Category Archives: chiang mai

Shopping In Chiang Mai

January 30, 2008 – 12:21 pm

I was determined to bring back an elephant from Chiang Mai but Tiger Airways limited my check-in luggage to 15kg. Was it because the tiger fears my elephant?

I did still go on a spree though. My favouritest goodies from the trip:

1. ORGANIC OLIVE OIL HYDRATING FACIAL CLEANSER by http://mythproducts.com.

99% plant derived ingredients, 100% parabens (preservative) free.

A deep cleansing, hydrating formula, blending mild surfactants helps protect skin from moisture loss. Gently sweep away make-up residue, impurities, and dead skin cells without stripping skin’s natural moisture.

This has to be my favorite buy from Thailand. It is the gentlest and most protective facial cleanser I’ve ever used in my entire life! Makes me feel soooo precious. :smile:

2. ALOE VERA SHAMPOO in recyclable PET bottle by http://bynatureshop.com

The Aloe Vera in this is not organic but it is still a 99% natural and 100% parabens free shampoo.

Enriched with Aloe vera extract that restore vitality and shine of hair, moisture scalp, prevent hair loss and leave hair more manageable. Gentle enough to use every day and safe for all hair types including color-treated hair.

I like it that it is mild but I have to admit, this is not easy to use. It foams up very little so it almost feels like you are not washing at all. I suppose that’s how you can tell it doesn’t have the same ingredients as laundry detergent?

3. ALOE VERA + OLIVE OIL CONDITIONER in recyclable PET bottle by http://bynatureshop.com

Again, this is not an organic product but is still 99% Plant Derived without SLS, SLES, DEA and Parabens.

Enriched with Aloe vera extract that restore vitality and shine of hair, moisture scalp, prevent hair lose and leave hair more managable. Gentle enough to use ever day and safe for all hair types including color-treated hair.

My expectation for this conditioner was very low. Since it is a healthier product than Pantene (R), I expected it not to work as well as Pantene (R). Haha! It totally surprised me though. After using this for the first time, I discovered that it did a much better job than Pantene (R)! I guess I’ve been sold by all those beautiful girls on TV with exceptionally luxurious, soft, bouncy hair. What an excellent buy! I’m so glad I discovered this range.

4. ORGANIC OLIVE OIL HYDRATING HAIR TREATMENT by http://mythproducts.com

An olive oil-enriched treatment to help deeply nourish, moisturize, strengthens hair, and restore healthy-looking shine. With its high concentration of Vitamin E delivers significant antioxidant and moisturizing properties to provide luster and elasticity to dull, damaged hair. Helps to repair weakened hair by preserve moisture balance leaving hair manageable and supple, full of shine and softness.

I haven’t tried this hair treatment but I’ve been so happy with the rest of these products, my expectations are now as high as Mount Everest.

They are so affordable too. The hair treatment costs only 190Baht which is US$6.00 or SG$8.58 or RM19.58. I can’t remember the price of the rest.

For my next shopping spree in Thailand, I feel like taking out payday loans so that I can bring back an elephantine lot! What do you think?

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Stewed Pork Knuckle In Herbs and Sauces

January 28, 2008 – 1:02 pm

Well, enough about the hotel. Let’s talk about the yummilicious food!

Almost every day that we were in Chiang Mai, we will enjoy one meal of pork rice, shared between the two of us. :D

This was from a stall in the Tops Market Place food court which is right next to where we live. Admittedly, it was a little less creative to eat the same thing every day, but the pork rice is sooo delicious, we couldn’t resist!

Imagine, pork knuckle stewed for hours and hours in a big pot of herbs and soy sauce, served with crumbly boiled eggs and crispy green veges. Mmmm… I feel like flying back to Chiang Mai already, :lol: !

By Precious | Also posted in street food | Comments (1)

The Magnificent View Of Chiang Mai From My Hotel Room

January 28, 2008 – 12:35 pm

When I have finally found my way to the hotel room, I jumped onto the bed, then jumped up again. I wanted to pull open the thick curtains to reveal the calming green view of the Chiang Mai hills, where elephants roam freely and hill-tribe girls jingle their necklaces.

Unfortunately, when the curtains were open wide, all I saw was this: a brick wall!

It wasn’t even as interesting as the brick wall in the photo above. It was dull grey and you could see that the bricks were carelessly slapped together. Not a very inspiring sight.

A few days later, I came upon this quote,

“All that I see teaches me to thank the Creator for all I can not see.” - Dr. Henrietta Mears

:lol: How appropriate!

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Precious Arrives in Thailand!

January 21, 2008 – 7:44 pm

Sawadee Kah! We groggily left the house at 4:15am Sunday Morning after an hour of harried packing. Not that we’re complaining, haha.

The next day, over lunch, we met a young girl, fresh out of school, who travelled here from another country. She had to take a boat, followed by a car, followed by a small plane, followed by a big plane to get here! :shock:

This is where we’re staying at the moment. It is right next to a huge shopping mall.

chiang mai hotel

The charmingly traditional facade of the hotel hides the truth that it is really entrance to a complicated labyrinth.

To get to our rooms on the first day, we had to check in at the lobby, take the elevator to the fourth floor, walk through a small maze through the shopping mall, end up on the first floor of the other wing of the hotel, take another elevator to the fourth floor of this wing…

To get to the hall, we need to take the elevator to L2, walk through a small maze through the cinema, to the other wing of the hotel, and find the hidden staircase. :lol:

Oh, and all the signages? They are really coded messages. Just because an arrow points to the right does not mean you are supposed to turn right. It’s actually straight ahead.

Similarly, just because the signage in the elevator says Swimming Pool - 6th floor, does not mean the swimming pool is on the sixth floor. It is on the seventh.

So get smart, people! Don’t be fooled!

PS: Don’t get me wrong, we are having the time of our life here. Catch up next week when I introduce you to my new elephant! *grin*

By Precious | Comments (2)