Chiang Mai - Day 1, Dhara Dhevi

Hi guys!!!  It's Octie Appetie tracing back in time with my Thailand Journey.  But this time, I'm unable to provide all the details about this unforgettable trips to the 'Land of Smile' as I wasn't doing blog yet back then.

We booked this trip as a package from one of the travel agency in Chiang Mai and actually for our honeymoon.  We really had a WONDERFUL time there and that little city in the Northern Thailand had totally captured my heart and I easily could see myself spending the rest of my life there in Chiang Mai once I retire.  Way toooooo soon to think but just make me happy!!!!  I really feel that this place is so special, romantic and captivating!!!!  And the weather is beautiful and much cooler comparing to the other cities in Thailand especially in the Winter season it normally would reach as low as 3-5 degree at night.  That's why I don't want you guys to miss it at all.. 

Probably with the photos and some of information would help giving an idea about this magical place and I also leave the contact number of that travel agency, if anyone interested.  This travel agent is unlike any other agent that will throw you in a group with some total strangers out there, they will actually arrange the private tour for you and family, although it may cost a little bit more expensive but you will have the privacy and flexibility. 

Regale International Travel

191/1-2 Soi Suksaviddhaya 2, N. Sathorn Road

Bangrak, Silom, Bangkok 10500

Inbound Dept: +66 2 635 2450

Direct Line: +66 2 635 2479

Regale International Travel Chiang Mai Branch

28/9 Singharaj Road

Sriphum, Muang, Chiang Mai

The tour visited 3 different cities in Northern Thailand for 8 days and 7 nights.  All the accommodations, transportation, entry fees and some of the meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are included already in the package.  However, the tour is started from Chiang Mai and end in Chiang Rai (so if you go to Bangkok or any other city and wanna do this tour, you have to get your own flight over there).  They have lots of flights connecting Chiang Mai to major cities in Thailand, especially from Bangkok that will take approximately 1 hour only with airlines such as Thai Airways, Nok Air, and even Air Asia..

Lucky enough that I still keep the actual itinerary, so it even make it much better and helpful for you guys if you decide to follow my trail.



Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

After the guide (English speaking) picked us up from the airport, we then started our tour by visiting the Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, a temple that located on the top of the mountain (3,500 feet above sea level) with the holy relics of the Lord Buddha kept inside the Pagoda.



Stairs to Wat Doi Suthep

As you all might know Chiang Mai city is surrounded by beautiful mountains that paint this little charming city to be such a picturesque place to visit all year round.  This Doi Suthep Royal Temple is located right on top of the mountain which you can see from far far away, the shining golden Buddha.  Once you on the foot of the temple there are two ways to climb up there by tram (30 bath) and by very tall stairs (FREE).  What we did is going up by catching that tram and down by stairs which make life much easier...

Khao Soi

This is the traditional delicacy of Chiang Mai called Khao Soi.  It's a Burmese-influenced dish, being a curry base soup-like dish with rice noodle and topped with deep fried crispy egg noodles and served with pickled cabbage, shallots, lime, and ground chilli fried in oil.  There is also some believe that the Thai version of Khao Soi was influenced by Chinese Muslim cuisine and was therefore likely comes with chicken or beef.  The curry base itself is somewhat similar to that yellow or massaman curry but a thinner consistency.  It's the first time I tried this dish, and got me big time and become one of my fav dish!!!  However, this dish still pretty rare to find in Sydney, the one I know is in Chat Thai but taste somewhere off the standard, I think.


Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi Hotel , Chiang Mai
51/4 Chiang Mai - Sankhamphaeng Road Moo 1, T. Tasala A. Muang
Chiang Mai, 50000, Thailand
Ph: (66) 053-888 888

This resort wasn't supposed to be on the itinerary but we specially requested for it, for Thai people roughly will costs about 15,000 bath per night for a Deluxe Villa with Outdoor Jacuzzi (about $500) but unfortunately for foreigner, it will cost much more expensive.  The place was massive and the artistic influences from Ancient Lanna period (one of the kingdom period long time ago in Northern Thailand), temple style architecture to a haven of peace.  They have their own charms that set them apart from any five stars hotel out there.  We saw it in the internet and vow ourself that we have to stay there even for a nite otherwise we would be soo regret.

The more review about this AMAZING place will be in the next blog so please stay tuned guys.....

I was really regretted that didn't take more good photos of the resort and the pictures that I posted here perhaps not that appealing but trust me on this guys.  I have been travelling extensively and never ever stayed in hotel room this precious and majestic in my entire life!!!  This is the place, you will never forget.  I couldn't find any words to describe this place, is that beautiful!!!!!!!!

Once we arrived, they greeted us with a roses bouquet and a glass of "Nam Ma Tum" juice (Bael or Quince fruit), very nice and refreshing.  They serve us in an extremely polite and humble manner as they are treating the royal King and Queen.  So unbelievably touching !!!!  Then the chauffeur took us to our villa with golf like buggy.  We actually able to walk there to our room but from the concierge, it would take about 10 minutes walking noted that.

The villa room that we got is like a two storey house with the spacious living room and semi-outdoor kitchen on the first floor plus the outdoor dining table viewing the little garden.  Then the bedroom, ensuite and outdoor jacuzzi are on the second floor.  The villa is complete with little garden in the front yard and the outdoor pool in the backyard for relaxing.  It's an enormous size villa that full of woody furniture and Thai-style house.

First time we opened the front door of our luxury villa for tonight, I was so amazed and stunned by their size and looks.  Beautifully Thai home-style decoration which bring you to enjoy the Lanna period experience (Thai old kingdom).  The colour and the furniture allocation are just right and comforting.

A special complimentary gift from the resort to make this honeymoon even so much sweeter.  A lovely pink colour roses bouquet and a sweet heart-shaped box full of yummy macaroons also a bottle of champagne on arrival.  It's just a nice and thoughtful turn down service.

When we arrived our room in the morning, there wasn't any rose petals on the bed and jacuzzi.  But after we came back from night market, we were so surprised looking at our bedroom transformed to be like a romantic Hollywood-scene.  Surely, it made our nite to be THE MOST unforgettable night for us.


Sunday night market in Chiang Mai

Every Sunday night, this Chiangmai main street (Chang Klan road, between Tha Pae and Sri Donchai roads)
will transform to be a bustling walking street where you will see lots of crowd mixed of tourists and local wandering along in searching and bargaining for some unique local handmade, antique piece of handcraft and so many yummy food stalls that will lure you to have some of them.



Keep on reading for the next blog in Chiang Mai:

Dhara Dhevi Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Chaing Mai