Accidentally Thailand (Prelude to Part 1)
4 Dec - How India Became Thailand?
India, here we come!
That was our intended destination and one that we'd been longing for for weeks. This was also our first flight out from the new Budget Terminal on Tiger Airways. Grandma and Grandpa went with us to send us off.
But the real excitement came when the immigration officer flipped repeatedly through our passports and asked for our visa.
"Huh? We need visa to India?" Daddy responded. That was it, India evaporated.
Daddy and Mummy exchanged look and were so amused that it had to have been some divine intervention to divert us elsewhere. India would have to wait for our next round of holiday...
After some enquiry, we changed our tickets and decided to head for Chiang Mai at 6.30am the next morning. So, Thailand, here we come!
Accidentally Thailand (Part 1)
5-7 Dec - Hill Tribe Adventure in Chiang Rai
We spent the night at Eunos and set off to the Budget Terminal again 5 hours later.
We had no idea what to do, where to go or stay, in Chiang Mai. But that's the uncertain excitement and surprises that come with such an impromptu travel adventure.
Then we met Mr Daniel Chung in the queue at the Budget Terminal. He was taking the same flight and heading for Chiang Rai to launch a new school that his Nanyang University Alumini built. After the conversation with him, we decided that our first destination would be Chiang Rai!
With Mr Daniel's help, we caught a song-taew (taxi) from Chiang Mai directly to the bus terminal, and bought our coach tickets to Chiang Rai. Then we realised that we'd arrived on the day when the entire nation was celebrating the King's 80th birthday!
We enjoyed our first Thai breakfast at the bus terminal and a restful sleep on the 3-hour long coach ride to Chiang Rai.
Arriving at the Chiang Rai bus terminal, Mummy caught sight of a travel agency, PK Tigerland, and we found its boss, Mr Kitt, helpful and professional. He became our guide for a wonderful tour to visit some hill tribes for the next 2 days.
We stayed just 2 units away at the Orchid Hut for the night. The location was great as it was right where the night bazaar was.
The night market sprang to life by night fall. There were hundreds of stalls and it was one of the most lively night markets we'd been to. The food bazaar was fantastic too and we enjoyed many variety of delicious Thai food. And the place was packed! Robyn bought a pink jacket as we were not prepared for the highland cool temperature.
6 Dec
Our 2-day Hill Tribe Adventure began with a pleasant boat ride along the Kok River to the Elephant Camp.
There were many elephants at the Elephant Camp. We saw some elephants bringing tourists back to the camp via the river route.
Wow, sitting so high up on the elephant, one must be able to catch a great view of the mountains around!
All work and no play makes baby Jumbo a dull elephant.
We enjoyed a wonderful lunch before setting off on our Jumbo ride to a hill tribe village called Ban Yafu 17 km and 3 hours away.
This would be Robyn's first elephant ride through the forest, river and the hills.
The ride was fascinating. The elephant could walk on narrow and hilly paths, and river beds, where human would find trying. Of course, we imagine it may not be easy for the elephant too!
It was a challenge trying to hang on to the seat while the elephant was walking, especially downhill. Uphill is more comfortable, but it must be pretty bad for the elephant's knees.
After 3 hours of bumpy ride, we finally arrived at Ban Yafu village.
It was tricky to feed the elephant because it liked to blow at you with its long trunk. Its amazing finger-like trunk tip was able to grip the banana very precisely and firmly.
Ban Yafu is a beautiful hill tribe village that enjoys a breathtaking view of hillscape.
This was the 'bamboo bungalow' that we stayed overnight at Ban Yafu. Mummy Jin was doing a headstand beside Robyn.
The extensive and innovative use of bamboo in building houses, fences, furniture, utensils and kids' toys was impressive.
Alvin, Jin and Robyn enjoying local tea at the bamboo chalet, which has bamboo flooring, walls and roof.
Walking around the village, we met friendly villagers who belong to the Lahu hill tribe. Many women weave traditional cloth for making clothing, bags and garments.
Our guide, Mr Kitt, showed us numerous bridges and humanitarian projects undertaken by Singaporean groups such as SMU, Republic Poly and Singapore International Foundation. We were proud to know that Singaporeans had been caring and generous in making an impact in this faraway land.
We enjoyed a most wonderful evening of local cooking, interesting chat with Mr Kitt and a fantastic view of night starry sky. The highland temperature was low but the blanket was thick and warm. It was a good night of rest for all of us.
7 Dec
In the cool morning, we practised our yoga and meditation at the balcony of our bamboo chalet. "Om...."
Alvin and Robyn listening to the surrounding natural sounds of birds, chicken, pigs, dogs and insects...
Followed by delicious Thai style breakfast of porridge with piping hot Ovaltine.
Exploring around, we discovered that Ban Yafu has great views from every angle as it was perched on a high ground. The surrounding hills unfold like a prized painting that spans the horizon against a sky so blue that fixated our glaze. We felt we could stand there and take in the view forever...
From Ban Yafu, Mr Kitt rode us in his 4x4 jeep to visit the highest point, Doi Boa View Point (945m), Huey Mae Sai Waterfall and other hill tribe villages - Ban Jalae and Ban Apa.
The Huey Mae Sai Waterfall was a welcome stop as we always enjoy waterfalls in all our travels. The water was clear and refreshingly cool.
Here, we learnt a great deal about the different types of bamboo from Mr Kitt. Being a Karen who grew up in the farm, he explained which type of bamboo is used for house construction, which is for cooking bamboo rice and which for making utensils.
Ban Apa is an Akha village that's more updated and modern as compared to Ban Yafu. Here, we saw many more zinc roofed houses and the villagers enjoy electricity.
Robyn with a small Akha boy.
Back in the jeep again, we visited Mr Kitt's Karen village enroute to Chiang Rai.
The 2-day Hill Tribe Adventure was most educational and fun. Robyn's best memory was the elephant ride.
On Mr Kitt's recommendation, we checked in to the nearby North Hotel, a very new 7-month old hotel.
Mummy Jin and Daddy Alvin enjoyed Thai foot massage before dinner time.
As a token of appreciation, we invited Mr Kitt to join us for dinner at a vegetarian restaurant. After that, it was an enjoyable round of shopping at the Night Bazaar.
The next morning, we would head to serene Naga Hill for our hideaway retreat...
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