jkfkr

Zoe in Yellow has a newish corner bar that serves food. Both the times I've been there, the hummus in particular has been excellent. The falafels were also good.

We visited "Why not" yesterday evening and, yes, it's worth the money.

These green lights at the garden places .... We found it disturbing.

Orange light strips over the buffet and green ones over the table meant that I could never make out what colour my food was, which I found disturbing.

Foodwise I didn't think it was anything special, but I will go back in a couple of weeks to give it another shot.

One more thing, the other route to Mae Sai (the mae rim way), is it as quick.. ? Are the roads in good condition and quite safe and are there plently of gas stations etc on the way just in case I get low on the old gas...?

Any info on this route would be great, Im just googling it now

The route is not as fast. It's a bit longer, a bit twistier, and it's got a bit more hills = a better motorcycling route. I didn't time it either way when I went, but I'd guesstimate that it adds an hour or so of riding time.

PS. Slightly off topic, the route I normally take is the 118 all the way there, someone mentioned to me a few months ago that there is another way, any ideas what this might be....?

Yes, there is another way, and it is a lot nicer. Just take the 107 towards Mae Rim and just keep going. In Fang the road changes number to 1089, but just keep going. Eventually you'll end up on highway one. Turn north and you'll be in Mae Sai soon.

The route is easy to see on Google Maps and easy to find with just these directions, but I still recommend the GT-Rider motorcycle map. The one for this bit is called "Golden Triangle - The Loop". Well worth its money.

There's really no reason to change both tires, btw. Rear tires wear out faster than front ones, so if the front is good, just keep it. Unless you have money to throw away or want to use a different brand for some reason.

You're probably right that a Honda Click wouldn't do as well in the mud going up mountains as a Honda Wave would. But the full automatics should drive better / more stable in town. (Not because they're full automatic per se but because they're much newer designs generally)

Yes. I have rented a Honda Scoopy-i for a couple of months now. Last winter I rode a Yamaha Fino for three months, and I have a Vespa GTS 250 at home, yet I'm really impressed with the ride of the Scoopy. Of course it's not as nice as the Vespa, but impressive nonetheless. It's nimble but stable. I've had it around the Samoeng loop several times, up Doi Suthep several times, and up Doi Inthanon once.

I can't comment on reliability, but from what I hear the problems with automatics are pretty much gone nowadays.

Go on test rides as much as possible and find one that you like to ride.

Be a farang ting tong and rent a scooter if you ride at all. The roads are really interesting, and not too hard technically. Much easier than, say, riding to Pai.

A friend of mine and I just did a round trip first to Mae Chaem, where we spent the night, via Hot, then the next day up on Doi Inthanon and then home. We did it on a Honda Scoopy and a Honda Click. Easy peasy and way fun.

Here's a map:

Guess I just don't have the come hither eyes of the OP. You did after all go out the back, and answered yes to the code word "shampoo". Your upset but your barber just thinks your a tease.

Just the day before yesterday I was having a haircut when my (male and gay) barber asked me "shampoo?". I gave it a second's thought, but decided against it. Guess I dodged a bullet there.

Thanks for both responses. I will report back on cost of unlocking.

If possible, can you give as much detail as possible about the phone (3, 3G, 4?), OS version and things like that.

I haven't looked into it now, but a while ago there wasn't an unlock available for the newest IOS.

Turns out several of my friends here in CM have never ridden the Samoeng Loop. I thought I'd better post a recommendation here too, so that more people might find this gem of a half-day trip (just under 100 km return from central Chiang Mai).

First I rode south on Canal Road for around 10 km from Huay Kaew Road. This is a dull bit until you come to the intersection where you turn right onto Road 1269.

The intersection:

After a couple of kilometers things start getting interesting as you start ascending into the mountains:

There are beautiful villages nested between the hills. I don't know if this is some sort of hippie retreat or what. Didn't look like a regular village to me:

Finding the petrol station in Samoeng was trickier than I thought. You'd think it would be located centrally, but you'd be very wrong. When you get to the big intersection, take a right and ride along for a couple of kilometers. Don't get worried even when it starts looking like the countryside, it's out there on your left.

