Guesthouse | Travel and Life in Thailand

A New Year Comes in Chiang Mai Style.

Jan 012009

100_4140 Who knows, this New Year might just see me keeping this blog section more up to date. Thing is I’ve given myself so many new projects for the site that certain things in this one man show take time to catch up on. Good to report that the Guesthouse has been doing reasonably well considering the present world economics and local political turmoil that are affecting tourist numbers. Thanks to loyal regulars and some lovely newcomers we have been doing much better than expected.

Having now revised my interview sheets, with translation help from Ally, I hope to get on with the “Day in The Life Of…” series, which from next week will be at least a weekly feature and hopefully eventually becoming a daily one.

Also look out for the next two additions to the photo guide to Chiang Mai, to be posted within the next 4 days.

On top of this there will be more Temple reports, along with some travel logs from my 3 years in Thailand, still awaiting revision and transfer from the old version of this site. The first of these will appear later today.

The coming of the New Year was marked in Ratchadamnoen by an early morning parade on the 30th.

100_3917 100_3939 Marching bands preceded a procession of hundreds of Monks and Novices and local school children carrying of a huge long orange robe, followed by a beautiful cart, also pulled by local schoolchildren.

In between these were other groups, army cadets, and others wearing traditional costumes and carrying ceremonial items.

For many more photos visit our photobucket album here.

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100_3965 The cart was carrying a special water bowl, brought all the way from Lamphun.

One of the Monks, from Wat Chedi Luang, ( a regular at the Temples ‘Monk Chat’), informed me that the procession would go to Wat Phra Sing, where there would be a ceremony in which water brought from a sacred place in Lamphun, (carried on the cart), would be doused over the Pagoda.

100_3941 Following this, the long orange robe would be wrapped around the Pagoda at the end of this ceremony to ward of Bad Spirits in the coming year.

He also joked that as it is cold season they need to keep the Pagoda warm.

New Years Eve was marked by entertainment on a big stage in Thapae Gate and the releasing of hundreds of paper lanterns and fireworks throughout the evening.

I truely wish that this year brings better cheer to the world than its predecessor.

Room 1 no Show Bonus at The Brick Road Guesthouse Chiang Mai

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Dec 092008

Update for tomorrow. What looked like being a frustrating no show by the people who booked room 1 for tonight turned into good news for both us and a great bunch of Canadian guys who arrived late looking for rooms. The guys were so grateful they insisted on paying over the odds because they couldn’t believe the price (250 for the room, 62.5 baht each for 4 people). Thanks guys. But don’t worry folks this won’t make me up the price.

And if there are any similar groups looking, the good news for you is that these guys are only passing through and are off to Lao tomorrow so the bargain is up for grabs again tomorrow.

Other rooms available at time of writing are room 6, ( single room at 100 baht a night); and room 5 (twin room at 200 baht a night). All our prices are per room not per person.

Its worth checking if you are after a double room too as the young lady in Room 2 was unsure how many nights she woud be here. that room is just 150 baht.

Rooms in Chiang Mai? We have 6 lovely ones:)

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Dec 062008

Today’s daily room availability update finds us with 3 of our 6 rooms available, room 1, room 2, and room 3.

Don’t forget that along with your room you get use of our communal lounge with cable TV that has all the major news channels from around the world.

Use of our internet connection is free and we now have the wireless service too.

There is no curfew, military or guest house imposed, so come and go as you please. We have night staff on throughout the night.

So come and join our happy home,Guest House. Always good to phone ahead and book your room before they fill up again. And even if you were looking for one of the other rooms, its still worth phoning, in case of cancellations.

Brick Road Temple Tour…Wat Tung Yuu

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Nov 272008

Leaving the guest house and turning left, walk straight ahead past Wat Chai Prakiat to the next crossroads and this Wat is on the right hand side of the road, opposite the main Police Station.

The front of the Temple faces a gateway onto Ratchadamnoen Soi 7.

At this point in time there appears to be a major push to renovate many of the Temples in Chiang Mai and maybe this one is on the list somewhere.

Right now the Temple grounds show signs of mild neglect, but I did spot paint and building materials that suggest that may soon change.

As with previous examples there is a beautiful Vihan next to the Temple and a large white Chedi behind it. The Chedi is topped in the Lan Na mosaic style.

To the rear of the walled compound is quite an impressive looking Monks residence.

This is another on on my list for more research and this page will be updated as soon as I get further information.

Family Visit to Chiang Mai, Preparing for The Sunday Market

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Oct 262008

So, after the first day recovering from the long haul travel to get here, Mum and Jamie got up early Friday to accompany me on the market run to Muang Mai Market.

