Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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buksida
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Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by buksida »

Well folks its time for another photo trip report, mrs buksi and the tribe wanted some chilly weather so we decided to head north to Chiang Mai and Rai for a couple of weeks. We booked on Air Asia from Don Muang as Kan Air from Hua Hin was over double the price and with four of us it adds up. In hindsight driving ourselves would have been the most practical and economical way so we'll do that next time. On with the show ...

The temperature difference on exiting the airport was instantly noticeable, at least ten degrees cooler than the balmy climes of the south. Our hotel was a little way out of the city but we'd be hiring bikes so it didnt really matter, the first day was spent wandering around and getting our bearings.

Next morning we hired a couple of Honda Waves and headed up Doi Suthep.
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No qualms about exploiting children to earn a quick buck from tourists here ...
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As expected this place was very touristy, 80% of them Chinese. At the top of the stairs was a Thai fellow in civilian clothes busily running around after the white people to make sure they bought an entrance ticket - he didn't bother with any of the Asian looking folk.

Great views from the top but it was time to move on and get away from the crowds ...

To follow: Bhuping Palace and Doi Pui
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by PeteC »

I have to chuckle at 1620. :D What a great caption competition that would make, but the young one's thoughts may have to be censored! :laugh: Pete :cheers:
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by Khundon1975 »

buksida Great pictures.

The wife, son and all her extended family have just come back from a 4 week trip to Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai/Burma and Laos.
They hired a couple of those mini buses with drivers and toured all over the area and had a wonderful time.

Traveled well off the beaten track many times and stayed at little family hotels, instead of the larger ones.
A real adventure for our son, who spent his birthday exploring some jungle country and going down the Mekong on a boat.

:cheers:
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by migrant »

Great pics as always, thanks!

Like Pete said the boy's expressions are great! Wonder if they made the final portrait??
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by buksida »

Further up the same road from Doi Suthep is the Royal gardens of Phuping Palace which we had a pleasant stroll around. Many plants and flowers from colder climes are exhibited here in these pristinely kept grounds.
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A small entrance fee to get in and no dual pricing here, this spot in my opinion was nicer than the temple at Doi Suthep. We headed over to a local restaurant after for some Khao Soy.

To follow: Doi Pui
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by Roel »

Hi buksida,

Probably something to do with the new server: I cannot see the pictures. He asks me to download them one by one, but even that route is a no-go as the message appears: this image no longer exists.

I will be patient although you have been to my all time favorite part of Thailand.
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by Dannie Boy »

Roel wrote:Hi buksida,

Probably something to do with the new server: I cannot see the pictures. He asks me to download them one by one, but even that route is a no-go as the message appears: this image no longer exists.

I will be patient although you have been to my all time favorite part of Thailand.
Yes same here, whereas before the server changeover I could see them fine.
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by buksida »

Looks like my photos were deep sixed during the transfer, will upload them again for this topic and look into the issue for other missing images.
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by buksida »

After lunch we continued up a precariously twisting single lane track clinging to the side of the mountain to the Doi Pui view point - no Chinese tour busses up here - the reason for this was evident later. We set off for what we thought would be a short hike to the top - wrong. 2.5 kilometers later we made it to the summit, kids were utterly disappointed to be greeted with a solitary sign instead of a McDonalds for all of their hard work.
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The viewpoint was another 300 meters along what I could only describe as a 'sky path', a narrowing spit of land in the clouds. There were some pretty special views at the end of it.
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There were no other tourists so the tranquility of the surroundings were appreciated even more. Asians dont walk anywhere so we had the place to ourselves!

To follow: 3D Art Gallery
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

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I dont usually patronise places that practice such epically disproportionate dual pricing (400 baht for farangs to get in, 100 for Thais), but the better half really wanted to go so that evening we headed into town to the Art In Paradise 3D and illusion art gallery. I've come to the conclusion that trying to fight dual pricing just leaves a sour taste in the mouth and lowers the enjoyment of what you're there to see - after nearly two decades here I've come to accept the inevitable 'white man tax' as there is bugger all I can do about it. On the up side we had the place to ourselves, the kids had a ball, and I got some really unique shots ...
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To follow: more from the art gallery.
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by Roel »

Hi buksida,

Did you re-upload? Still only get download links instead of images and clicking the link shows this:
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by buksida »

Bugger knows what keeps happening to my photos - re-uploaded them all again. Here are some more from the gallery ...
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To follow: Chiang Mai surrounds and zoo
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by migrant »

Looks like the kids enjoyed better than the hike!
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by Dannie Boy »

Great photos and so lifelike!!
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Re: Photo trip report: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai loop

Post by lomuamart »

Good photos. I especially liked the one where the boys are painting Mona's eyebrows on.
EDIT all you've got to do now is take the clan the The Louvre :banghead:
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