Resort Hopping in Thailand via QR Business on A380 & Dreamliner
Jul 23, 2016, 4:55 am
#16
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Me enjoying Jack fruit, delicious, but a little stinky.
The flower market next to the river.
Little arty things all around the city...
Enjoying local music at a very trendy night spot in Nimmana Haeminda road
Thai boxing at the gym
The flower market next to the river.
Little arty things all around the city...
Enjoying local music at a very trendy night spot in Nimmana Haeminda road
Thai boxing at the gym
Last edited by CPT Skywalker; Jul 24, 2016 at 3:00 am
Jul 23, 2016, 6:00 am
#17
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On our last day we in Chiang Mai we took a drive up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, I large temple complex high up on the mountain just outside the city.
Once you make it up the winding road to the top, you still need to walk up a long serpentine staircase to get to the temple
But the walk was well worth it, and the view of the city from up there is amazing.
Another cool thing was to see this Jack fruit tree and how these massive fruit grows directly from the stem.
We spent a good hour or two there and on our way back we spotted the Chiang Mai Zoo. OUr taxi driver was kind enough to wait take us there and wait for an hour while we popped in to see the Panda bears and the tigers (and all the other animals en route).
We also heard about this amazing restaurant in the old city that specialises in Northern Thailand cuisine. The prices we ridiculously cheap, so we ordered a whole lot of little dishes to sample.
My new favourite is Khao Soi, a pork or chicken noodle dish in a yellow curry sauce. So good!
After supper we headed to the night market district one last time for a night cap at a local bar. Tomorrow we head to Four Seasons for some rest and relaxation!
Once you make it up the winding road to the top, you still need to walk up a long serpentine staircase to get to the temple
But the walk was well worth it, and the view of the city from up there is amazing.
Another cool thing was to see this Jack fruit tree and how these massive fruit grows directly from the stem.
We spent a good hour or two there and on our way back we spotted the Chiang Mai Zoo. OUr taxi driver was kind enough to wait take us there and wait for an hour while we popped in to see the Panda bears and the tigers (and all the other animals en route).
We also heard about this amazing restaurant in the old city that specialises in Northern Thailand cuisine. The prices we ridiculously cheap, so we ordered a whole lot of little dishes to sample.
My new favourite is Khao Soi, a pork or chicken noodle dish in a yellow curry sauce. So good!
After supper we headed to the night market district one last time for a night cap at a local bar. Tomorrow we head to Four Seasons for some rest and relaxation!
Last edited by CPT Skywalker; Jul 24, 2016 at 3:00 am
Jul 23, 2016, 6:10 am
#18
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Four Seasons.
All I can say is WOW! We've always wanted to stay at one, and I'm sure ALL of them are amazing, but Four Seasons Chiang Mai is really exceptional.
We left Dusit D2 quite early and thought we'll go through and "hang out" at the pool bar at Four Seasons till it was check-out time, but when we arrived they came to greet us at the car and knew exactly who we were.
Our room was ready and when they heard that our flight two days later was quite late, they arrange late check-out for 6pm right away.
The resort is expansive and very cleverly designed to make you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, even though you are really still on the outskirts of the city.
Here's a short video of what the grounds look like:
All I can say is WOW! We've always wanted to stay at one, and I'm sure ALL of them are amazing, but Four Seasons Chiang Mai is really exceptional.
We left Dusit D2 quite early and thought we'll go through and "hang out" at the pool bar at Four Seasons till it was check-out time, but when we arrived they came to greet us at the car and knew exactly who we were.
Our room was ready and when they heard that our flight two days later was quite late, they arrange late check-out for 6pm right away.
The resort is expansive and very cleverly designed to make you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, even though you are really still on the outskirts of the city.
Here's a short video of what the grounds look like:
Last edited by CPT Skywalker; Aug 2, 2016 at 2:45 pm
Jul 23, 2016, 6:30 am
#19
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Our room, well if you can call it that, was huge, with a lovely elevated gazebo from the patio doors overlooking the jungle-like gardens.
A rose apple, another exotic fruit native to Thailand.
Most of our time was spend at the adults only pool overlooking the rice paddies and sipping cocktails and being fed little snacks on the hour.
The interesting thing is that the rice paddies are part of a working farm, so there's always activity in your peripheral vision. Workers planting, water buffalos ploughing... and the harvest is donated to the local community.
