One weekend, I was feeling particularly tired & lazy (that time of month…) but didn’t want to waste it sitting at home.. I hit upon a brilliant idea.. Chiangmai is by the river, so why don’t we go on a river cruise?!! I immediately started researching but didn’t find anything concrete. In times of need, I turn to chatgpt, who replied that there were plenty of river tours near Khua lek (iron bridge). I imagined it would be like Sai Kung pier… I was soo wrong!!... When we arrived, there was nothing… In panic, I searched again and found out there was one company, Mae Ping river cruise nearby (near in the sense that it’s a few minutes away by car)… after following the sign, we still couldn’t find it! Finally, I spotted a floating river café and decided to investigate… Apparently it double-functioned as the company! The kids were so excited… We also stopped at a “farm” (although the only things that were farmed were herbs) for refreshments.. they were even more excited on discovering the free ice-cream (which tasted quite good)………
Another attraction that was a hit with the kids was Siam Insect Zoo… They got to see big tortoises up close, hold stick insects and there is a video of Maria trying to transfer a tarantula to X (not recommended!)
The week before, we went to an Orchid farm.. Chiang mai being a fertile place (particularly the area where we stayed, Mae Rim), there was another one nearby!.. Orchid Pavilion… I think I prefer this one, as there's more landscaping.
One day we took a stroll through the jungle forest treetops, on a canopy walkway… It was a bit of a walk, but just right for a 2- & 5-year-old, who ran along the bridge, much to the adults’ horror as the metal grill vibrated under their pounding footsteps! It was the furthest we’d been, and the Grab driver asked us if we wanted to pay double for him to wait for us. We stupidly said no and were left somewhat stranded at closing time. The attendant took pity on us and gave us a ride at the back of his pickup truck. So, we rode like goods in the open-air. R was absolutely over the moon! We were dropped off at the crossroads, where there were plenty of Grabs… We decided to go to the nearest hotel, which turned out to be Moroccan style- The Grand Morocc Hotel. All these hidden gems! Sadly, their restaurant was closed.
