Mae Hong Son

Previously:

Mae Kampong Village

Mae Hong Son is a province that boast with rich natural beauties like mountain ranges, forests and flowers.  Remotely located in North-West of Thailand, bordering with Myanmar.  Remote because it is rather difficult to reach this city.  First option, on the road, from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, you need to overcome with more than 1,800 curves that will most likely cause some nausea or puke.  Another alternative is by flying, the flight only flies out from Chiang Mai with small plane.  This way though could be more convenient and time-saver but it comes with the price too.  

The city has also famously known as "the city of three mists" as it is surrounded by high mountains and covered with mist in all three seasons.  That's why Mae Hong Son is blessed with cool weather all year round.  The things to do there are mostly in relation to visiting temples, enjoying the beauty of natures as well as learning hill tribes art and culture.

As I mentioned earlier, driving from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son could be a little daunting and exciting at the same time.  There are 2 main ways to go to Mae Hong Son, the road number 108 or another one passing Pai city.  As we were going to stay in Mae Hong Son for the next two nights then continue to Pai after, so we were taking the scenic route 108 and complete the whole circle.  It will take about 6 to 8 hours considering how many stops you will make to puke 😆.  Thus, we left our hotel early like 9 am and were taking it slow.  On the way, we made a quick stop at Wat Phra That Si Chom Thong: a Thai Buddhist temple which dedicated to those born in the year of the Rat.   

Finally, after eight hours on the car, we survived the curves without any vomit or nausea.  Thanks to our excellent driver/hubby who drove the car safe and sound until reach the destination.  And here are some places we visited around Mae Hong Son city.

Sutongpe Bridge

Sutongpe in Tai Yai language actually means succesful.  There was a story behind this bridge.  It was built by the local residents to help Monks passing that way back to the temple without stepping on the wet rice fields below.  

Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu

Wat Chong Klang, a beautiful temple opposite a lake

After a long day, one of my favourite thing to do for our dinner meal is in-room dining.  On my pj's and kids were roaming the room, while noones actually care.  Superb.  The next night, we were actually planning to go to night market which is located around the lake.  Unfortunately we didn't go, beacuse it was raining very terribly hard.  So if anyone by any chance ever did go there, please share me your experiences!

  

our breakfast at Imperial hotel

Their breakfast ranges, for my opinion, are too simple.  That's Ok, we were gonna go hunting more food somewhere else. 

Imperial Mae Hong Son Hotel

149 Moo 8, Pangmoo Muang, Mae Hong Son

Ph: +66 53 684 444

Stay tuned for the next blog in Mae Hong Son:

Ban Rak Thai Village

Mae Kampong Village

Previously:

Chiang Mai City 

Only an hour's drive from Chiang Mai lies the hidden peaceful Mae Kampong village or Ban Mae Kampong.  It is a small village in the Mae On district which is about 50km east of Chiang Mai and it made a perfect mountain escape from the city.  This place dazzles with its natural beauty of landscape and its unique and simple way of life of the villagers.  The houses there are lined up by the valley and the creek alongside abundant waterfalls and jungles with cool weather throughout the year.  This small village has population that less than 400 people and their main earnings are from tea leaf growing and coffee plantation.  

You could also embrace more with the community culture and lifestyle as well as participating in their daily activities by staying overnight at a villager's homestay.  Not only peace and serenity that can be found here, lots of adventurous activities to do too, such as zip lining and hiking. 

With this red van, it can take you around town, most of them park in front of the temple.  Although you may have your own transportation, using this van is a lot more convenient and safer.  It costs start from 20 baht pp only.  

Ing Dao cafe for refreshing drinks and an enchanting village view from above

Ing Dao cafe is one of the famous cafe in Mae Kampong with a captiviting view over the village.  I was pretty surprised too with the numbers of cakes they have in the shop.  It is a real deal.  And the view... totally WOW!!!  Picture can never capture the whole beauty though.  

Sai ua and khai pam are a-must try food in here.  Sai ua is a northern Thai pork sausage while khai pam is a grilled egg in banana leaf.

Having a stroll in the city and enjoying their pristine beauty and tranquility while observing local lifestyle and culture is honestly just what I needed. 

