Chiangmai - Day 3 - 14/8

Today is my birthday. I turn 57 this day!

We woke up bright and early. The van that will take us sightseeing was coming at 7:30 am. We had booked a full day tour up the mountains to the highest peak in Thailand - Doi Inthanon. 

The tour include a visit to the king and queen garden built specially for the king's 60th birthday. 

Lesson 4 - bring enough money so that you can sign up for better tour trips like the Doi Inthanon tour!

We almost missed this fascinating tour as we had insufficient funds until we found out that the tour company allowed us to pay with card.

Excited, we make the 2 hour journey to Doi Inthanon with a break at one of the highway stops. I found an Amazon cafe and enjoyed the green tea latte again. I had become hooked! Probably from the green tea latte I took in Hokkaido so much so that everywhere I went I had to look for the same latte that I had tasted and drank!

 Doi Inthanon was cold. The temperature about 15%C but it was clear and refreshing. We walked the nature trail and admired the trees and flowers. 

After the trip to the top, our van took us to the king and queen garden. Beautiful flower gardens adorned 2 pagodas dedicated to the king and queen. They were built for them when the king turned 60. I did not go up to the pagoda-like structure as I felt that it was like a temple.

However the flower gardens were really enjoyable. We then visited the Hmong market on the way down. We saw many types of nuts and local sweets but no coffee.

We had lunch at the king's station a place opened by the late king of Thailand to provide employment for the local people. All kinds of vegetables, fruits, chicken and fish were bred there. The restaurant served lunch which was cooked from the produce freshly harvested from the station to the tour group - 2 ladies from Barcelona, a couple from Singapore and us. 

We then made our way to the karen village. Here we sampled the best coffee freshly ground (by the way I am not a coffee fan but T is) and T decided to buy their freshly ground. The fragrance of the coffee was intoxicating. According to T, they were the best coffee he had ever drank.

Final stop, the beautiful Watchirathan waterfall meaning diamond waterfall. Indeed the falling waters look like diamond drops from afar. It was so cool and refreshing. We could have stayed there whole day enjoying the splashing cool waters.

We reached about 5:30 pm at our hotel. After a short rest and shower, we were ready for Khun Toke!

Khun Toke is a traditional Thai restaurant serving Thai dishes in a big platter and with traditional seating places on the floor and long tables. We opted for the tables. While we dined we were treated to traditional Thai dancers from the many different tribes in Thailand.

The dancing was lovely and graceful. The food was unique. We were served many kinds of dishes in small bowls. Waiters continually refill the dishes upon request - chicken, pork, pork skin, vegetables, sweet potatoes, sweet sauce - it was simply delicious.

At the end of the dinner, we were invited to join the dancers on stage with guidance from the dancers themselves!

Later when we got back to the hotel, we were surprised to received a small cake and fruits - compliments from the hotel to celebrate my birthday!

A memorable birthday indeed!