Hello, this is our fifth trip! This time, we will be traveling to the north again. We will be visiting two provinces: Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. Before we begin, let me explain how this trip came about. I had to travel to Chiang Mai for an exam in early January and had some free time afterwards. So, I decided to stay and explore the area before returning to work. Initially, I planned to visit Mae Hong Son and stay at Leewine Love Mae Hong Son. Then, I would return to Chiang Mai via Doi Inthanon. However, when I checked the availability of rooms in January, everything was booked solid! So, I decided to go to Chiang Rai and Doi Ang Khang instead. Our trip will last for three days and three nights, from January 9th to 11th, 2017.

This trip will focus on eating local northern Thai food and taking photos...of people! As the trip name suggests, "Foggy Breasts," wherever we went, there was only fog and rain. Therefore, we couldn't take any scenic photos, so we focused on taking photos of people and eating!! 5555

[Day 1] January 9, 2017

This time, we'll start from Chiang Mai, as we arrived there on January 6th, 2017. We flew from Khon Kaen to Chiang Mai with AirAsia, which took a little over an hour. However, the flight schedule wasn't very convenient for sightseeing. Anyway, our plan for the first day was to leave Chiang Mai at 9 am and travel to Chiang Rai. This time, we didn't take public transportation because we rented a car with two friends. This trip seemed a bit more luxurious... haha. But in reality, we didn't leave Chiang Mai until almost 10 am. Haha.

The first stop on our journey is Mae Manee Khao Soi Restaurant (pictured above, the house behind it), renowned for its authentic northern Thai Khao Soi. Reaching the restaurant is a breeze: follow the GPS towards Mae Rim district, make a U-turn, and turn right into the alley before the City Hall intersection. After a short drive down the alley, you'll find the restaurant, which is quite small and easily missed with its tiny sign. While the initial taste might be unfamiliar to non-locals, the flavors gradually grow on you, leaving a smooth and delightful experience on your palate. It's truly delicious!

Around 11:00 AM, after a satisfying lunch of Khao Soi, we set off for Chiang Rai. Our itinerary for Chiang Rai included: sipping tea at Choui Fong Tea Plantation, cycling around Singha Park, savoring northern Thai cuisine by the river, and indulging in the renowned Khao Soi.

At 2:00 p.m., we arrived at Choui Fong Tea Plantation, which is located approximately 40 kilometers from Chiang Rai city. Upon arrival, we were famished and decided to indulge in a hearty meal to replenish our energy before embarking on our photoshoot.

Let's collect the tea leaves!

At 3:30 p.m., we set off for Singha Park to cycle around the vineyard. We expected to arrive around 4:30 p.m., but in reality, it was closer to 5:30 p.m. due to heavy traffic in the city.

Let's go cycling!

Let's go to the zoo and watch the giraffes eat bananas! 5555

Note: If you plan to rent a bicycle at Singha Park, the information desk at the front of Boon Rawd Farm closes at 6:00 PM. Therefore, if you want to rent a bicycle, you must arrive before 5:00 PM. However, if you drive to the recreation area with the zipline, it closes at 7:00 PM. We rented bicycles and rode around the farm. The weather was fantastic, and we loved it. We took pictures of the beautiful evening scenery at Singha Park.

After a tiring bike ride, we returned to our accommodation, "Baan Waraporn Dee." This small guesthouse in the heart of Chiang Rai offers a variety of room options, including spacious rooms for two or three guests. The three-person room comfortably accommodates three people, making it an ideal choice for groups.

After we stored our belongings at the hotel, we set off for a meal at a renowned northern Thai restaurant called "Lu Lam." To reach the restaurant, we drove towards Mae Sai, made a U-turn under the Kok River bridge, and turned left into an alley. The restaurant boasts a delightful ambiance, and the food was flavorful. However, the establishment was crowded, and the service was slow.

Crispy pork belly with northern Thai chili dip (please don't focus on the food in the background haha)

Northern Thai sausage is also available.

After finishing our meal, we continued our search for food at... Pink Milk Truck... This trip was all about finding delicious eats. This particular milk shop is located in a pink van parked in front of the 7-Eleven on Ban Borp Prakan Road. If you're unfamiliar with this road, it's the 7-Eleven located between the color-changing clock tower and Samut Sakhon Wittayakhom School. Just look for the van in the picture, and you'll find it!