Stay tuned for the next blog in Mae Hong Son:

Mae Hong Son

Chiang Mai City

It has been a while that I absent from posting about my traveling journey.  Although we travel domestically since Covid-19 outbreak, but we've never done a big trip until this 10-days Northern trip.  So, I am back with travelling blog with some adjustments following the new normal lifestyle plus with one more toddler attached.  That's why travelling could be a little more challenging for us.  

I miss the Northern part of Thailand, especially their weather, their beauty and nature as well as people over there are so nice and friendly.  Last time I'd been there, it was around 3 years ago.  It changes so much.  We also visited lots of places we've never seen before.  Therefore, if you are looking for some general tourist places, I won't be much helpful.  As we explored the new-hype places and less-travelled path.  So for whoever looking for more adventurous trip in Northern Thailand, you are definitely in the right page.  

It took about 8-10 hours drive from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.  Our 10-days Northern trip which break it down into 2 nights in Chiang Mai, then 2 nights in Mae Hong Son, after that 2 nights in Pai, one night in Doi Tung, next we stay in Chiang Rai for 2 nights before end our trip at Phitsanulok for just one night.  The first 2 nights, we stayed at Furama hotel, which is located at the fringe of Chiang Mai CBD.  The hotel itself looks quite old, however, it was pretty cheap and convenient location.   

My little one enjoys her bed

Wow!!! Doi Suthep mountain view from our window. 

We didn't include breakfast here, for a quicky, some cereal will do. 

Khao Soi Beef

Khao Soi is a national dish of Chiang Mai.  We had one in our all-time favorite shop, called Khao Soi Samerjai.  If you cannot get a car park right in front of the shop, you always can park at the temple next door (Wat Fa Ham).  Khao soi is a northern style noodle with curry base soup served with either beef or chicken.  The broth itself is thick and flavorsome then topped with some deep-fried noodle and condiments on the side: pickled mustard greens and fresh slices red onions.

Wat Chet Yod

One of the most visited temple in Chiang Mai especially for whom born in Snake year according to Chinese zodiac.

Pratu Tha Phae

Tha Phae Gate or what's normally called Prathu Tha Phae is one of the well-known landmark in Chiang Mai and is part of the ruins city wall that has been preserved dates back to ancient times.  It is also home to the busy Sunday night market.

If you are travelling with young kids, this Chiang Mai Night Safari will surely be the helper in satisfying your real life wires.  They opens for 2 sessions which are afternoon and evening.  Of course, evening is better because is where the night predators come alive.  Since Covid, they have limited visitors each session, so it is highly recommended to make a booking online or by phone.  

The highlight is undeniably the tram ride.  I suggest you guys to join the ride at the first slot which is 17:30, since you will start the ride with bright sky, so you can enjoy scenery both before and after twilight. 

It could be weekdays or probably in Covid situation. I feel that the number of visitors were too little.  I'm not complaining here, because there was absolutely no queue to get personal encounter and to hold some animals.  

If you weren't there in Chiang Mai on Sunday, don't worry!!  Chiang Mai has so many other street food night markets that more local and offers equally good or even better range of foods than Chiang Mai Sunday night market.  We went to this More Space market near Chiang Mai University, the place looks funky with plenty food to choose from local Thai snacks and international dishes like Korean and Western burger.

Stay tuned for the next blog and Octie Appetie, guys...

Mae Kampong Village

Furama Hotel Chiang Mai

54 Huay Keaw Rd, Tambon Chang Phueak, Mueang Chiang Mai District

Phone: +66 53 415 222

Khao soi Samerjai

391 Fa Ham, Mueang Chiang Mai

Phone: +66 81 764 8723

Open 7 days from 7:30 - 17:00

Chiang Mai Night Safari

Nong Kwai District, Chiang Mai

Entry fee for Thai citizen is 150pp

More Space Market

Nimmanahaeminda Road, Mueang Chiang Mai District

Opposite Chiang Mai University (CMU)

Open: 11am-10pm

Lemon Meringue Pie

Lemon meringue pie is surely my all-time-favorite dessert.  I love this just because it has all the balanced combinations.  This lemony bliss consists of three delicate layers of heaven.  Each layer gives different texture and flavor.  The flaky buttery crust base brings something to chew.  The fresh citrusty lemon filling is so velvety smooth and creamy, while packs with real punch of sourness and tartness from lemon.  For the meringue on top, it has billowy and toasty touch.  The sweetness from the meringue definitely balances out the sour taste from lemon curd.  So what's not to love?

