish in coconut which was my absolute favourite, a local rice dish, Green Chicken curry, stir fried mixed veg, and a salad. The ambience was superb, as it was located in a wooden teak two storey house and we had to take off our shoes to get upstairs, just like home :)
We headed back to the hotel after the late dinner, with Shannon getting cranky and sleepy.... another day gone...
Sunday,19th August 07 (By Shannon's Mommy)We rented the van for another half day of sightseeing. Today, the plan is to see Doi Suthrep Temple, nestled high in the hills and later, we will be heading to the weekend market!
I was busy cooking the babies porridge, which I burned slightly due to the high heat (opps!) and lost track of time, By the time I glanced at the bed side clock again, it was 850am and we had to leave by 930am! So Mal bought Shannon down for breakfast while I quickly packed and changed.
When I went down to the breakfast table, we realised that it was only 8am????!!! What in the world? So we had our lesiurely breakfast and went back to our room.
While Mal was changing clothes, I packed up a little and our little monkey scurried around, playing... then out of the corner of my eye, I see her head to the bedside, and beep beep! She had pressed something! When I got over, I realised that our little monkey had pressed the time clock to reflect the different time zones in other countries and she was now trying to change it back to Chiang Mai time! That's why we were a hour ahead! Trying to hide your little dirty deed, Shannon?
Anyway, Doi Suthrep... it was a winding journey up the mountain, but it was not as bad as some travellers mentioned, that it would make you puke.... there were many dogs milling around, which is very usual for Thailand, as Thai people loves dogs, as do their Thai King. We bought tickets to go up the elevator to the temple, as the alternative was to walk the 300+ steps... and neither of us were keen to do that!
While waiting with the crowds of people, Shannon and Ethan suddenly gave a squeal of delight, two dogs apparantly had wandered to the elevator platform and into the crowd. The funny thing was that they then sat down, and looked like they were, like us, waiting for the elevator to bring them up to the temple! We were cracking jokes about how dogs queue for elevators rides here in Chiangmai, when lo behold! The dogs ambled and squeezed into the elevator when it arrived with other human counterparts! Imagine our speechless and stunned faces..!
There so so many tourists milling around, and photograping touts trying to sell good photo shots of the temple. It was a little sad seeing this revered and holy place becoming a commercial tourist sight, but the temple grounds and temple itself was magnicient, the view of the city down below beautiful, and we could still see many devoted buddhists praying at the shrine.
After lunch at 'Good View' which was disappinting, we took a break, and used the icy cold swimming pool and the new luxurious jaccuzi. The babies then took a nap and we headed off to The Wok, another recommended restuarant for dinner. The wok is actually a cooking school by day and a restaurant by night. We ate Al Fresco and from there, it was just a short 10min walk to the Weekend Market.
Dinner at the Wok
The Weekend Market? It was loud, packed, and wonderful! The handicraft and artwork being sold there was a eye opener. It was so so big, and I think we only walked a fraction of it before the kids got cranky and tired from the heat and noise and we had to hurry back to the hotel... really sad to leave the place, coz give me a few hours alone, and I would have bought a whole suitcase full of stuff! Hmm, perhaps Mal is thinking 'just as well we had to go, before all the money is spent!'...
We bought a clay pig flowerpot for my mum and we were so tempted to buy a hand woven teddy bear for Shannon, but Mal was a little unnerved by their big heads and eyes, so no bear for Shannon. My biggest biggest regret? I had read about artists at the weekend market who can replicate amazing portraits of people from just a photograph, and I was hunting around for a nice family photo to bring along. Unfrotuanely, caught up in the packing, I did not have time to do it, and left SG without one... ohhhhhhh! The black and white pencil sketches we saw was breathtakingly beautiful! I had to hit myself for not bringing a close up picture of Shannon, what a waste...argghhhh, till date, I am still banging the table in frustration! On hindsight, I should have called my Dad in SG, get him to email a photo over, and print it out, and rush back to the weekend market, get them to sketch it out, and mail it over to me! That was how desperate I felt! Till now, I am still hoping I hear close friends say they are heading to Chiangmai, so tat I can 'Tompang' them! Soooooooo, anyone going there anytime soon?????
Monday, 20th August 07 (By Shannon)All these late nights out have sure tired me out! I was accustomed to sleeping at 930pm in Singapore, but these nights I have been up till midnight! Still, the action, and the 'Live Toy' (read that as Ethan) which comes along with this trip is not too bad....
Today has been designated as Shopping Day. Mommy and Aunty Wendy pulled the whole jim gang to Airport Central... thank goodness there's a big toys Department with a table full of Lego! While Ethan n myself were busy trashing up the place, under the watchful eyes of our dads, Mommy, Aunty Wendy and Ah Ma swopped down on all the creations which never makes its way to Singapore. I heard Mommy comment that Thai modern fashion is ever so fashionable and feminine, much nicer than what we have back home. It must be true, since I saw her bundle up 3 sets of Lingerie from her favourite and exclusive lingerie counter, BSC, in less than 20min!
