Chiang Mai Encored (Mar 2014)

As a chunk of my Asiamile mileage was about to expire in January 2014, I decided to consume it with a trip.  While the Chiang Mai ticket was just good to consume the expiring mileage, I decided to spend just a weekend in Chiang Mai.  I had roughly three days to revisit the known spot.

Driving in Thailand

Thailand is adopting left-hand traffic.  I had no problem at all because Hong Kong is also adopting left-hand traffic.  I specifically picked Nissan Almera.  It is not only one of the most affordable model in the fleet, but also similar to my own Nissan Note in terms of chassis and CVT transmission system.  Also, Nissan Almera was the only car in the class so I would be less likely to be surprised by a lower end car within the same class (in my Sabah trip, I did received a Proton Saga instead of Ford Focus).  Still, when I actually drove the car, it did not feel the same.  The performance, and more importantly the reaction of the car were not up to the level of my Made-in-Japan car.

Doi Suthep Pui National Park (Mae Rim DIstrict)

I arrived Chiang Mai at 10 am.  After I picked up the car, it was already 11 am and I did not want to spend too long driving to the destination.  Thus, I went to Doi Suthep Pui next to Chiang Mai town.

 Doi Inthanon National Park

I did not go to the peak and visited those spots in the lower valleys.  Unfortunately, early March seemed not the best season for butterfly.  At least, it was far better in late March 2013.

Chiang Dao Cave Area

Chiang Dao Cave area remained one of the best spot in this trip.  Compare to March 2013 trip, there were fewer butterflies, but it was bar better than the December 2013 trip.  I could still find swamp of butterflies pudding in the place but the scale was not up to the level I saw last year.  It was fair because the weather would be getting hotter and hotter in the month.