The food here was incredible as well and we made friends with the sommelier who treated us to a private tasting of locally produced Thai wines! I know. But it wasn't half bad...
A rose apple, another exotic fruit native to Thailand.
Most of our time was spend at the adults only pool overlooking the rice paddies and sipping cocktails and being fed little snacks on the hour.
The interesting thing is that the rice paddies are part of a working farm, so there's always activity in your peripheral vision. Workers planting, water buffalos ploughing... and the harvest is donated to the local community.
The food here was incredible as well and we made friends with the sommelier who treated us to a private tasting of locally produced Thai wines! I know. But it wasn't half bad...
Jul 23, 2016, 6:54 am
#20
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On our last day, after our late check-out, we still had time to kill before catching our flight to Phuket. The concierge recommended a local restaurant called Anne's Farm serving Thai fusion for an early dinner.
Such a beautiful spot. The farm produces organic rice they use in their own restaurant. And the we was just perfect.
A new favourite dish! A "dry" duck red curry served with riceberry rice.
Pork with chilli and basil
And a corn salad made in the style of green papaya salad. Delicious! Definitely something I'll try and recreate here at home as we can't find any green papayas this side of the pond.
Our flight to Phuket was on Air Asia. We used it 4 years ago and was vey impressed with the product, but this time round not so much.
The flights were cheap, but we had to pay around 1000 TBH extra per bag to check in.
Now, if we had massive suitcases I could understand, but we travel only with hand luggage. We went around the world with hand luggage! And to check this in because they have ridiculous restrictions were just plain annoying.
Anyway, we got there. Late. And headed straight to bed.
Such a beautiful spot. The farm produces organic rice they use in their own restaurant. And the we was just perfect.
A new favourite dish! A "dry" duck red curry served with riceberry rice.
Pork with chilli and basil
And a corn salad made in the style of green papaya salad. Delicious! Definitely something I'll try and recreate here at home as we can't find any green papayas this side of the pond.
Our flight to Phuket was on Air Asia. We used it 4 years ago and was vey impressed with the product, but this time round not so much.
The flights were cheap, but we had to pay around 1000 TBH extra per bag to check in.
Now, if we had massive suitcases I could understand, but we travel only with hand luggage. We went around the world with hand luggage! And to check this in because they have ridiculous restrictions were just plain annoying.
Anyway, we got there. Late. And headed straight to bed.
Jul 23, 2016, 11:54 pm
#21
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Phx, AZ
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Wow awesome pics!! I love trip reports like yours that include airplanes' seats and tons of food pics. One thing I have to comment on, I think the fruit and tree that you took a picture of is actually jackfruit not durian, durian fruit is more spiky on the outside...and more stinky (like a lot) 
Jul 24, 2016, 2:59 am
#22
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Wow awesome pics!! I love trip reports like yours that include airplanes' seats and tons of food pics. One thing I have to comment on, I think the fruit and tree that you took a picture of is actually jackfruit not durian, durian fruit is more spiky on the outside...and more stinky (like a lot)
Jul 24, 2016, 10:00 am
#23
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
What is the name of the restaurant? I'll be there in two months and would like to try it.
Jul 25, 2016, 5:26 am
#24
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The name is Huen Phen. Ask the hotel to make a booking as it's quite popular. Lunch is in an air-conditioned hall in the front, but dinner is served in a profusely decorated old house in the back and is little short of magical.
Jul 27, 2016, 12:15 pm
#26
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
Thank you so much. I'll check it out in October!
Jul 30, 2016, 10:40 am
#27
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Location: South Africa
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The first couple of nights in Phuket were spent at the Le Meridien. It's location is quite unique as it is just south of Patong (literally 5-10min from the hustle and bustle) but situated on it's own beach.
Once you turn off the main road, you go along a winding driveway and end at a very large open lobby.
We stayed in one of the newly renovated Junior Suites facing the ocean.
We didn't spend too much time at the resort as the first part of our visit to Phuket were spent exploring. But we did take a stroll down the beach after breakfast every morning and it was lovely.
Patong beach had lots of little beach bars and restaurants, so spending a couple of hours people watching while sipping on a cocktail is highly recommended.
