Thursday, September 18, 2008 Heading north By Jinggoy Salvador
THAILAND is truly amazing and Thais know it- that is their tourism battle cry.
Culturally rich, you need time -- lots of it! -- to explore every nook and cranny, every territory, hop from one island to another to be able to enjoy it completely.
This is why I swore to myself to do "side trips" and visit an area in the Sawadee Kah country that I haven't been to. Pattaya was the last one and now I head up north to see the mountains. I am going to Chiang Mai!
Although it is only an hour and a half plane ride to Chiang Mai, I opted for an adventure and rode an overnight train, about twelve and a half hours more than the plane. I'm in no rush.
Besides, it's like sleeping in a hotel room that offers first-class (private cabins) and second-class (seats fold out to make sleeping berths) service. The state railway operates 14 trains a day to Chiang Mai Station from Bangkok. Most journeys run overnight and take approximately 12-15 hours.
Nine a.m., I set foot in Chiang Mai and have traveled some 700 kilometers north of Bangkok and sits approximately 310 meters above sea level.
This is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand, and is the capital of Chiang Mai Province, among some of the highest mountains in the country. The city stands on the Ping River, a major tributary of the Chao Phraya River.
Chiang Mai means "new city" and was founded by King Mengrai in 1296 and it succeeded Chiang Rai as capital of the Lanna kingdom. Lying next to Burma, the city was surrounded with a moat and a defensive wall to protect it against raids from the neighbor. The walls still stand and are preserved.
In 1774, Chiang Mai officially became part of Siam when the Thai King Taksin captured it from the Burmese. It became the second important city in Thailand next to Bangkok. With the rise in both cultural, and trading and economic terms, Chian Mai adopted its current status as the unofficial capital of the north of Thailand.
It is quite obvious that this northern territory has become a modern city. It may not be as cosmopolitan as Bangkok but the development is fast maybe due to the increasing influx of foreign visitors yearly.
Even with the city's development and shopping allure (the famous nightly bazaar for arts, handicrafts, and counterfeit products of all descriptions is an amazing experience!), Chiang Mai's main attraction is still nature.
When you go to Chiang Mai, try to be one with nature and Chiang Mai's culture with hill-tribe tourism and trekking on foot and/or on elephant rides, and visits to various local hill tribes of Akha, Hmong, Karen, and Lisu.
Visit the elephant nature park (about one hour drive 60 kilometers north of the city) and be a doting parent to 30 rescued elephants.
Or go mountain biking, bamboo rafting, and kayaking. Play golf? Hike the trails of Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand? Shoot up your caffeine level or feel like an haciendero in tea and coffee plantations?
Or go eco-friendly with the Flight of the Gibbon, a zipline tour that donates profits to gibbon conservation.
Tired? Then it's time for your Thai massage. It is unbelievable that there is no shortage of establishments offering relaxation.
From the back streets to the main thoroughfare, Chiang Mai has a variety of massage parlors that offer anything from quick, simple, face and foot massages, to the most invigorating spa escape. That all depends on how much you want to shell out.
If you're staying longer, why not try to learn and take home something Thai other than what is available in the night bazaar? It is here that you can take month-long courses in the art of Thai massage or Thai cookery.
This will win you "pogi" points for sure and make your way faster to anyone's heart.
Although the old city can be covered on foot (which is what I recommend), there are local public transport in three forms for the lazier ones: tuktuks, songthaews (the latter known locally as rot daeng, literally "red car"), and the recently re-launched, though infrequent, Chiang Mai Bus service.
Red car fare is usually 20 Thai baht per person for trips in and around the city while Tuktuk fare is usually at least 50 baht per trip and fare increases with distance so be sure to negotiate first.