My favourite part of everyday is the market visit; the myriad of colours and smells, fruit and vegetables that I’d never imagined before living here; and the people, so busy yet so relaxed, so busy yet so friendly, my sort of people.

As it was a walk around run that day, with quite a big list to shop for, we first acquired the services of one of the ‘barrow boys’, to go round with us.

Smiles as always, our 'barrow boy'

near the end of the run

Mums the word in Chiang Mai

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Oct 262008

Been a little busy over the last couple of days, what with the family arriving in Chiang mai last Wednesday, and then the rest of our rooms filling up too.

We closed for two days, Tuesday and Wednesday, partly to ensure the rooms we all sorted to their best and partly for me to have some proper rest to calm my nervous energies. Would my family like the cafe, would they be Ok with just the fan rooms? Would they like Chiang Mai?

On Wednesday Boon and I took time out, visting the 999 Thai cafe on the corner of Moon Muang Soi 9, for a late lunch before heading over for a little stroll and coffee in the Night Bazaar and then over to Boons workplace, Relax and Enjoy Massage, for a Thai Massage, before heading up to the airport to meet my family, due to arrive at 8.20pm from Bangkok.

Getting to the Airport at 8.10 we were met by the arrivals sign informing us that the plane was delayed until 9.05pm.

Finally, after more coffee, cigarettes, and trying to remember whether I’d opened the windows to air the rooms properly, we got first sight of my family coming through the baggage claims at around 9.30pm.

As expected everyone was well exhausted, poor little Jamie sleep walking his way through it all.

After warm welcomes, it was into the Airport Taxi, and off back to Ratchadamnoen Rd. If you don’t already know, the Airport Taxi rate is fixed at 120 baht to anywhere within the city limits. And although they did their best to get us to use two taxis , we eventually got a CRV for the same price.

Back here at the Brick Road Cafe, it was pretty much get the backs in, brief chat and everyone off to bed.

Keeping Busy in Chiang Mai

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Oct 212008

View from The Brick Road Cafe Guesthouse

Having been pretty full on with the Cafe/guesthouse for over a year now, it is now at the point where the need for me to be present all the time is much reduced. But if not the restaurant then what to keep me busy here in Chiang Mai.

Well, I tell everyone else to go see a Temple. So that’s just what I will be doing over the next few weeks.

Look out for The Brick Road Cafe Temple Tour pages, coming soon. In fact the first tour should be posted by the end of the day. Starting with Wat Chedi Luang, the ancient Temple, and Chedi, behind our guesthouse, I intend to visit every Temple within The Old City, Chiang Mai.

As and when I have visited a new Wat, I will post a photo tour of each one, so that those of you with limited time here may find it easier to find those that best suit your taste.

Best British Chips on The Sunday Market Chiang Mai

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Oct 192008

ahhh, Sunday again. Sundays are fantastic here in Ratchadamnoen Rd, Chiang Mai.

For around 8 hours the whole road changes and becomes Chiang Mai’s Sunday Market. The main walking street from Thapae Gate to Wat Phra singh, Ratchadamnoen and all its tributaries become one huge walking Market.

The roads are closed at around 4pm and the whole atmosphere changes as hundreds of stalls go up selling all manner of craft items; carvings, jewellry, paintings, clothes, key rings, ethnic musical instruments, the list is endless.

As well as all the handmade local Chiang Mai craft there are various forms of entertainment around and about.

The area close to The Three Kings Monument often has Traditional Dancing going on, and recently they started erecting a stage at the end of the road just past the front entrance to Wat Chedi Luang where you can see more Traditional Dancing and music.

Look out for the whitewashed Robot man and the lady puppeteer.

And, as of last Sunday , you can also find the best British style home cut Chips in Chiang Mai being sold at our Takeaway stall along the rear entrance to Wat Chedi Luang, next to our restaurant.

Pizza Progress

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Oct 072008

Back down to one room occupied, with Tony here for the month. Marc and Pip have gone to Pai but are likely to be back in a few days.

Things are changing in the street, with the next cafe down having been sold to new owners. We’ll miss Laurent and Pianan and hope they stay in touch. Business is a little livelier over the last couple of days. We have the return of our most regular customer, jonathan, back from his recent trip to Dubai. Good to see you back and i will sort out the organic cookie situation. Just gotta get over this cold I have.

Boon has set up shop in our back room and is presently testing his Pizzas, which we hope to have on sale in the cafe within a couple of weeks; and very good they are to.