Chiang Mai on a Budget
Feb 26, 2020, 7:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,505
Chiang Mai on a Budget
FD 753 Macau - Chiang Mai
I've been lucky to find a lot of good deals out of Macau for long weekends in 2019. My 2nd trip out of here in 2019 would be to Chiang Mai on AirAsia. Rather than taking the bridge from Hong Kong, which was almost 3 hours door-to-door, I found a cheap deal on the ferry's premium class and decided to sail to Macau in luxury instead. From the Taipa ferry terminal, casino shuttles would make the short trip to the airport.
The upper deck of the ferry was quite empty and we were even served a drink and snacks on an airplane-style tray for the hour-long ride as I watched the sun set over the South China Sea.
Macau's airport has a decent selection of restaurants but I would recommend eating elsewhere. Plenty of casino shuttles make it to here and each casino seems to have an endless assortment of restaurants.
You can see many casinos within reach from the terminal building.
Somewhat regretting my expensive dinner in the terminal, I was surprised to find the in-flight catering to be very affordable on AirAsia.
120 baht is not even USD $4. I scanned through the menu and many hot options were attractive. As I doubted they would carry everything onboard from the inbound flight, I would suggest pre-booking online to avoid disappointment.
Northern Thailand is a world away from the bustle of Bangkok or the crowded beaches of Phuket. You come here to enjoy the temples, cooler weather, and mountains. Map out your walking tour and most temples are within a short walk of each other. However, do make use of the Grab cars when the weather gets too hot and you need an air-conditioning break.
Wat Chiang Man is the city's oldest temple and was established in the late 13th century. The best part is out back so be sure to walk further into the site.
Wat Chedi Luang's chedi was built in the 15th century. This must be a key sight in the city, with bus-loads of tourists as well as clearly-marked admission lanes.
Wat Phra Singh is the city's most revered temple with plenty of gold in its well-manicured grounds.
More of Chiang Mai on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/chiangmai.htm
I've been lucky to find a lot of good deals out of Macau for long weekends in 2019. My 2nd trip out of here in 2019 would be to Chiang Mai on AirAsia. Rather than taking the bridge from Hong Kong, which was almost 3 hours door-to-door, I found a cheap deal on the ferry's premium class and decided to sail to Macau in luxury instead. From the Taipa ferry terminal, casino shuttles would make the short trip to the airport.
The upper deck of the ferry was quite empty and we were even served a drink and snacks on an airplane-style tray for the hour-long ride as I watched the sun set over the South China Sea.
Macau's airport has a decent selection of restaurants but I would recommend eating elsewhere. Plenty of casino shuttles make it to here and each casino seems to have an endless assortment of restaurants.
You can see many casinos within reach from the terminal building.
Somewhat regretting my expensive dinner in the terminal, I was surprised to find the in-flight catering to be very affordable on AirAsia.
120 baht is not even USD $4. I scanned through the menu and many hot options were attractive. As I doubted they would carry everything onboard from the inbound flight, I would suggest pre-booking online to avoid disappointment.
Northern Thailand is a world away from the bustle of Bangkok or the crowded beaches of Phuket. You come here to enjoy the temples, cooler weather, and mountains. Map out your walking tour and most temples are within a short walk of each other. However, do make use of the Grab cars when the weather gets too hot and you need an air-conditioning break.
Wat Chiang Man is the city's oldest temple and was established in the late 13th century. The best part is out back so be sure to walk further into the site.
Wat Chedi Luang's chedi was built in the 15th century. This must be a key sight in the city, with bus-loads of tourists as well as clearly-marked admission lanes.
Wat Phra Singh is the city's most revered temple with plenty of gold in its well-manicured grounds.
More of Chiang Mai on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/chiangmai.htm
Mar 2, 2020, 12:45 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,505
Mar 2, 2020, 11:26 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Odessa, Ukraine
Programs: Lufthansa SEN, Bonvoy LT TE, SIXT Diamond, AVIS President, HERTZ President
Posts: 268
I've been to Chiang Mai many times. After I already saw everything I mainly return for the 'Khao Soi' (a Northern Thai soup) and the 'Suki'.
