At about 3pm plus, we decided to take a break and have our first lunch in Chiang Mai. On our way to the next wat, we stopped by this eatery, not really knowing what they have in their menu, but no harm trying.

We also tried the Thai desserts, they are famous for their Red ruby dessert. 15 baht each

Greenish one was Za Lim, Sweet mung bean vermicelli served with coconut and pandanus odorous syrup and shaved ice.

Redish one was Tub Tim Krop, sweet water chestnut in coconut milk and shaved ice

After the refill, we continued our walk in the old city, we went to Wat Phra Singh, this buddha statue was huge...

We got lost during our walk to another temple because we went to the wrong street, so we had stopped a few locals to help us with directions, they were really helpful even without common language.

I find it polite to know a little more about the country that I am visiting, so I looked up to how to greet and thank people in their language and custom. So a nice Sawadeeka with a wai and Khor Khun Ka (Thank you)

Simple directions could be useful too, left (sai), right (kwar) and numbers too. I learnt all the stuff from learningthai.com, It's very useful since there's audio sound to demostrate how you pronounce the words.

Wat Phra Singh

The last stop of our 5 hours on foot trip was Wat Chiang Man, it was getting late and we were really tired after all the walking under the hot sun, we decided to get a Song Thaew to bring us back to our hotel.

Song Thaews are pickup converted public transport in Chiang Mai, there are a few other colors but the red ones are most seen in the city and they travel within the city at a standard price of about 15baht each. But if you have a big group, the price can get a little lower.

What I meant by public transport is that anyone can share it as long as it's going the same direction.

What I gathered from readings and the locals that tipped us, generally if you have going within the city, it's standard 15baht, but if you are not unsure and you asked them about the price, they will quote you slightly higher like 20baht per person. So just be firm with 15 baht or bargain if you are in a big group like 8 or 10.

After washing up at the hotel, we gathered at the hotel lobby at 7pm to meet with our tour guide Miss Pom, she brought us to the Khantoke Dinner at the old chiang mai cultural center. This trip was within the tour package.

The Old Chiangmai Cultural Center
Location: 185/3 Wualai Road, Chiangmai 50100
North of Airport Plaza. or the beginning of Chiangmai-Hang Dong Road.
Tel: (66 53) 275 097, 274 540, 202 993-5 Fax: (66 53) 274 094
Business Hours : 07:00 pm - 09:30 pm DAILY.

Extracted from here:

Cultural Shows :
Every night there are Khantoke Dinner Shows which is popular with Thai and overseas visitor alike. The meal is served on a wooden pedestral tray call " Khantoke ", and the dishes are all authentic northern Thai delicacies such as Gaeng Hang Lay , a gingery pork curry; the chili-tomato-minced pork dip called Naam Prik Ong , and the crunchy pieces of pork scratching or Kaeb Moo , for dipping into the rich gravy.

While guests enjoy the meal, there are performances of dance and music. Dances by ethnic hill tribe group such as Karen, Hmong, Lahu, Akha, Mien and Lisu each in their own distinct dress and traditions and wear their own unique silver ornaments. Some Places have cultural performance from 4 different regions of Thailand. The distinct identities of tradition and the hill tribe groups is the entertainment theme during the Khantoke Dinner. Among some of the center that hosts these Khantoke show are as followed

 

Of cos, we didn't want to miss the chance of roaming through the long stretch of night market. It is really a long stretch but the stalls were mostly repeatative with occasionally something different and prices varies a little from each stall, so if you are getting something, be sure to check out prices first before settling on anything.

Miss Pom did warned us that nothing is REAL at the night market, even the people that set up stalls there weren't locals of Chiang Mai, they are mostly from other parts of Thailand.

After all the walking, we settled at The Night Bazzar at the Peak and found Kwanjira Massage & Therapy which I read online that they include foot soak in the foot masage. it's only 60baht for 30mins foot massage.

This was really our first time doing foot massage and to be honest, Jason and I don't find it anything special or relaxing during or after the massage, so I have no idea if it's the staff or that's just how foot massage is. lol...

But it's really cheap and the staff are friendly, this is where they told us how much it is to travel around the city in song thaews and not get chopped like a carrot by them :P

So we took the advice. ^_~ 15baht per person back to our hotel! it was already 1am in the morning...

*yawn*