nice trip pete, which hotels are you staying in ?

Hi shirleyV,

3 nights in Shangri La (including Anniversary) and then to the Amari Rincome, Chiang Mai. Quite fancied the Chedi, but couldn't justify £160+ per room per night in Thailand.

Hope that you enjoyed the Anantara (I think that was where you were going). Janet and I love it there - one of our favourite places.

We really didn't want a long trip for a short break over our anniversary and were going to settle on Goa - but the potential hassle over visas is something we don't need and we will have a limited time to apply.

As we wanted a visa that would last thru Feb / Mar 2008 (Kerala) we didn't want to apply too early. Now we may even rethink that trip..................

Northern Thailand...my favourite part of the country. Stayed in the Rincome over ten years ago.

I also stayed at the Amari Rincome over 10years ago (Jan 1997) if I remember correctly it was a few Km's out of town but there was a hotel shuttle bus that took us into the centre of Chang Mai . The Rincome was a good medium standard hotel.
Don't miss the night market.
I really enjoyed the lovely countryside and the more laid back atmosphere and cooler air of Northern Thailand after the chaos of Bangkok.

Actually we were disappointed with the Rincome and moved out after a night there. It was a pretty tired hotel at the time, but as I say it was over ten years ago things may have changed. Nice gardens and staff though.

Really can't remember much as you say it was over ten years ago and this was my worst ever trip to Thailand I caught a cold in Bangkok, then got laryngitis, I lost my voice and felt really ill the whole trip, all I wanted to do was sleep but had my 16year old niece with me so I had to drag myself out everyday to see the sights and go out for meals that I couldn't eat, so as not to spoil her holiday, nevertheless it hasn't put me of Thailand and have returned quite few times since though haven't returned to Chang Mai but will either stay in town or way out in the countryside next time.

peteB - the Anantara is as beautiful as ever and we got a free upgrade to a lagoon room

Hi Pete you will have to give me a report on the Shangri La as were staying there in December

Will post a review of the hotel (got to keep on the right side of Fiona after all)

Peter

Ok folks - we are back from our Bali trip and now looking for inspiration and ideas for Chiang Mai in November.

Are there any 'unmissable' things or fantastic restaurants?

All ideas appreciated (so long as they do not demand expending a lot of energy - we are lookin for a relaxing time!)

Cheers

Peter

Chaing-Mai is has lots of temples worth a visit. Wat Doi Suthep is the one most people do and its well worth a visit. There's another one with huge elephants coming out of the central stupa the name of which eludes me. Then of course there is the elephant treks and visits to hill tribe villages if thats your thing. Try getting out into to the countryside which is quite beautiful. Best meal I ever had in Thailand was up north, however as it was at a roadside stall in the middle of nowhere I'm afraid I can't tell you where it is. A trip on the river can be quite relaxing.

We did a trip round the Doi Inthanon National Park which was quite pleasant although there were no must see attractions on it, just the countryside.

In the evening there is of course the night market which is a biggy.

Thanks Sunbear,

Wat Doi Suthep is almost a certainty. Unfortunately I think we are about elephanted out. Sri Lanka spoiled us for elephants some years ago, but the Mae Sa area looks good.

The Hill Tribes thing seems a bit too commercialised. We are more into scenery these days.

River trip sounds like a good idea - do they do dining cruises similar to the Manohra in Bangkok?

Do you know anything about Lamphun? I understand that it is an ancient city, but no one really seems to comment on what there is to see?

Unfortunately I haven't been able to come up with much of a plan so far - but I'm working on it

Peter

Not aware of any evening dinner cruises, don't think the river was up to it - we travelled on a long tail.

Never been to Lamphun so can't help you there.

The hill tribes can be a bit over commercialised but they are usually fitted in as part of a tour you might do. In the past we've had a driver to ourselves and gone where we've fancied. The countryside is quite pleasant to tour around...not unlike Bali with rice field terracing and great swathes of forest. Its certainly nice to get out of Chaing-Mai which is like a mini Bangkok. These days we stay out in the country rather than stay in the city.