ONE RARE EXPERIENCE ON A MICROLIGHT PLANE

HAVE YOU EVER TRIED RIDING ON A MICROLIGHT PLANE??

A microlight is an aircraft that is not designed to carry more than two people and has a maximum take off weight not exceeding 450 kilos. This means that this plane have relatively short take off and landing capabilities making them ideal for small airfields. 

Another memorable experience on this trip to Chiang Mai was another sky adventure... Riding a microlight plane. Before I left Manila last November-- I was trying to get in contact with the handlers of the microlight plane adventure in Chiang Mai... they were not responding to my several emails to them. So I decided to ask Moo, our contact in Chiang Mai to get hold of them and try to get bookings for a microlight adventure trip -- this time... I wanted the ride at 4:30pm --- to get sunset shots. Moo informed me that there were only 2 microlight planes available so we had to plan well who will take the first flight out. The flights lasts for 15 or 30 minutes.  The flight which will last for 15 minutes ( will carry Oskie and Jaqui  on the first trip ) and the second flight which will last for 30 minutes ( Boom and I will be flying together up in the sky on separate planes ).

I was trying to convince Oskie to go and take it with us. He had his misgivings about the microlight saying it was small, etc. In short... he wasn't too keen on going on the plane. But Boom and his wife Jaqui were raring to go. Not wanting to be left out in the adventure he acceded to my pleas.

Our pick up at the hotel was at 3:30pm. We all decided to have a light lunch that day and waited for the pick up.

HOT AIR BALLOON OVER CHIANG MAI- A Once in a lifetime experience

A hot air balloon flight is something that most of us dream of experiencing at some point in our lives. 

The idea of taking a hot air balloon trip can be a very pleasing, tranquil experience----- silently and naturally floating through the air while looking down on some beautiful countryside. I particularly like the idea of taking a hot air balloon flight in the morning or evening when you would get to experience the dawn or sunset. Sunrise and sunset balloon flights are the most breathtaking of all.

Going up high in the sky on a hot air balloon has always been one of my life time dreams. I have always wanted to try this experience everywhere I heard there were hot air balloon rides. The nearest I got to actually see a hot air balloon was when I went to watch the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival in Pampanga. Even at that time -- I started to ask around if there was any way to get to ride one. Unfortunately, they were not taking any passengers on their balloons... I ended up taking photos of the various shapes of the balloons.

Since then I wanted to experience the ride. I tried to take a hot air balloon ride in several countries but was not able to do so... Maybe it was not the right time for me to ride one....Another attempt on riding  the hot air balloon was last February--- I was scheduled to go on the hot air balloon with my friend, Oskie... but I had an accident, fractured my foot and had to cancel the ride again.

But today... is a very special day for me... I was going up on the hot air balloon with my friends, Oskie, Boom and Jaqui. It was going to be a hot air balloon ride over Chiang Mai with champagne breakfast.... WOW!! what more can one ask for! We were scheduled to have an early dawn ride. " Perfect, I hope to get a good sunrise shot!! " -- was all I had in my mind. Oskie reminded us during dinner that the pick up time at our hotel  was 6:00am. Our wake up call will be at 5:00am. Great!!! I am an early riser so that would not pose any problem on my end.

Another look at Chiang Mai's Temples

SAWASDEE KA !!

There are over 300 temples in Chiang Mai and the surrounding areas, the majority of these temples are more than 200 years old. Apart from being a place of worship for the Thai people, the temples in Chiang Mai help to remind us of the rich heritage of the Lanna Kingdom.

The architectural styles of these temples include Lanna, Burmese and Sri Lankan. Many of the temples in Chiang Mai have the NAGA ( which are the dragon serpents ) stairways for protection, many beautiful woodcarvings and painted murals.

Most of the temples in Chiang Mai are open daily with free entry although a small doantion is always appreciated. Remember that these temples are places of worship so please dress with respect.

Today--- Oskie and I decided to go and take photos of the temples in Chiang Mai. We have made a list on which temples we wanted to see and take photos. On our way to or first temple,  I found out from our  Moo, our regular driver and tour guide whenever we are in Chiang Mai, told us that it was Buddha day this morning... there will be a lot of Thai people visiting the temples. I have already written in my blog last year , WAT DOI SUTHEP  ( see my blog ...   ). The Doi Suthep is one of the better known temples in Chiang Mai but if you have the time ---- it is well worth exploring some of the lesser known ones as well as there will always be a new treasure to discover.

 So we started off early... to our  first stop...

discovering Thailand.... part 14 Bangkok -WAT PHO - The home of the Reclining Buddha..

WAT PHO or Wat Phra Chetuphon as it is generally known to the Thais, is mainly famous for its Reclining Buddha Statue. It is the largest Wat in Bangkok and technically the oldest too. It was built 200 years before Bangkok became Thailand's capital. However, today the Wat today bears no resembleance to that originally constructed because it was completely rebuilt by Rama I when the capital was moved to Bangkok.

As you enter the  grounds of Wat Pho... you will see a small temple where there are smaller Buddhas... Buddhas of happiness, fortune and marriage. Before entering this temple you will see a big brass GONG -- which you have to strike as you enter.

This highly impressive gold plated reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, and it was designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into nirvana.

The feet and the eyes are engraved with mother -of -pearl decoration. The feet shows 108 characteristics of the true Buddha. The picture above are the details of the sole of the feet of the Reclining Buddha.

