Skyscrapers, Souks and Sand: Day 1- The Resort and Chiang Mai

We had quite a few choices to pick from when we booked with Etihad and the Mandarin Oriental was my first choice but also QUITE expensive so we went with the Khum Phaya Resort and Spa instead because it was built and decorated in traditional lanna style. Who the heck wants to stay in a western style holiday inn when they're in Thailand?!

Khum Phaya Resort gets great reviews on trip advisor and I agree, there were incredibly minor things that I could complain about but since they didn't really bother us all that much then I won't! I liked that it had a massive pool in the middle of the resort with enough features in it that it kept our four year old daughter busy whenever we were there. The pool was chilly but I think that's because I've become a wimp from swimming in the Abu Dhabi pools! Our room was great, spacious and clean and had a balcony. We had a safe, a jet tub, a minibar, a tv(which I don't think got turned on once!) and a couch. Seriously the best part of the room was the shower!!! Six side nozzles to spray you plus a big overhead rain shower, it was heavenly. The bed was comfortable and there were large mosquito nets to go around each side of it. We used them to cover the cot our daughter slept in since for some reason the mosquitos go directly for her.

Overall, no complaints.

Breakfast was the same every morning but you had the choice between healthy and unhealthy, western and asian so you could change it up a bit. The food was good and the girls serving were lovely.

The spring rolls and pad thai are very tasty from the lunch/dinner menu and so is the spaghetti in all of its forms!

There is wifi in the rooms free of charge, and computers with a printer at the front desk if you need them.

There are shuttles going into Chiang Mai every night either to the night bazaar during the week or the sunday walking street on sunday evenings, these shuttles are free but you have to book onto one.

The resort itself is beautiful, exactly what I expected and we had a few relaxing days at the pool.

The spa was gorgeous and I had the Wannalee package which made me feel like royalty and my treatment was beyond amazing. I would highly recommend it. It starts with the asian foot cleansing ritual and then I had a body scrub which was unusual, and then I was slathered in something that smelled great and wrapped up like a burrito to bake for 20 minutes!!! Then after showering all the gunk off I had a thai massage and then a facial. AWESOME.

The fancy mosquito netting! Chiang Mai is NOT a malaria zone but it doesn't hurt to be careful

Best Shower in the World!!! Feels like you're showing under a waterfall

Nice little touches in the room

The amazing pool

Detailing on the door to our room

Weird hey!? Try them they're awesome

Checking out the newly hung lanterns for Loi Krathong

Ganesh

Front entrance of the hotel at night

The first day we were in Chiang Mai we went in by taxi and came back by tuk-tuk. From the hotel to Tae-Pae Gate it took about 15 minutes and it cost 200 baht, which is about $6.50 Canadian!!! Crazy cheap.

Heading into Chiang Mai in a taxi, which is really just a kitted out truck bed. Brilliant idea actually, someone needs to do this in Red Deer to get everyone home from the bars!!!!

A Tuk-Tuk-quite fun :)

They can fit an alarming number of people on their scooters!

And the whole family rides on the scooter

Artistic view from our tuk-tuk

We wandered around Chiang Mai and checked out the Sareerikkatartsirirak Pagoda and Wat Panteo, as well as the Three Kings Monument and other small temples along the way. Chiang Mai is crazy compared to Canada, but apparently is rather chill and relaxed compared to Bangkok and the south!!!

Buddha at Sareerikkatartsirirak Pagoda at Wat Phan On

Sareerikkatartsirirak Pagoda

I was dying to smack the gong but restrained myself

Monks chanting

These were the trees all around the temples. Offerings I think

The bells. We didn't ring them just in case!

Three Kings Monument
This monument commemorates the alliance forged between the three northern Thai-Lao kings (Phaya Ngam Meuang of Phayao, Phaya Mengrai of Chiang Mai and Phaya Khun Ramkhamhaeng of Sukhothai) in the founding of Chiang Mai.It has become like a shrine to local buddhists and offerings are left at it frequently

Buddhist Monk or Novice spreading sand. Apparently it is desirable for Thai men to go into the monastery for days/weeks/months/years as long as it is a multiple of 3!! They are then considered "ripe" for marriage when they get out.