To come back to Chiang Mai, you have to return the way you came for maybe 4-5 km, and then you continue upwards still on Road 1096 until you come to Mae Rim. There you just turn right and ride into CM again.

There are some stunning views along the way:

But unfortunately I didn't see any elephants:

All in all the trip took me 3,5 hours on my Scoopy, including looking for the petrol station for what felt like ages and the Kodak moments. If you don't stop, it can probably be done in 2,5 hours pretty easily on a scooter.

If you are in Chiang Mai, have a motorcycle, and have a couple of hours to spare, do this trip. I'd dare say that it's even better than the ride to Pai, which also is a marvellous trip.

Anyone else have any good recommendations for half day or full day motorcycle trips from Chiang Mai?

This is at P & S Mansion 2 on Huay Kaew. During daytime the DL speed has been around 6,5 M the few times I have tested it.

THAT is what I'm talking about!!!! That's as good as I had it back in the USA.

Is that for local speed or international?

That's the standard Speedtest.net test from the servers in Bangkok if I understand correctly. The international downloads I've done have also been really fast.

Unfortunately I can't tell you anything more about this than the house, as this is the connection that came with the condo.

True 6 / 1 at hillside condo 3, 599 baht/mth

This is at P & S Mansion 2 on Huay Kaew. During daytime the DL speed has been around 6,5 M the few times I have tested it.

My parents have stayed at Smiths Residence on 2 month visits for the last couple of years and really like it. Around 23k a month for 80sqm executive room.

Iain

Thanks, that actually looks like a good match. I'll have to give it a drive by and see if I can find a new favorite pub nearby.

I spent over two months at Smith Residence this spring. Not the cheapest place available, but worked for me. I had absolutely no problems with billings, getting deposits back, or anything like that.

I looked at the suites, but they weren't worth the extra money for me, so I went for the 30 sq.m. room with the bathtub and the microwave. If you get a room facing the front yard, you won't have morning sun waking you up, and you'll have a nice view of Doi Suthep (which I lost about halfway through my stay because of the burnings).

Chiang Mai Gate and the very nice nightly food market is just next door, and you can very easily walk to Thapae Gate, Loi Kroh road etc. Also there's Narong, the semi-resident tuk tuk driver, who hangs around (or at least used to) in front of the building quite a lot. He'll take you to faraway places such as The Red Lion or Pun Pun.

Here's a couple of pics:

My link

My link

My link

I guess this is a recommendation.

Christ, I guess I'll have to get flight tickets for next winter as well...

jani

I went to the usual suspects in Airport Plaza. Found one case that would have been perfect if my camera would have been a little bit smaller (or the bag a little bit bigger), found nothing at the shop recommended by a certain riverside restaurateur, who shall remain nameless (because Gonzo is humble like that), and found nothing in the couple of camera shops I went to in Panthip.

The guy in the last shop I went to was clever and said: "we have a waterproof camera". So now I have a pink, waterproof and plasticcy Fuji. I figured a decent case will cost me 1000-2000 and this was 3990.

Here's my first test pic of the camera salesdude:

http://janikyllonen.com/index.php?showimage=456

Has anyone seen any kind of generic waterproof camera cases for sale somewhere?

Something like this would be ideal:

http://www.aquapac.net/usstore/camera-case...420-1632-0.html

Surely I can't be the only one who would like one during the songkran festivities.

I thought I'd go to Airport Plaza to check out the stores there, but then someone might have precise info here.

Thanks in advance.

I'd like to nominate the Loi Kroh rd bar owners: Myself (Olde Bell) , fat, but a bit of life in the old dog yet, Chris,(Marijuana Bar) 50% tonto, but can still play a straight bat, Lob (Wild boar) on the tubby side, pony tailed, but, I gather, a fine lover if called upon, Jules (The What), balding, but still able to keep the lovely Denise going! Freddie (Nr 1 bar) another virile baldie.

I've been in CM for six weeks, and I've only visited 40 % of your nominated places. I have to go an a Loi Kroh -excursion next week when I get home from Pai.