As you enter the temple where you find the reclining Buddha you will hear a distinctive sound... something like bells ringing... I went to look where the sound was coming from.. I saw the sound that I was hearing was not bells ringing but people putting coins on little brass containers. You can buy a handful of coins for 50 Baht -- and the Thai people believe that when you drop coins in these brass containers -- you will have good luck..

In the large grounds of Wat Pho contains more than 1000 buddha images, most of them come from the ruins of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, the former capitals of Thailand.

Wat Pho is also famous as Thailand's first university and it is the center for traditional Thai massage. To get a traditional massage here costs 150 Baht for 30 minutes and they have herbal massages for 350 Baht an hour. If you want to experience traditional Thai massage, this is probably the best place available and is highly recommended, though be aware that it is not exactly a gentle experience. They also have foot reflexology massages which is 250 Baht for 45 minutes.

I watched a cultural show where young students dressed in their colorful national costume performed for the tourists. They were very good !!

Wat Pho is opened every day from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. There are guides that can be hired at the entrance for 200 Baht. But if you ask me, you really don't need one ---- I just wandered around the grounds and took my pictures of the Wats and the Buddhas.

I hope I can go back to Thailand... there are more sights I still want to go to..... I hope you liked the photos of Thailand... Till Then......

SAWADEE KAA!!

discovering Thailand.... part 13 Bangkok -The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.......

Today we will be heading to the floating market outside Bangkok... We had an early start because our tour guide/driver told us we should be there very early to avoid the traffic of the city and.... the tourists going to see the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

One of the most visited tourist sites on the outskirts of Bangkok, is the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, the original and most promoted floating market. It is located 110 kilometers from Bangkok in Rachaburi province.

Boasting of a vast range of fruits, vegetables, hand-crafted products, and tours that captivate thousands of tourists and locals annually, the floating market provides the ideal day-trip destination for both first-timers and return enthusiasts.

Getting to the floating market takes between 1 1/2  to 2 hours from Bangkok depending on the traffic conditions. I recommend to do this tour on a weekend rather than a weekday to avoid spending unnecessary amount of time in traffic. The cost of this floating market tour is 800 Baht per person... and the tour takes almost 2 hours on the river.

Day in and day out from about 8:00 am to about 11:00 am the Floating market is routinely crowded by hundreds of vendors and purchasers floating in their small rowing boats selling and buying or exchanging their goods. What they produce are mostly from their own orchards. They usually travel on their small rowing boats. However, today the long- tailed engine boats have become very popular.

The original canals which now make up the floating market were built in 1866 by His Majesty the King of Thailand to help ease the communication in the province. The actual floating market started in 1967 and thrives today with the hordes of tourists from all over the world.

Regardless of which day of the week travelers decide to visit, the ambience at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market will entice your senses from the moment you arrive. One of the most popular products for purchase is food. The floating market offers travelers a seemingly limitless array of food drink to choose from. There are also sit-down restaurants beside the canals of Damnoen Saduak.

However, for a traditional Thai experience, opt for the " open eateries " along the canal, which usually specializes in one or two dishes such as noodles or soups. You can order food from a boat merchant and enjoy.  Although the price is rather cheap, the food is  delectable.

There was even a man selling /showing off his pet snake.. and people would scream as they would get closer to him.

Some food photos for you!!!

Most people visiting the floating market are foreigners and Thai tourists, but it does offer visitors an excellent opportunity to see something different and take some great pictures of what is a true Thai icon. If you  haven't had breakfast... you can actually have your breakfast in the floating market.. Your boat will stop wherever you tell them to stop so you can buy food.

Most tours to the floating market include some side trips such as this visit to the Coconut Sugar House where you will see how the Thai's make sugar from coconuts.

On our way back from the floating market.. i saw some children  swimming in the river....

 and this HUGE LIZARD crossing our boat... The guide told us .. that this lizard is a delicacy in Thailand...

Perhaps the only question that remains is ---- IS IT WORTH SPENDING half a day minimum on a tour to this floating market?? what I would say is ... If you have enough time , and have looked at the pictures and feel it would be of interest then... DEFINITELY.. I recommend it!!

Have fun at the Floating market!!! It is worth the time spent going to DAMNOEN SADUAK floating market. I would recommend that you wear light clothes since the boat ride will be very warm...

SAWADEE KAA!!

discovering Thailand.... part 12 Bangkok - JIM THOMPSON.... Best Thai Silk in Bangkok..

Jim Thompson is THE place to buy Thai silk in Bangkok, Thailand. He opened his own Thai silk company in 1950.  There are many Jim Thompson shops in Bangkok. You can find his shops at the large shopping malls in the city.

At Jim Thompson, you can buy silk fabric, silk scarves, ties shirts, jackets etc. Jim Thompson also has a wonderful selection of cotton t-shirts, canvas bags and you can buy upholstery fabric for furniture and cushions. A word of caution, If you buy at Jim Thompson, be prepared to pay the highest price. The quality is gorgeous but you will pay for it, so if you want a cheaper choice there are many other places that are much cheaper than Jim Thompson.

I went to the main store in Surawong Road, Bangkok. They had a restaurant inside that sold mouth watering desserts.

Don't forget to visit the Jim Thompson House. This traditional Thai house where Thompson lived is now the second most popular tourist attraction in Bangkok.

Address:    Jim Thompson
                 Surawong Road, Bangkok

opening hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm