Asian Adventure: Chiang Mai

Day 3 – Chiang Mai

Day 3: The Empress Hotel

Accommodation: Contiki Guide: Emo

Local Guide: Mr. Boonie

Highlights: Wat Phra That Temple, Tiger Kingdom, Thai cooking class, Chiang Mai night market

Travelling in an overnight train is one of those experiences that seem both distasteful and incredibly exciting at the same time. It is something foreign, yet you understand how it works (in theory at least). But no amount of researching will prepare you for the seat to bunk bed change that begins to occur at around nine o’clock at night. The change takes away the prospect of a seated, sleepless night to a dormitory, bed like experience. When the cards and discussions are over and sleep overcomes you the next thing you will know is the call of the orange juice man. The waking announcement of “orange juice, orange juice, orange juice” reminds me of the ‘mielies’ call in the Madam and Eve cartoons of my early childhood. This invaluable figure to the experience will be the one that awakens you to a new city, location and culture - Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai is different from Bangkok. Firstly it is smaller and secondly it lacks the party goer tourists. Rather it attracts travellers wishing to experience a different culture. After dropping our bags off at the hotel, eating a delicious breakfast and freshening up in the pool’s changing rooms (our rooms would still not be ready for several hours) we catch a bus to Wat Phra That Temple. The 360 step climb gives you a great oppertunity to see the local products, food and souvenirs unique to Chiang Mai. At the temple we leave our shoes at the entrance and receive a briefing on Buddhist religion, beliefs and culture. Our group is given the option of whether they want to be blessed by a monk and then learn about the colour and Buddha that match the day of the week that they were born on. After decent we head back to our hotel where some of the group have opted to organise an excursion to Tiger Kingdom (not part of contiki tour).

Tiger Kingdom itself serves as part of a breeding and rearing program to protect the five remaining species of tigers. They care for tigers up to the age of two. At the kingdom you get the opportunity to pet tigers of different ages. While the tigers are tame and used to humans to some degree, they are NOT domesticated and are still wild at heart. This is a constant reminder to respect what the tiger will tolerate or want you to do while with it. The tigers are well cared for by their trainers/keepers and the babies adore the attention (they are like giant, adorable kittens)!

Finishing off this packed day is a self-made supper with “The best Thai Cookery School*” taught by Permpoon Nabain. Permpoon first takes you through all the ingredients and how to buy the best ingredients in a market. He then takes you to his outdoor cookery school. Permpoon is not just an excellent chef and teacher; he is also a fantastic entertainer and incredibly accommodating to those with specific dietary requirements (eg. vegetarian). He manages to keep an audience of twenty-seven people (all of whom manage to cook a soup, three curries for main course and watch a demonstration for desert) captivated for more than two hours. Our dishes unbelievably turn out not only edible but delicious!

The day is then brought to a close by checking out Chiang Mai’s amazing night markets where there was lady-boy show (which most of us missed, so caught up with the market as we were).

*The Best Thai Cookery School (Permpoon Nabain)

Moblie: 089-7552632

Email: pplnabian@hotmail.com

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