Going aboard Air Asia low-cost airline for the first time was an eye-opening experience, especially the “pay-as-you-eat” meals. The return trip from Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai costs me RM780 (not cheap, but cheapest among others) and it took 2 hours and a half to arrive. When we went outside of the airport, a group of cab drivers literally ambushed us. One took our bag and led us out while my husband bargained the fare to our hotel.

“Where do you stay?”
“Belle Villa Resort”, husband replied.

“Oh, that’s high in the forest. 700 Baht.” the cab driver remarked.

We figured that’s the standard ( we did check with hotel) and began our 30 minutes ride uphill. Tucked in between two mountains, Belle Villa is a beautiful hill resort that resembled an English countryside with it’s homely cottages and villas. There are explosions of flowers everywhere – I was very thrilled by the scenery. The staff spoke in broken English but with their best Thai charm, so you don’t get annoyed explaining to them what you want. I can’t wait to take a walk around the hotel. We were told that they have 2 young elephants as the hotel’s pet and we could see them in the morning during breakfast. On the way before, we already planned to hire the same cab to take us to an elephant safari and some other tourist attractions around Chiang Mai the next day so I look forward to that. After we checked into our suite, (left photo)

we had lunch at the hotel- some cashew nut fried rice. Being Muslim, I prefer to take anything vegetarian/seafood for meals. Fortunately, most Thais are devout Buddhist and vegetarian, so that, and tom yam kung is going to be my regular meal for the next few days.

These are some of the snaps I took around Belle Villa resort:

Day 2
The next morning, sunshine pierced brightly through the windows at my bed as if it’s 10 am – when it was actually 6! Here in north Thailand sun is up early, and so was I. Wasn’t sure whether solat Subuh is valid but prayer time overseas is always confusing so it’s best to follow your instinct. We had breakfast then head to Mae Tamann Elephant Camp afterwards. We were charged entrance fee of 1500 Baht each for a full package of elephant and ox-car ride plus rafting – lunch inclusive.

The elephants first greeted us with a lovely show. They danced, played football, painted, etc for half an hour.

We then went for an hour jungle trek on an elephant’s back. It was really wild and fun; crossing rivers and going up and down the hills. It was really bumpy on the elephant and our guide laughed all the way at our comments and shrieks. My daughter Fatin had a royal treatment as she was alone on her elephant (like a Siamese princess!).

Later, we rode on an ox-cart. Our guide let me navigate the cart for about 5 minutes while he smoked at the side. Thank God the oxes are tame or else I would’ve ridden my family to hell! *grin!

It was already hot by the time we reach the bamboo-rafting spot. There were some Thai guides there and they pointed us to the life jackets and without a clue Fatin and I put on the jackets for children! They laughed at us and we quickly changed for the adult-ones. Then we got onto the bamboo raft and pursued a 4km adventure along the Ri-Ping river. At some point the guide gave us a chance to paddle the raft and we took turns. It wasn’t that dangerous because the water was calm and quite shallow at 6-8 feet.

When we reached the end pier of our rafting adventure, we found Annan (the cab driver) waiting for us. He offered to take us to a number of places like snake and tiger farms but we declined and chose to go home. Along the way we spotted a shooting range and stopped to take a look. Husband decided to give it a try because this is a rare opportunity in Malaysia (arms is illegal in Malaysia) We settled on 50 shots among the 3 of us, between a .45 pistol and two rifles. Allow me to add that I had won with two shots close to the X…he he..

Annan took us to the hilltribes village before we went home. They have gathered four different tribes like the long-necked Karen, Liku and Palong in one village like a cultural display to give insight on how this people live in normal. This is a rare chance because I’ve seen these in Discovery Channel and now got to see them for real.

Day 3
We pushed off early towards the infamous Golden Triangle (an illicit opium-producing area in South East Asia) – world’s second largest producer of opium. It was a 3 hour journey from Chiang Mai and along the way I was amused by the miles and miles stretch of rice field between Thai village houses. Its roof is similar to the Malay traditional house making it a familiar sight – as if it’s just a typical trip to a Malay hometown. We stopped for lunch at a Muslim stall in Chiang Rai. Surprise surprise – they got nasi beriyani Thai version. Husband was so delighted he took a second helping! Then we proceed to Mai Sae to see a hill-top view of the Golden Triangle with all three countries’ borders – Thai, Myanmar and Laos – joined by the Mekong River.

First we went to Laos side of the border by boat. We were given an hour to explore a small Laos market at the river bank. Funny part is there was no immigration checkpoint – it was like a gangster town where anyone can just enter. Laos looked very impoverished – the souvenirs spoke for themselves. I saw bottles of snake-soaked tonics of all sizes, opium containers, cheap liquor, silk-bags, etc..it looked exotic and barbaric as well. I wish I had more time to explore but our boatman beckoned for us to leave.

An hour later at about 4 pm, we found ourselves at the other border of Thailand-Myanmar. This time around, the immigration check was very strict. The Burmese army looked firm and fierce as they inspected our passport. We were reminded that we need to exit the border at 5 pm or else we are required to stay in the country. All entrance and exit are not permissible after 5 – as if ‘darurat’. The border area wasn’t hit by the recent cyclone – that’s at Yangon, middle of Myanmar. But you can see that the people are largely poor and fear-stricken. The army personnel is everywhere, so I was quite scared to be free snapping away with my camera in case they might confiscate it if they think I’m a spy. I did take a photo outside the checkpoint and one at a Myanmar market.

The Myanmar market was quite a thrill itself – husband was being bugged left and right by sellers offering porn and Viagra pills! He gripped my hand close as insurance that he’s attached it seems! We didn’t buy anything because the whole market is like a small version of Petaling Street in KL albeit a quiet one. Plus, we didn’t know what to expect of the place apart from that it was a real eye-opener to what we’ve seen and heard of Myanmar on TV.

It was a dream to go see the opium farm and had we come earlier during the day Annan could have taken us there but since there was about an hour or so before we’re supposed to exit, we couldn’t go. Thailand has already banned the opium production but it’s rumored active in the nearby hills of Myanmar borders. It would be a lesson for me as well if I could see it, but having set foot on one of the most controversial country in the world was worthy and enough the trip here.

Day 4
After a few days of full adventure, today we hung out at the hotel. Fatin went for a swim and husband and I lingered at the hotel’s lobby to read. There was some tribe women showing how to weave so I went to learn a bit, not that I gain anything apart from wheeling some thread. They were making some cloth for bags and stuff. At 5 pm we took the hotel’s shuttle bus to go downtown Chiang Mai and check out the famous night bazaar. There was nothing much to see really because it’s an extended version of our Petaling Street. Lots of fake goods. The only thing worth checking is the 5 bucks reflexology and massage. There was a big mosque (according to Annan there are 5 mosques all over Chiang Mai so Muslims are plenty here I reckoned) and we ate dinner at a Pakistani restaurant nearby.

Day 5
At breakfast, we finally met the resident elephant. He was painting and it was incredible that an elephant can paint as perfect as humans. At 9 am, we waved goodbye to the hotel’s staff. Going home and thinking to myself, this is one of the most fun trip I’ve encountered.