Hotels out of town in Chiang Mai
Jul 23rd, 2008, 02:23 PM
#1
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Hotels out of town in Chiang Mai
I'm looking at the Horizon Village $62 a night for a superior room inclusive, with breakfast.
http://tinyurl.com/5nf9xm
Want to be out of town, in a nice environment with a pool, spa and restaurant on premises.
Any other recommendations, based on the above criteria?
Also are we still emailing Ratt to book with Poon? Any other recommendations for a driver? No need to see the sights. I have a list of shops I want to go to.
http://tinyurl.com/5nf9xm
Want to be out of town, in a nice environment with a pool, spa and restaurant on premises.
Any other recommendations, based on the above criteria?
Also are we still emailing Ratt to book with Poon? Any other recommendations for a driver? No need to see the sights. I have a list of shops I want to go to.
Jul 23rd, 2008, 06:29 PM
#3
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Lori, I'm guessing you're looking for crafts (esp. weaving). We used a taxi driver in CM who was just wonderful. He was persistent about finding out of the way shops for us. (The one with the Akha textiles was a real challenge). Let me know if you need info on finding him or the Akha textiles place. The details are in my report on Penang, Chiang Mai and Bangkok from 2006.
Jul 24th, 2008, 02:52 PM
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Yes Kathie we will specifically be looking for the akha textiles. I will try to dig up your report. Thanks for the heads up.
And yes Bob, I think the army is suggesting long weekends at Preah Vihear instead.....
And yes Bob, I think the army is suggesting long weekends at Preah Vihear instead.....
Jul 24th, 2008, 07:19 PM
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Lori, Here are the relevant sections of my report:
We found an excellent driver, Mr. Nakron Buthluang, who drives Taxi No. 75. You can reach him on his cell phone at 08-1884-5649. He charges 250 baht an hour. The trip to Doi Suthep is 800 baht. He drove us to Royal Flora and picked us up as well for 250 baht each way. He was great. His English was pretty good, we had no problems communicating. He was persistent in tracking down the little shops we wanted to visit. One was especially hard to find, but he persisted and did find it. He was born and raised in CM and he couldn’t stand the idea that there was a place he couldn’t find. I recommend him highly.
The real find of this trip was The Golden Triangle. It was hard to find! Our driver (who could actually read the Nancy Chandler map, and my printing!) was very persistent. We were all triumphant when he found it. But the gate was closed and locked (it was after 5:30). Not to be deterred, he called the phone number and the owner came out and let us in. The Nancy Chandler book says no English is spoken but that is not true. The owner is an Akha woman who was married to a Dutch anthropologist for many years (he is now deceased). Sales of the textiles benefit the Akha women who make the items. She does have old Akha textiles from time to time. We were able to buy several old pieces as well as some new pieces. The items are really unusual. We didn’t see anything like them anywhere else. The owner is a wealth of information about the textiles. We talked for quite a while, and she pointed out that many of the new needlework pieces are done on modern synthetics, as it is less expensive. We bought a number of pieces made from local cottons and dyed with natural dyes. She can tell you which pieces use which techniques and what the various motifs mean. Note that she takes NO CREDIT CARDS. Bring cash!
We found an excellent driver, Mr. Nakron Buthluang, who drives Taxi No. 75. You can reach him on his cell phone at 08-1884-5649. He charges 250 baht an hour. The trip to Doi Suthep is 800 baht. He drove us to Royal Flora and picked us up as well for 250 baht each way. He was great. His English was pretty good, we had no problems communicating. He was persistent in tracking down the little shops we wanted to visit. One was especially hard to find, but he persisted and did find it. He was born and raised in CM and he couldn’t stand the idea that there was a place he couldn’t find. I recommend him highly.
The real find of this trip was The Golden Triangle. It was hard to find! Our driver (who could actually read the Nancy Chandler map, and my printing!) was very persistent. We were all triumphant when he found it. But the gate was closed and locked (it was after 5:30). Not to be deterred, he called the phone number and the owner came out and let us in. The Nancy Chandler book says no English is spoken but that is not true. The owner is an Akha woman who was married to a Dutch anthropologist for many years (he is now deceased). Sales of the textiles benefit the Akha women who make the items. She does have old Akha textiles from time to time. We were able to buy several old pieces as well as some new pieces. The items are really unusual. We didn’t see anything like them anywhere else. The owner is a wealth of information about the textiles. We talked for quite a while, and she pointed out that many of the new needlework pieces are done on modern synthetics, as it is less expensive. We bought a number of pieces made from local cottons and dyed with natural dyes. She can tell you which pieces use which techniques and what the various motifs mean. Note that she takes NO CREDIT CARDS. Bring cash!
Jul 24th, 2008, 07:34 PM
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I second the recommendation for the Golden Triangle for Akha textiles. Have your driver call a couple of days ahead as she usually will accommadate your request. She is a delightful woman and very knowledgable. She also has some CD that show the Akha way of life. Another store with lots of hilltribe textiles is Faitong. It is located off Fabric St by the Warowat market. You walk from Taepae St toward Warowat market and you will see a small soi to your left with hilltribe people selling their items on that street. Faitongs is the last store on the right. The lady can be a little offish, but the girls who help you can take you all around the stores. Yes, she does have several floors and stores. Quite an experience!
Jul 24th, 2008, 07:57 PM
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Thanks Kathie and Stitch for these recommendations. Adding to my list. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can find and learning more about the art.
Do either of you know about any weaving villages of interest in the area?
Do either of you know about any weaving villages of interest in the area?
Jul 24th, 2008, 08:15 PM
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Offwego,
If you email me at [email protected], I can give you more names. Let me know what you are interested in knowing. When will you be there? I will be in Thailand Aug 6-27.
If you email me at [email protected], I can give you more names. Let me know what you are interested in knowing. When will you be there? I will be in Thailand Aug 6-27.
