Sunday, February 1, 2009

Road Trip 2008 - Part 7, Mae Rim & back to Bangkok

Passing Chiang Mai on way back from Chiang Rai, my stopover was Mae Rim valley, just 25km north of Chiang Mai city. It is a well visited area with many resorts established up in the mountains.





















Proud Phu Fa is touted as a hip resort there so I took opportunity to check it out. It's a stylish blend of simplicity in form with antique wood carvings.





































A beautiful wooden 'door way' leading to the pool below.





































The public toilet connects to the natural environment outside.
















I like the way colored pebbles are arranged into floral patterns.





















It's spacious garden setting with beautiful views of the mountains in the backdrop.






























































































A charming village restaurant with overgrown creepers. Its interior decorated with empty wine bottles from the world over - signs of well heeled patrons I suppose.
















On the way back to Bangkok, stopped over at this Chiang Mai market for lunch and bought 'fried pig skins' - a popular local snack here for my friends in Ban Laem.
















Lampang is an area known for ceramics wares. Stopped by to check what are in stores. Prices are really cheap here - nice coffee mugs going for Bth10!





















A whole row of shops to choose from too!
















A lady came on a motorbike with vegies, snacks and even cold drink to quench your thirst - a micro "7-eleven" on a bike!
















Wood carving of a cowboy out of a single log at a store in Nakon Sawan. The store's security guard obliged to pose with it.





















This porridge store in Nakhon Sawan has TV never out of sight - guess won't miss a minute of her favorite soaps.
















It turned out the drive was enjoyable with interesting stops. All in covered a distance of 2,500km.

I do look forward coming back to Chiang Mai again.. this is Loy Krathong festival at Mae Jo certainly worth witnessing... 10,000 lanterns launched! Wow, fantastic!

No comments: