~ Brief trip report with a few handy hints ~

Just wanted to thank the TA helpers esp. Caroline and Stewie for their invaluable help before we went. We had travelled to New York and Barcelona for 3 weeks beforehand so the 4 day stop in Chiang Mai was to break the long flight up !

We stayed at the U hotel, have done a review and it was the best for us for location, price and facilities. The Sunday market goes right past, it was just over A$135 a night for huge room and breakfast and it was smallish hotel. We walked everywhere and explored.

Things that we did and loved/noticed no real order

1. Get Nancy Chandler map before you leave !

- Siam Celadon Tea House lovely tea and sandwiches in beautiful surroundings

- Thai cooking school with Thai Orchid cooking school

- Ate at The Writers Club and Bar opposite hotel, great service, Great Thai food and (apple pie) great prices (we like white wine and they had it and a reasonable price)

-Found HQ paper just around the corner and Chaing Mai Plastic (great quality plastic bagsfor my craft work) in the Warorot market

-Don%26#39;t buy second hand books they are expensive brig your own and leave behind !

-Have a head massage for 80 baht for 1/2 hour at Sunday walking market and explore it and the side streets between 5-8pm (thanks Caroline !) you stop walking at 6pm for the National anthem

-Private tour guide ';Joy'; for nearly 2 days for 2400 baht took us to Doi Suthep and explained it all to us just beautiful then to a great restaurant Satesinep he knew about $8 for lunch for 3 of us !) then onto the Handcraft village ( we thought the umbrella one was the best as I had forgotten the talk, the tour and then the showroom part) . Day 2 was to the Mae Sa Elephant camp (show and a 1/2 ride) then to Pon Yang Angdoi Resort for lunch amazing waterfall as a backdrop. We called in at the Four Seasons Resort for a sticky beak. Joys email is onecoolsoda@hotmail.com and his website is www.Thailand-private-drivers.com

-Huen Phen restaurant down and around the corner from U (on NC map) is great but don%26#39;t buy wine at $47 a bottle and most of the northern Thai food is quite med-hot spicy but a lovely place with many rooms all decorated in Thai antiques.

-CM Airport check in was smooth and easy

-Lots of good places to eat that we didn%26#39;t have time for

A great trip love to go back and will do in next 5 years ! Hope this helps a little

~ Brief trip report with a few handy hints ~

thanks so much chocolatefriend

we will be visiting in early November so thanks for the hints

~ Brief trip report with a few handy hints ~

Thanks for the trip report.

I have him booked Joy in December.

He was advised from a friend Rosli from Tripadvisor.

I spkoe to Joy breifly ladt November.

I take it he is a good english speaking guide.

Let me know what you thought of him

Ed

We are also traveling there in early november and look forward to using these tips as well!

Hi Chocolatefriend,

Thanks for a wonderful trip report.

I am glad to have helped you with tips for your trip.

What food did you eat at the Writers Club?

Did you manage to get to Ban Tawai Handicraft and woodcarving Village ?

Cheers,

Stewie.

Hi chocolatefriend..... glad you liked Joy, he%26#39;s the man as far as I am concerned. He has worked with me on and off for the past 6 years and love his knowledge, sense of humour, reliability and above all things his honesty as a tour guide.

Glad that you had a good trip.

Hi CF,

Thanks so much for the info and for letting us all know how you went.

It sounds great - some good tips as well.

Caroline.

Thanks for your report.

Can I ask what type of plastic bags were they. I make cards and use resealable bags to package them. If they are this sort I won%26#39;t buy anymore until we go to chiang mai. I bought my last ones in the old quarter in Hanoi. They were so cheap.

Pam

Hi Stewie how does the freshest Avacado and Prawns with salad sound for 120 B a med strength green curry with rice, stir fry chicken with cashews and home made apple pie, yes the pastry too, with ice cream for 70B washed down with Italian white for 130B for 1/2 litre ?

Hi Pam yes CM plastic has cellos take one with you to show size but not sure of price, I was the only tourist that was in the big place which they thought was fun so not a lot of English. I got zip lock ones in the best best quality thick plastic so many different sizes. I make cards to so have access to cellos so send me a private message and we can chat. CM Plastic is on the NC map on the Warorot market page near the last N of Wichayanon Road. I asked in market when I got lost ! They have every little goodie you could want and certaily not need !

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