Of course no trip to Patong is complete without having a drink or two somewhere along Bangla Road
Once you turn off the main road, you go along a winding driveway and end at a very large open lobby.
We stayed in one of the newly renovated Junior Suites facing the ocean.
We didn't spend too much time at the resort as the first part of our visit to Phuket were spent exploring. But we did take a stroll down the beach after breakfast every morning and it was lovely.
Patong beach had lots of little beach bars and restaurants, so spending a couple of hours people watching while sipping on a cocktail is highly recommended.
Of course no trip to Patong is complete without having a drink or two somewhere along Bangla Road
Last edited by CPT Skywalker; Jul 31, 2016 at 1:52 am
Jul 30, 2016, 11:17 am
#28
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Our next stop was The Surin, situated on its own little beach just north of Surin beach.
This resort it a hidden gem! Really hidden! Our driver couldn't find it and if it wasnt for my phone's GPS we would probably still be looking. The driveway turn-off has a little sign the size of a dinner plate!
Again, a long, winding driveway takes you to reception, and from there we were taken along a series of elevated walkways to our room.
I do feel sorry for the hillside rooms, as they have quite a climb!
All rooms are built on stilts, perched up on the steep hill overlooking the ocean.
Luckily our room was situated only a couple of metres from the beach.
Later that evening we were invited for drinks and canapés at one of the restaurants, located on the beach. Their speciality is seafood, so we decided to stay for dinner.
Starter was a Phuket speciality, prawn in vermicelli style noodles - deep fried.
Followed by more seafood... and I think a duck curry?
The next couple of days were spent relaxing on the beach.
And what a beautiful beach it is!
The spa at The Surin is pretty good as well and there are a couple of nice little local restaurants within walking distance from the resort.
On Surin beach, there used to be a whole lot of restaurants and beach clubs, but the local government bulldozed the whole lot as they were illegal. Apparently this is happening around the country, but they'll be back I'm sure...
This resort it a hidden gem! Really hidden! Our driver couldn't find it and if it wasnt for my phone's GPS we would probably still be looking. The driveway turn-off has a little sign the size of a dinner plate!
Again, a long, winding driveway takes you to reception, and from there we were taken along a series of elevated walkways to our room.
I do feel sorry for the hillside rooms, as they have quite a climb!
All rooms are built on stilts, perched up on the steep hill overlooking the ocean.
Luckily our room was situated only a couple of metres from the beach.
Later that evening we were invited for drinks and canapés at one of the restaurants, located on the beach. Their speciality is seafood, so we decided to stay for dinner.
Starter was a Phuket speciality, prawn in vermicelli style noodles - deep fried.
Followed by more seafood... and I think a duck curry?
The next couple of days were spent relaxing on the beach.
And what a beautiful beach it is!
The spa at The Surin is pretty good as well and there are a couple of nice little local restaurants within walking distance from the resort.
On Surin beach, there used to be a whole lot of restaurants and beach clubs, but the local government bulldozed the whole lot as they were illegal. Apparently this is happening around the country, but they'll be back I'm sure...
Last edited by CPT Skywalker; Jul 31, 2016 at 3:01 am
Jul 30, 2016, 7:36 pm
#29
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Nice report - keep it coming ^
A couple of small points -
The Patong nightlife road you walked down for people watching (that you referred to as "Bangtao Road") is in fact Bangla Road (aka “the road to hell” as some of us refer to it
))
The little beach shacks/restaurants etc. that have bene cleared by the Government from public land are unlikely to return unless, say, the Government changes. Some have tried to return elsewhere on the island & been bulldozed again. (Quite right too, if they do not have the legal rights to be there)
Happy travels!
A couple of small points -
The Patong nightlife road you walked down for people watching (that you referred to as "Bangtao Road") is in fact Bangla Road (aka “the road to hell” as some of us refer to it
))The little beach shacks/restaurants etc. that have bene cleared by the Government from public land are unlikely to return unless, say, the Government changes. Some have tried to return elsewhere on the island & been bulldozed again. (Quite right too, if they do not have the legal rights to be there)
Happy travels!
Jul 30, 2016, 8:12 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: LAX
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Nice trip report. I just created one for our trip that ended last week. We decided on Koh Samui instead of Phuket because it was the rainy season in Phuket and the dry season in Koh Samui. The weather looked pretty good in your pics. Was it as nice as it appears?