6-10 July 2006
Day 1:
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep (Temple Doi Suthep)
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep is a Buddhist temple located at Doi Suthep. The temple is located 15 km from Chiang Mai city and is a sacred site to the locals. It is a popular destination for foreign visitors and a MUST TO VISIT!
Two ways of getting up to the temple. At the temple base, you can either climb 309 steps which is free to reach the pagodas or ride the tram. The tram costs 30 Thai baht for foreigners (or 50 baht for a two-way ticket) and it is free for the locals.
Once inside the temple grounds, we have to take off our shoes. We have to wet our feet because the floor is wet since it is a drizzling morning. It is not advisable to visit Chiang Mai in July as it is the rainy season. We must appropriately dressed too before entering the temple. We were told that we can have magnificent view on top of the hill, but it was covered with thick mist since it's raining. Not too lucky for us.
Top view of The Naga Stairway, with a total of 306 steps. Due to time constrained, we did not walk down the stair. The sides of the stair are decorated with colourful and scaly Siamese legendary dragons.
We are waiting for our bus at the main entrance to the temple and the vision is blur because of the rain. 
Day 2:
Mae Ram Orchid Farm
We were given a small orchid that pinned onto our shirt as a welcome gift. However, the place is not too amazed though, just another ordinary orchid farm to me.
Mae Sa Elephant Camp / Training Centre
This camp offers elephant shows, bathing elephants and elephant rides. Located about an hour’s drive into the Mae Sa Valley, this is a great outing for the whole family.
Feeding the Elephants with banana and sugar cane is fun. They even run after us for more food.
The elephants are ready to go for rides...
It's bathing time for the elephants. The lady with the basket is standing there collecting the elephants' shit.
Interesting performance by the elephants.
They can even draw. And the drawings are for sales at 2000 Baht.
The handicraft Village: silk weaving, silverware, lacquer ware, teak wood carving and umbrella making.
Shopping at one of the shopping malls after dinner at night.
Day 3:
Day trip to Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle - Laos and Myanmar, Mae Sai (Border Town).
On the way, just a quick stop at Chiang Rai Hot Spring.
The Longneck Karen Village - Ahka Tribe
Boat ride to cross the Thailand border to The Golden Triangle - Laos and Myanmar.
A beautiful open-air temple with a big golden Buddha statue 
Oh, here we are at the Laos border, loitering around for an hour or so to do some shopping for T-shirts, souvenirs, handy crafts and etc.
Just hanging around trying out their local food and some shopping. The Mae Sai Town.There is an immigration checkpoint at Mae Sai, which is the border between Thailand and Myanmar.
At the Mae Sai Shopping Area.
At the open-air temple
Day 4:
Free and easy, visit around the city area.
Body massage at one of the shopping centres. Enjoy...
More shopping at night, at the Sunday Night Market. A lot of hand made souvenirs and art deco can be found here. Very cheap foot massage by the road.
Smiling while riding in the local public transport "tut-tut" car.
