Northern Eco & Adventure Travel Mart 2009, Chiang Mai

I was pretty surprised when being offered to attend this event. Usually our company will only send PD's staff to this kind of event. But then, CEO called my Manager and asked him to appoint either me or the AM to attend it. Since my AM, Elene is pregnant, I thought that it'd be the best if she attend it because for sure she won't be able to join any once the tummy is obvious, kan? Tp, judging from her previous pregnancy's history (after 3rd months, nauseas die sgt teruk smpi leh mc 2 bulan), we'd decided that it'll be best if I go. Lagipown, chance macam nih bile je lagi leh smpi kan kalo dok dlm Operation Unit nih~ In less than a week to travel baru we all dpt the itinerary which involved "soft" trekking and 4x4. Mujur ah kitorg x hntr Elene.. Kang x pasal je beranak kat situ gak.. Hehehe..

Basically the event is organized by Tourism Authority of Thailand (as per my previous entry). And we're merely reps from Malaysia. The invitation went to 4 travel agents: Sri Sutra Travel (me), Enesty Travel (Kak Lily), Multilift Travel (Kak Fita) and TM Tours (Kak Ita). They also invite 2 reps from the media: Siti (Wanita) and Azli (Libur).

The flight was scheduled to depart at 0720hrs and so I arrived at about 0600hrs. Alya slept all the way from home until we reached Airport. Thanks to my injured hubby, he had to send me and mom (who had to go for meeting in Penang on the same morning) to different airport. Mine is at LCCT because Air Asia is the only carrier who fly direct into Chiang Mai. Met with the rest of the group before we're on board.

-Please be reminded that writer won't be responsible for any effect from readers while reading this entry-
* kena warn awal sbb ada gmbr yg mungkin mengganggu sensitiviti org lain

We arrived Chiang Mai without any hiccups and delay (Air Asia has certainly improve). Since there were no other arrivals, immigration also went pretty fast, but my bag was ruined! Hangin tol rasanye sbb bag tuh dh lama berjasa and had never rosak sket pown.

Then, we met up with our guide, Khun Billy and straight away go to our first scheduled place to visit, Wat Phratap Doi Suthep. Before that, we made a quick snack stop at Dunkin Donuts. After get ourselves each a bite (sangat laa~), the crooked journey began. Kalah jalan gi Cameron rasanye... When we're asked whether we want to climb the 306 steps or we prefer cable car, of course undoubtedly our answer was "Cable car, please" Hehe.. the cable car cost at only THB30 (RM 3) and it was just like a 5 minutes ride in lift with no view at all. Tang mana cable car nye pown I x taw.

Group photo at the entrance

Feast for the temple guardian. Lagi ngeri kalo tgk live, hokay?

Memorial for those ashes yg ada kat sini. (Don't ask me where the ash actually be)

It is said that after make a wish, knock 3 times and your wish will come true.

Big bell sponsored by Malaysian.

One of the many temple there.
Love the architecture and the wood carving. So detailed~

Azli kunun making a wish.
This bell has all Chinese zodiac on it (Monkey, dragon, chicken etc) and once you'd wished, knock 3 times on your zodiac.

We went down through the stairs instead of the cable car and mind you 306 steps are challenging enough if you're not fit. Menggeletar gak ah kaki nih bile dah reach the ground.. Camno nak adventure lepas nih kalo baru turun stairs pown dah lemah habis lutut nih?

Mongolian gurl

Fuh! Mujur x naik pakai tangga...

At the foot steps, there are stalls of local cuisines (snacks), fruits and not to forget souvenirs. Had a bite of strawberry with sprinkle of sugar yg ada sket rasa pedas. Nak beli souvenirs rasa cam awal sangat jer.. Due to time straining, instead of visit Bhubing Palace, we headed down to the city for lunch. The lunch was served at Halal restaurant of Al-Farooq Hotel. Not that far from our hotel at about 10 mins drive only. Got to know that as we had to pass our hotel to reach to Al-Farooq, tp x check in pown lagi.

Mixed Tom Yam (kaw), mixed vege, minced chicken with basil, fried fish with garlic

The lunch was superb... Enough said!

After the satisfying lunch, the compulsory shopping stop began.  Our first stop was at the silverware factory.  They showed a demonstration on how to differentiate between real silver and the false one though we hardly practice that~  Next, the Silk Factory.

     

     

How does a silk thread is made..

Setelah menghabiskan masa mencuci mata, off we go to another stop, the making of paper umbrella.  Hah! This is worth it.  We've got to see the job done from scratch and mind you, it is a very delicate process.

     

Bought myself a couple of paper and silk umbrella before our last shopping stop at the Handicraft Centre.  The souvenirs are pretty cheap as most of it are handmade but none caught my attention.  Love some wind-chimes but nah, there's no connection~

One of the many lanes of handicrafts.

Then only we checked in our hotel, Empress Hotel Chiang Mai.  We were welcomed by flower garland and greeted by the Front Office Manager himself.. Bila agent dtg, they have to look impressive so we could sell their hotel more..  After got ourselves each room, settled down before dinner at the hotel.  Unfortunately, the hotel do serves pork which limit our choice of food.  But thanks to the lunch, we barely feel hungry.

Chiang Mai is famous for its night bazaar and it just so happen that our hotel is just situated about 5 mins walking distance to the first night bazaar.  The night bazaars are open every night and it continuous from one to another.  Honestly, even me hadn't reached the end of the night bazaar.  It is said that the highlight of night bazaar is at every Sunday night which they usually reduce the price up till 30% compare to other nights.  But then still I rasa the price are pretty negotiable and acceptable.

     

Got myself keychains as souvenirs, me and Azli continued to explore the night bazaar while others got themselves a foot massage near to our hotel.  On the way back from the bazaar, we'd stop to visit them and that's where I got to go online the other night.

Now you know how tiring a FAM trip could be kan?  Mmg ah besh sbb everything is fully sponsored but you hardly has any time to chill up.  Anyway, we were there to get to know Chiang Mai and yeah we certainly did.. though not all..

More stories coming up next, so stay tune!  As of now, I'm off to zzzzzzzzz....