After finishing our bedtime milk, we quickly took a shower and went to bed. The next day, we embarked on a mission to find Auntie Suk's Khao Soi Nua, followed by a cup of hot tea at a ryokan, and then continued our journey to Doi Ang Khang.

**[Day 2] January 10, 2017**

At 7:30 a.m., while my friends were showering, I snuck away to see the Chiang Rai Flower Festival at Tung and Lantern Park in Chiang Rai. The festival showcased a wide variety of flowers, including lilies, tulips, and many others. Let's take a look at the pictures... While I was taking pictures, it started to rain heavily, as if it didn't care that people were trying to climb the mountain. Oh no! TT

After strolling through the flower exhibition for a while, it was time to meet up with our friends and head out to hunt for... the famous Aunt Suk's Khao Soi Ngiaw. The restaurant is located on San Kok Noi Road, which is conveniently located opposite Chiang Rai Rajaprajanukroh Hospital. The Khao Soi Ngiaw here is notoriously spicy, which I personally couldn't handle, but my friends who tried it both confirmed that it was absolutely delicious.

Following our visit to the White Temple, we embarked on a quest to find Totoro at the nearby Ryokan Cafe. Conveniently located on our route to Fang District, this cafe exudes a distinctly Japanese ambiance. The matcha served here is exceptionally authentic, a delight for matcha enthusiasts seeking an intense green tea experience. Moreover, the cafe offers a plethora of photogenic corners, making it an ideal spot for capturing memorable moments.

Dorae....monnnnnn (sing in your own tune lol 5555)

The highlight is the Japanese character Totoro, which stands tall at the Ryokan farm, opposite the coffee shop. Initially, the Ryokan was located on the farm, but due to the increasing number of visitors and the addition of accommodation, it was moved to the opposite side. The accommodation consists of small houses and an outdoor hot spring bath. We didn't visit the accommodation, but we captured the view of the cafe and the farm. If you plan to visit, it's recommended to take the Phahonyothin route. If you follow the GPS from Singha Park, it will lead you to a gravel road.

11:00 AM. After soaking in the Japanese atmosphere and taking photos to our heart's content, it was time to embark on our journey to Doi Ang Khang. This was the highlight of the trip, without a doubt.

We embarked on a journey along the road leading to Mae Lao, then continued to Mae Suai district, and turned left towards Fang district. This route required us to ascend a mountain, but the scenery was breathtaking, with mist appearing intermittently. Don't ask how I knew this route; I relied solely on GPS throughout the entire trip.

Around 1 p.m., we arrived at the entrance of Wat Hat Samran. According to previous reviews, the road leading up from the village of Arunotai is less steep, but it would have added 70 kilometers to our journey. We decided to take the shorter route, thinking, "How steep could it be? It's only 20 kilometers. Easy!" However, the road wasn't as daunting as the one leading to Giant Restaurant. The thick fog, however, reduced visibility to only 10-20 meters, making it impossible to see oncoming vehicles. Initially, we thought it was just fog, but when we rolled down the windows, the strong smell of asphalt hit us. The road was under construction! It was quite eerie and made us a bit dizzy.

Upon arriving at Doi Ang Khang, we checked into our accommodation at the Mae Phae Headwaters Management Unit. We had called all the guesthouses near the Royal Agricultural Station, but they were all fully booked. So we searched on Google and found this place, which also offered accommodation. The house we stayed in was designed for six people, but there were only three of us, so we had plenty of space to roll around! And most importantly, it had hot water! We could finally take a comfortable shower... 555

The descent to the accommodation is extremely challenging.

Hazy fog or smoke... it's not hazy anymore!

This is the house where we stayed...actually it's an office, but they converted it into a bedroom! 5555

The bed is very spacious.

After settling into our accommodation, we immediately set off for the Doi Ang Khang Royal Agricultural Station. Although it was already past 3:00 PM, we were eager to explore. The entrance fee was 50 baht per person, and an additional 50 baht for our car.

Our first stop was the helicopter landing pad, where there was a small plum orchard. We were taking photos for a while when the fog rolled in, hence the name of our trip... "Foggy Escape."

