Room Available | Travel and Life in Thailand

Back live at last!!!

Oct 142008

Its been a long time coming but at long last we’ve over come the hurdles that were preventing us updating the site. Not only that but due to assistance from our good friend Ally the whole site is much improved and easier to use.

This gives me,(john), new enthusiasm to create a “one stop information post” for all those thinking of visiting Chiang Mai, so keep looking in as the new look site grows.

We decided to reconstruct live so some previous postings have yet to re appear.

For those of you that have already visited our humble abode and have been hoping to spot yourself on our facebook, it will be back up and up-to-date very soon.

Upcoming events;…..bit short notice but tomorrow is Pa Ya Nak festival time in Nong Khai, where you can witness the Dancing Fireballs that spring from the Mekon River defying explanation. Having witnessed the phenomena two years ago I highly recommend this event for a visit if possible.

Otherwise, start preparing for Loi Kratong, this year around 8,9,10 of November. I will get an exact dating on that over the next couple of days. for details of the event check our Loi Kratong feature

Another more immediate event, is Aok Punsaa. This markes the end of the rainy season when Buddhist Monks are once again allowed to roam freely from their Temples, their movements having been restricted for the last three months due to ancient law made to protect the rice fields.

If you are up early enough you will see many locals on the streets giving to Monks on their Alms rounds.

This Blog will now be updated daily, with any useful information that comes to hand and very likely useless trivia too boot.

My big message at the moment is, that despite apparent political turmoil, and threats of War over border disputes with Cambodia, Life goes on as normal here in Chiang Mai, so don’t let the news put you off coming.

Loi Kratong Festival

Events 1 Response »

Oct 102008

Loi Kratong…an age old Thai festival,where the Thai people pay respects to the spirits of the water at the end of the rainy season and place beautiful decorative floating ‘baskets’, adorned most often with intricate flower designs, incense sticks and a candle, onto the nearest waterway in a symbolic gesture to float away that years sins, and send up paper lanterns into the night sky for good luck.

Well that’s the gist of the original festival. These days in Chiang Mai , as with many of the festivals, it appears to be an opportunity to throw off the usual Thai reserve and go crazy for an evening.

After all, Loi Kratong translates into “Make your own mind up”.

Maybe that’s a little unfair. Many , many Thais do their best to perform the ceremony in a quiet respectful manner. And the parade clearly involves a lot of hard work and dedication and is quite wonderful.

To see the night sky fill with a new set of stars for the evening, as thousands of lanterns are sent up is also a wonder to behold.

But for me the noise of thousands more fireworks going off and often being thrown carelessly around in the midst of thronging crowds somehow brings quite a downer onto what should be a very spiritual event.

Enough of the stick in the madness. If you can handle dodging firecrackers , often thrown in the direction of ‘farang’ by Thai youths testing your reaction, and don’t mind giving your ear drums a battering for the evening, it is one of those ‘must do events’ and great party atmosphere.

You can view more photographs like these in our Photobucket.com albums

Song Kran 2007

Events No Responses »

Oct 042008

It is said that many farang give Thailand a miss in April because of the extreme summer temperatures, and as my first April here began, I could understand why. But just as it was becoming unbearable, along came Song Kran.

It means ‘ to pass’ or ‘move forward’ and is the celebration of the Thai New Year.

Traditionally it is a time where Thai people would put on their best clothes and in a very polite and respectful way, splash water onto the faces of friends and relatives.

Come to Chiang Mai and you will witness the fact that it has ‘progressed’ into a free for all mass water fight that goes on for 3 days officially.

I have to confess to being in two minds over this festival as it is now. Being a bit of a traditionalist, a big part of me would like to witness a more authentic and reverent version of this celebration.

But, as there is clearly little hope of that in Chiang Mai, I for one allowed the child in me to come out, and got stuck in, spending 3 days at moat side, throwing buckets of water at the passing traffic, and 1 day driving round with my motorcycle and sidecart on the receiving end of the roadside throwers and returning fire from the bucket in my sidecart.

It certainly isn’t for the faint hearted, as water flies in all directions, from buckets, water pistols,(many very big pump actioned long distance squirters), and the occasional hose pipe.

And look out for the guys with blocks of ice in their buckets!

if you are in the area you are fair game.

do look out for the occasional flying ice-cube…i got one on the head and they bloody hurt!

there were rumours of acid water being used by some idiots and I did feel the occasional light burning sensation.

be on the look out for alcohol fueled hotspots. we were lucky enough to miss it but the news did show quite a violent fracas between two groups of stick weilding Thais.

About the rooms

Accommodation No Responses »

Oct 042008

Here you will find a friendly welcome; clean spacious top floor rooms; with some great views in the centre of town; and of course, excellent food in the cafe downstairs.

All our rooms are fan and shared facilities at the moment. There are two shower rooms, both with heated showers.

Coffee and tea making facilities are on the landing outside the rooms, for early risers or non-sleepers.
We also have a comfortable T.V lounge on the level above the cafe for chilling out, chatting with fellow guests or maybe watching a DVD. There are also many reading books available for guests use.

Our rooms are very spacious, with cupboards for keeping your belongings tidy, and tables and chairs for writing letters home , etc. Three of the rooms, the twin and two doubles have balconies from which you have views of Doi Suthep and the main Sunday Market Walking Street below.

Our side room has a panoramic view of Doi Suthep and the rear room boasts a spectacular view of the Chedi in Wat Chedi Luang Temple complex behind us.

Prices start at 150 baht a night for our single room;

200 baht for a Double or Twin;

and 250 for our Double Double.

We will also consider discount deals for long stay.

please contact us through the link below or by phone….****053 272012

(full room details) (Chiang Mai Reflexology Centre)

Mae Hong Son – 6 Day Trip

Places to go No Responses »

Oct 042008

A 6 day trip by JRD 150cc Chopper , doing the Mae Hong Song loop through some of the most picturesque mountain lands you could ask for.

The total cost of the trip, including all fuel, accommodation and peripheral spending, was 7,720 baht.

If you were renting the a bike that would likely be another 500 baht a day.

I would also suggest that, if using a chopper with two people on board, you consider renting a 200 or 250cc for the extra power on the steepest roads.

A good alternative would be to rent a couple of 150 or 200 cc motorcycles.

Its a hard ride at times and further suggestions are to ensure that you use sunblock and do have something on your head, there is little shade from the relentless sun up there and it is easy to be complacent because of the cooling effect of breezing along on a bike.

You’ll be spoiled for choice of things to do and see on the way and I know its a trip i’m going to have to do several times to catch the things I missed previously.

Chiang Mai Art and Culture Festival

Blog Diary No Responses »

Mar 222008

Got back from the daily market run to find 2 full tables, nice start to the day

Also noticed that this years International Art and Culture Festival (Chiangmai), appears to be starting on 1st April, running to the ninth, at The Three Kings Monument square just round the corner from us.

I should imagine that it will be a good show and there will be some interesting stuff inside the Chiang Mai Art and Culture Centre (museum) behind the monument.

You can find links to more information here …