For the best Khao Soi you enter into Google Maps 'Khao Soi Khun Yai' (Grandmother Yai's Khao Soi). This place is very popular by locals for lunch (operating only 10 am to 2 pm), but during the last year also a lot of tourists are eating there. Luckily the quality remained the same, prices didn't go up.
For dinner there's a night market just on the other side of the channel. On the parking lot of the local Ford dealer you'll find the spot with the best 'Suki'.
Famous is the 'Lady with the Cowboy Head', seeing pork with rice and garlic. But she got too famous, quality isn't up to earlier standards.
Enjoy Chiang Mai !
For the best Khao Soi you enter into Google Maps 'Khao Soi Khun Yai' (Grandmother Yai's Khao Soi). This place is very popular by locals for lunch (operating only 10 am to 2 pm), but during the last year also a lot of tourists are eating there. Luckily the quality remained the same, prices didn't go up.
For dinner there's a night market just on the other side of the channel. On the parking lot of the local Ford dealer you'll find the spot with the best 'Suki'.
Famous is the 'Lady with the Cowboy Head', seeing pork with rice and garlic. But she got too famous, quality isn't up to earlier standards.
Enjoy Chiang Mai !
Mar 23, 2020, 9:25 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,505
My flight into Chiang Mai from Macau was a 1-way. Scanning the web for a cheap fare back home, I didn't want to transit in Macau once again. Hong Kong Express' website had a direct flight, but surprisingly, a Chinese-owned travel website had a better deal. This is odd, since low-cost carriers typically don't like to pay commissions to external agents. Fearing this may not be a real deal as this agency was rumoured to have sourced tickets using illegal means, I held my breath when the credit card was charged and the booking noted the ticket would be issued within 24 hours. Later that night, I received the airline confirmation ID, which worked on Hong Kong Express' website. That was a scary 10 hours' wait!
Chiang Mai's modest airport isn't award-winning, but is utilitarian.
They got the clocks wrong though.
Thais greatly respect their royal figures, even setting up a shrine in the airport.
Air-side, while the seating area is big, it was full house this evening. The food selection is pitiful and even the fast food joint was unmanned at times.
With a 7:30pm departure, I had to buy dinner on board, which was a small rice box and definitely not enough to fill up. I miss Air Asia's meals now.
The Price Tag :
Macau - Chiang Mai (Air Asia) MOP $975 (USD $123)
Chiang Mai - Hong Kong (HK Express) HKD $707 (USD $91)
Chiang Mai's modest airport isn't award-winning, but is utilitarian.
They got the clocks wrong though.
Thais greatly respect their royal figures, even setting up a shrine in the airport.
Air-side, while the seating area is big, it was full house this evening. The food selection is pitiful and even the fast food joint was unmanned at times.
With a 7:30pm departure, I had to buy dinner on board, which was a small rice box and definitely not enough to fill up. I miss Air Asia's meals now.
The Price Tag :
Macau - Chiang Mai (Air Asia) MOP $975 (USD $123)
Chiang Mai - Hong Kong (HK Express) HKD $707 (USD $91)
Oct 3, 2020, 3:11 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: TK M&S, BAEC, EK
Posts: 257
Thank you for an enjoyable read.
After a long period when I somehow didn't get round to looking at trip reports, I am just starting to catch up again. So please excuse a comment months after you originally posted this.
Chiang Mai is one of my favourite places and your photos reminded me that unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to spend a bit of time there this year.
After a long period when I somehow didn't get round to looking at trip reports, I am just starting to catch up again. So please excuse a comment months after you originally posted this.
Chiang Mai is one of my favourite places and your photos reminded me that unfortunately I haven't had the opportunity to spend a bit of time there this year.
Oct 3, 2020, 10:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 175
I very much appreciated your trip report and photos. I had three days in Chiang Mai a few years ago, but spent almost all my time eating, so it's nice to get a look at the temples
. I clicked through to your website and am really loving the photos there. Thanks and take care!
. I clicked through to your website and am really loving the photos there. Thanks and take care!
Oct 15, 2020, 9:15 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,695
For the best Khao Soi you enter into Google Maps 'Khao Soi Khun Yai' (Grandmother Yai's Khao Soi). This place is very popular by locals for lunch (operating only 10 am to 2 pm), but during the last year also a lot of tourists are eating there. Luckily the quality remained the same, prices didn't go up.