Let's start with the base.  I have been sticking with this pie crust recipe ever since I discovered it.  In the past, I always cheated the pie base by using crumbed Ritz crackers with added melted butter.  I won't put so much description for this base recipe in this post because it is exactly the same with the previous one. (please check this one out, pumpkin pie)

While waiting for my pie base to bake, I prepare my curd.  Bring to boil: water, sugar, salt, lemon juice and cornstarch.  Once it got thicken, reduce the heat and drop egg yolks in - one at a time - still keep stirring.  Becareful that egg can be curdling when cook too quick or too long.  Then remove them from the heat and add in your butter cubes and lemon zest.  Stir well until all butter has melted and they all are well combined. 

By then your pie shell is definitely ready.  So pour all your lemon curd into pre-baked shell.  Then set them aside for now.  Do not keep the filling in the fridge as we want it to stay hot when we top it with meringue.  This can help reducing the chance of meringue to collapse.  Also, the heat from filling will instantly cook the bottom part of meringue, make it much less likely to shrink.  

After that, prepare your meringue.  It is very simple and easy.  In a clean and dry bowl, whisk your egg whites until slightly foamy then gradually add the sugar as well as cream of tartar.  Continue beating for a few more minutes, until glossy and stiff peaks form. 

Where cream of tartar is not available, you can replace it with ½ teaspoon of lemon juice.  

Flip over head test

In the meantime, pre-heat the oven to 190 degree celcius.  Then pipe or spoon the meringue mixture over the top while the filling is still hot.  Any looks from the traditional mounting and spiky to the fancy kisses shapes, whatsoever, making sure that meringue should completely cover until the crust edge.  This will allow the meringue to hold onto the crust so the two do not separate. 

Bake for about 10-12 minutes until the peak has the nice golden color.  Remove from oven and allow to cool before chilling it for couple more hours in the fridge. For slicing the pie, use the knife that has been dipped in hot water to prevent the meringue from collapsing when we slice it. This lemon meringue delight could be store up to three days in the refrigerator before it goes watery and wilted. But I do not think it will last that long anyway.

Pie Base Recipe Plain flour 1½ cups Caster sugar 2 tbsp Chilled butter, chopped 120 gr Water 2 tsp I like to add a pinch of salt (optional) Method 1. Combine the flour, sugar, salt and butter in a food processor     and process until mixture resembles breadcrumbs.     You can knead the base using hand, if processor is not available 2. Add water and pulse to combine. 3. Gently knead until smooth. 4. Wrap and chill for 30 minutes. 5.  Roll out the pastry between 2 sheets of baking paper to line      a deep 9" pie tin with removable base.  Or just using hand. 6. Prick well with a fork. 7. Bake in preheated 190⁰C oven for 10 minutes.     Pie weights are not necessary

  

Lemon Curd Filling and Meringue Recipe For the lemon filling Egg yolks 4 large eggs Cornstarch 3 tbsp Water 60 ml Sugar 120 gr Salt ¼ tsp Butter 5 tbsp Lemon juice ½ cup Lemon zest 1 tbsp For the meringue topping Egg white 4 large eggs Caster sugar 8 tbsp Cream of tartar 1 pinch (½ tsp of lemon juice can be used instead of cream of tartar)   Method 1. Prepare your crust base. 2. In a pot, combine water, cornstarch, sugar, salt and lemon juice     bring to boil. 3. Reduce the heat and add in egg yolks one at a time while keep stirring. 4. Remove from heat and add in butter cubes and lemon zest. 5. Stir until butter melted and well combined. Pour onto your pre-baked shell. 6. Preheat the oven to 190⁰C 7. Make the meringue by beating egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar.     Until glossy and stiff peaks form.  8. Spoon or pipping the meringue on top of the hot lemon filling.     Cover all of the filling.  It allows the meringue to hold onto the crust     So the two do not separate. 9. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the peak turns golden. 10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.  Then chill it in the fridge for       couple of hours before slicing and serving.