The fog is coming.

Due to the heavy fog, we had to relocate our filming to Suan 80, a garden showcasing a diverse array of flowers, including the iconic tiger lily. Despite the relocation, we still managed to capture footage of the tiger lily, as we figured it would be impossible to film near the station given the dense fog.

There are other flowers as well.

We continued shooting until it started to get dark and the fog rolled in again. We were forced to retreat back to the station. We had originally planned to visit the plum garden, but it was getting dark and we decided the photos wouldn't be good.

We went for a walk to find dinner at the walking street, which is open every day. There are many different kinds of food, such as grilled sweet potatoes, grilled pork neck, grilled pork, or if you want to eat a hot pot, there is also a service. Just contact the shop near the walking street and they will deliver it to your accommodation.

After finishing our grocery shopping, we returned to our accommodation, which was eerily quiet... with no activities to do due to the rain! Sigh... it seems to happen every season!! 555 So we decided to... sleep! For today, sweet dreams! Before bed, let's pray that it won't rain tomorrow!! Amen!!

[Day 2] January 11, 2017

We woke up feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep of almost 12 hours. However, the weather was not as bright as our mood. It had been raining all night and continued into the morning. Sigh... We decided to head back down to Chiang Mai and find some attractions closer to the city. Ugh... I don't know what to do. I'm so annoyed by the rain!!!

I'm leaving Ang Khang now, but I'll be back! This time, I'm really angry!

On our way back, we descended through the village of Arunotai and emerged in Chiang Dao. The road was significantly easier to navigate, with less steep inclines and stunning scenery. We passed numerous hill tribe villages, reminiscent of rural Chinese villages. For those who are not confident drivers, this route is highly recommended! 555

We continued driving until we reached the Pha Daeng viewpoint, where we stopped for a few photos. Since arriving, we hadn't seen any mountains, and even on the mountain, we were met with fog! After taking some photos, we continued driving down.

We stumbled upon a breathtaking field, so we pulled over to take some pictures. As soon as we opened the car door, we were hit with an intense garlic aroma. The pungent smell was overwhelming, but the field was undeniably beautiful! 5555

Around 1:00 PM, we arrived at Chiang Dao district. We decided to stop by a local restaurant to try their famous pork leg dish. The restaurant is known for using a traditional charcoal stove to cook the pork leg, and the taste definitely lived up to its reputation.

After finishing lunch, we immediately set off for Chiang Mai. We planned to stop by the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, but it rained the whole way there. We hoped that the rain would stop by the time we reached the garden, as we wanted to take photos on the Canopy walkway. However, if it was raining, they would probably close it.

Upon arrival, the rain began to fall, much to our disappointment. As a result, we were only able to visit the greenhouse complex, which is why we have so few photos to share. However, the greenhouse complex is not limited to the cacti that are frequently seen on social media. It also includes a tropical rainforest garden, an orchid garden, a lotus garden, and various other themed gardens. Be sure to check it out!

The orchid flower has arrived.

Hipster jobs also exist.

After spending nearly an hour at the location, the heavy rain prompted us to return to Chiang Mai city. We decided to find food around Nimmanhaemin Road and then dessert. We stayed at Get Zleep, a hotel affiliated with the Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna, Chiang Mai. The room was incredibly spacious and beautifully decorated. If you're looking for a place to stay or have business near CMU, this is a great option to consider.

After checking into our accommodation, we headed to Nimmanha Road in search of food. We opted for two restaurants, but unfortunately, both were closed. We ended up at a small roadside stall called "Bai Makrut Fried Chicken," which turned out to be a delightful surprise. The food was delicious, and the menu offered a wide variety of options.

After finishing our meal, we returned to our accommodation as it was getting very late. We had to wake up early the next morning to catch our 7 am flight back to Khon Kaen. We didn't want to miss our flight!

Sweet dreams, Chiang Mai.

The trip was not as worthwhile as it could have been due to the rain. Otherwise, we would have been able to capture many more beautiful photos. We will definitely have to come back again! There are still many places to explore. Chiang Mai is a city that you can never get tired of visiting. Maybe I should move to Chiang Mai for a while. Haha! See you on our next trip soon!

Finally, as always, please follow our page! 5555

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