Friendship Journey to Chiang Mai, Thailand - 22/1 to 25/1/2010

This is my third trip to Chiang Mai - the first being an official scientific trip to study agricultural development in Thailand in the 1980s; the second is a holiday trip with my wife three years ago. This trip is another holiday trip and I was accompanied by Rahim Rahman, Mohd Nor Abdul and Zakaria.
It was an early flight on Friday January 22 by Air Asia (Flight AK 692)departing at 06.55 hrs. It was a three hour flight. We checked in at the Chiang Mai Plaza Hotel - an old hotel near the night market and the centre of activities in the City. In the afternoon on the first day we visited the Botanical Garden - an impressive collection of plants from many countries. The night safari was adjacent to it. We then visited the wet market. I bought pegaga and guava which I took home. We visited the night market which sells the whole range of products from clothings, furniture, electrical goods, and foodstuffs. I capped the day with a two hour traditional Thai massage.
The following day (Jan 23) we hired a taxi and by 8 am we proceeded to the Golden Triangle. The Golden Triangle is a must visit destination if one is in Chiang Mai. We stopped at Hotspot which is a hot spring area. We dipped our legs in the hot water flowing drains. There were souvnir shops selling gemstones, handicrafts, clothings. Proceeded to Chiang Rai and right to Mae Sai which is the border town between Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. we were back at the Hotel at 8 pm. It was a 12 hour trip. The taxi rental was Bhat 4000 (RM 400). I had another 2 hour Thai traditional massage with hot stones. It was an invigorating experience.
On the third day (Jan 24)we decided to visit the Elephant Farm - about an hour drive from the city. As we were walking towards the elephant show arena we passed by a river where the elephants are having their bath. By the time we were at the arena around 11 am for the elephant show, the arena was full with spectators. It was a fascinating show as the elephants showed their skill in pulling and arranging in stacks logs of wood, tug of war, kicking balls and painting pictures. On our return journey we stopped at the Snake Farm with demonstration of handling cobras and the Tiger Farm. We visited Chiang Mai Hill Resort and capped the day with herbal massage (Bhat 700).
Our return flight to KL was scheduled at 9.55 on Monday Jan 25. We were up at 6.00 am, had breakfast and by 7.00 am headed by taxi to the airport. by 10 am we were airborne. Another memorable Friendship trip to an ASEAN country.