What I did (when I was back in Finland) was to do search on eBay with the exact model name of the headphones (in this case the lightweight Sennheiser PX100). I think I got them from Hong Kong. Cost was next to nothing including postage, at least compared to new ones or going to a real store in Finland.

Ten past seven here on Loi Kroh Road and its been drizzling steadily for nearly an hour. Ahhh! That lovely smell of rain after a long dry period. Who knows, tomorrow we may be able to see that mountain that allegedly lurks to the west of the city!!

That was the first thing I checked when I woke up, but nope - can't see it from just south of Chiang Mai Gate.

That's what I thought at first, but it felt unbelievable. What are they paying extra for? Protection from the 35 kg ladies shouting "Masaaas?" Or possibly the dangerous frogsaleswomen.

Several times now I've seen a convoy of 10-12 or so tuktuks escorted by 5-6 police motorcycles.

The first two times I saw them coming out from the yard of Wat Chedi Luang, and yesterday there was a convoy driving south on the east side of the moat.

Anyone know what this is about?

Me three!

I just came to Chiang Mai two weeks ago, and I have already been to the Red Lion several times. I find it fantastic! I can't even find the words to describe how enthusiastic I am about the bar (probably because English is not my first language), but I get giddy and excited just thinking about it!

The staff has been friendly and attentive, the food I had the other day was very good, and the five Bombay gin and tonics I had for an aperitif were even better.

It's BRILLIIAAAANT!!!

But I would say that, because I'm Kevin's bestest mate in the whole world, and I drink for free there.

jani

(No, not really)

How much for a stubbie of Chang?

I assume a "stubbie" is a small bottle. I have no idea what that costs. The Bombay tonics were 100 b each IIRC.

Worth every satang. Just look at it:

Me three!

I just came to Chiang Mai two weeks ago, and I have already been to the Red Lion several times. I find it fantastic! I can't even find the words to describe how enthusiastic I am about the bar (probably because English is not my first language), but I get giddy and excited just thinking about it!

The staff has been friendly and attentive, the food I had the other day was very good, and the five Bombay gin and tonics I had for an aperitif were even better.

It's BRILLIIAAAANT!!!

But I would say that, because I'm Kevin's bestest mate in the whole world, and I drink for free there.

jani

(No, not really)

I stayed at 3 Sis Bed and Breakfast for four nights when I came here, and I really liked it.

The room was pretty basic clean and nice, with a hot shower and the usual stuff. There is a big and peaceful hanging around -area in the lobby, and a restaurant.

I had a double room, which cost 1 200 a night. I think a single was 1 000.

It's on Phrapokklao Road, on the corner of Soi 8, which is basically in the Sunday Market.

Well worth checking out, methinks.

http://www.3sisbedandbreakfast.com/bnb/home.html

Add me to the list of fans. I went there for a Superman Breakfast on Sunday, and it was really good.

I can also echo the bits about John being welcoming, nice and funny. Not to mention Pranee (which a bit surprisingly seems to rhyme with my name, Jani), who was also very nice and helpful.

Will go back for more, even if it's not in my neighborhood.

Me too!

I bought a prepaid sim yesterday, and before midnight it was empty. I sent maybe five texts, and the rest was presumably data minutes. Oh well, off to the AIS store to get an unlimited card.

Would you still recommend View Doi after a few weeks?

Yeah, it's definitely a nice place to stay. The managers speak decent English, which is necessary considering it's probably 75% farang here.

Internet connection is the only issue so far. Only LAN is provided free, no wireless. It's not horrible, but it's not good either. Don't know yet whether it's possible to get a DSL line here but I need to look into it.

Fortunately there is a great cafe directly across the street with free wireless, really cheap and tasty food, as well as good coffee.

I wouldn't book in advance. Just stay in a cheap place for 1-2 nights and check out the list of places you're considering. If you're not familiar with the different areas you'll probably want to get a feel for what's around too.

Thanks for the info.

The internet thing is a bummer. I don't need wireless (or I could take my own router), but I need a somewhat reliable connection, as I have to download big video files every now and then (legal, non-pirated stuff, mind you). It doesn't have to be fast, but if it cuts out often, it gets annoying.

I'll probably stick to my original plan then. A couple of nights at the Montri or something and then some scouting around.