Love Love LOVE CHIANGMAI!

Some people will think it's crazy to go back to a holiday spot twice when the world's such a huge place to visit. Others will think you're utterly nuts when you go back to the same holiday spot in less than 4 months..... but hey, people who think you're nuts are probably nuts too right?

We headed back to Chiangmai over the weekend coz we absoloutely love love loved CHIANGMAI! when we were there in August, and now with the cool weather approaching, and my parents game to go, we thought why not?

Also, I just had to settle my unfulfilled wish of getting a portrait done of Shannon....

We had hoped for good weather in August when we went there the first time, and Mal couldn't stop teasing me that despite all my checking and rechecking of weather and expecting cool temperatures, we were lambasted with hot heat.

Well, this time, the weather was spot on and Wendy you missed it! Lovely 24 degree celcius and a chilly 21 in the morning....

We opted for a more relaxed iternary this time round, with food, food and more lovely food!

So on a early morning on 30th November, I found myslef waking up at 415am. Can't believe I let myslef believe that a 635am flight is not THAT bad, but trust me, waking up at 415am in the morning is BAD! But the flight went relatively smooth, though it was packed to the gills. Shannon choose to snooze away for 2/3 of the flight on my lap, that was how packed the flight was...

We reached the hotel at 10am and decided to take a stroll at Wororot Market before heading to Riverside for lunch. Since the Market and The Riverside was closeby we opted to walk. The weather was great, and the Pad Thai and Koi Soi equally good!

After a rest back at the Hotel, we headed to Whole Earth for some wholesome food before strolling to the Night Bazzar for a walk.

The next day, we headed to QUeen Skirrit Botanic Gardens since my parents have never been there and my flower crazy mum was already missing her orchids back in Isngapore. But it was good! The weather was chilly enough for Shannon to don her woolly hat and gloves and pose for the camera.

Our guide, a really nice man, Garry with excellent command of English, herded us to the Orchid and Butterfly farm for buffet lunch which was surprisingly pleasant and reasonable at 160bht, that works out to about S$7. AFter lunch we were free to roam the orchid farm and view the lovely butterflies fluttering about. Out came the cameras again!

We ended our day with a good rest back at the hotel and headed to roam the Saturday Market at Wulai Road. Bought Shannon a doggie balloon and some hooks for her room. I also got some cotton candy to munch on the way to dinner.

We tried a new restuarant, Thanam, and the atomsphere there was really special. Located just next to the river, we were seated outdoors right in front of a quartet playing thai musical instruments. With candle light and a balmy cool evening and excellent food, this is one place I will surely recommend! And for only 700+bht(S$30) for the whole meal for 5 of us, it was no wonder it was so busy!

Shannon posing prettily for the camera...

Sunday morning saw us having a lazy day at the hotel. We only ventured out to the Sunday market about 5pm, and thereafter I tried to get us into another local and supposedly good Resturant, Huen Phen. But the place was so packed that the waiters could only shake their heads at us. No choice but to head back to The Wok for dinner....

On Monday, with our trusty guide Garry, we headed up to the hills for Doi Suthrep. ON the way there, we stopped by Bhu Phing Palace, the King's Holiday home. I''m glad we visited the palace, coz the flowers were absolutely beautiful! Tons and tons of roses and orchids, and the landscape was serene and quiet.

Family photo by the Orchids

Fountain built in honour of the Queen

The Temple at the Grounds

After Doi Suthrep, Garry recommended another resturant very near our hotel for lunch, Gai Tong Heng. This is one of the oldest Chinese resturant in Chiangmai, and the food was good and reasonable. We ended up eating dinner there again that night!

We headed back home on Tuesday morning on another packed flight. But whether due to their good heart or just plain concidence, Tiger Airways had a free seat next to us, so Shannon got her own seat. THanks to Wendy's DVD player, she watched Elmo and Hi-5 on the way home.

Here's some more assorted pics...