I watched with bated breath as Daddy and Mommy contemplated buying me a huge Teddy Bear as big as me, but much fatter of course! This was after I made a bee dive straight to a display chair with a hugemonous bear and carried it out without a hitch! But, as all who have met me recently can see, grouchy face, means NO BEAR LAH! Sigh..........
We headed back to the hotel in the late afternoon, and the night was spent walking about the Night Bazzar.
Tuesday, 21st August 07 (By Shannon's Mommy)Time to go home! Though Shannon had alot of fun, some times when she is in the hotel room, she will go 'Po Po? Gong Gong? Xuan Xuan?' (her good friend) And I have to give her the standard answer ' Po Po? You have to sit a AEROOOOO-PLANNNNEE, you know, a 'Whewwwwwwwww' (with a hand sign showing aeroplane flying through the sky) then you will be able to see Po Po and Gong Gong, and we are going on a 'Whewwwwwwwww' on Tuesday. Today is blah blah day, tomorrow is blah blah day, then it will be Tuesday.....'
Today I get to just say,' Po Po? Today. You will see them today.' Fullstop.
We said our goodbyes to the hotel staff, I got all the names of the staff who helped us greatly and provided us with great service, and we left for the airport.
The plane ride back was so great. While we were waiting at the boarding gate, a airport staff came back to us, and ushered us to the plane, while a bunch of people queuing at the counter glared at us suspicously. Here I was thinking, wow, priority boarding at Chiangmai Aiport! Talk about personal service! We spent 5 min taking silly photos of the plane we were boarding and slowly strolled to our seats. After buckling in, we waited for the rest of the passengers to start boarding, since the plane was only 1/5 full.
But when the pilot started his 'Hello' speech and the plane started taxing off the runway, we realised, Oops! We were the last remaining passengers and we had been waiting at the wrong boarding gate! Everyone was already onboard, waiting for us *Cring!* The bunch of people queuing, as my hubby helpfully informed me, were actually passengers getting ready to board a AirAsia plane just next to us....... so much for personal service! *sheepish grin*
Anyway, having a 1/5 full flight is great! Shannon got her own seat, as well the the whole row of seats behind her for her bed, and the stewardesses were most helpful. It was a great flight back to Singapore, where Shannon's Po Po and Gong Gong were there again to greet us.
Daddy, hey, you're blocking me!
See my own seat!
Daddddddddiiiiieeeeee! Stop trying to bag my seat, it's mine!
Sigh, I give up! Parents can be so dificult to handle as they grow up!
This is the Life! My own seat and a bed behind me!
After Effects of the Holiday Indulgence!When we booked the trip and realised it was either a 3 or 5 day stay if we wanted to see the weekend markets, Mal and I were wondering whether 5 days was just too long. On hindsight, it wasn't enough! Each day was packed, and this holiday was so much fun that we wished we could stay longer...
Shannon had so much fun with Ethan that she has unofficially 'declared' him as her boyfriend and given him a pet name. So whenever I have to mention Ethan to her, it's E-wee and not Ethan, ok? And I have to be super careful not to say ' Ethan' or 'E-wee' in front of her when I dun want her to hear, or else, I will be hearing 'E-Wee? E-Wee? E-Wee?' all day long!
We realise that it's so much better to go on holidays with easy going friends, especially those who have kids similar to Shannon's age... (what better way to keep them entertained??) than to tackle the holiday alone. Now, I'm secretly planning for a Bangkok getaway... anyone interested???? *Evil Grin*
Shannon posing prettily for the camera...
Family photo by the Orchids
Fountain built in honour of the Queen
The Temple at the Grounds
Second Set of Group Photos
Happy Family? Btw, Shannon can be loaned for photoshots at market rates, please apply via email...
Fast and gungho! Here we are at the zoo, when less than 2 hours ago, I was zzzzzzzz in my bed.....
Camera! Look at me, Darn it!
Ok, Ready, Set, Go! Boogie Away, Night Fever Night Fever....
At the Polar bear enclosure before the yucky lunch, see how they are unsuspectingly smiling and I'm not.....
Photographer aka Dear takes a photo before we head off...
Oh ho, Gong Gong can sleep on the sofa and we can have our beauty sleep in peace!
Shhh, dun interrupt my train of thought! Can't you see I'm trying hard not to get sand on my toes!
Ok guys, this is my Super Kongfu Water Crane Move, Ha-Taaaaa!
Gong gong, I prefer the drums to the dress, can?
Ok, now watch me slice that turtle into half, mommy!
Say Cheese everyone!
Quick quick, turn on the TV! Hi-5 is on!
