Chiang Mai
 

We're going to be in Chiang Mai in July. Pls. don't tell us we're nuts. Has anyone stayed at the River View Lodge?

I stayed at the River View Lodge both in July, 1998, and July, 1999, and would not stay any place else in Chiang Mai. Get a room on the second floor overlooking the garden and the river, if you can. There is a nice, small pool---more of a "plunge pool," the African safari folks would call it, rather than a lap pool. The River View has a nice snack bar for breakfast (included) and lunch. You can get beverages and snacks, on the honor system, at later times of the day. Contact me, if you wish to know more. You are not at all crazy for going in July. In fact, one evening last July, there was a terrific brief rain shower, which made me feel as though I was really in the tropics. Being at the River View makes me feel liberated. P

Penelope, what a great response! You've really made me feel good about our wanting to stay there. <BR> <BR>Our adult daughter is traveling wiht us and the River View says they can put an extra bed in the room -- overlooking the river, as you suggest. Will there be room to turn around in the room? <BR> <BR>We wanted to ride up to Mae Hong Mon to visit a Karen village. Do you think we need to stay overnight up there or can we come back to Chiang Mai? Unfortunately, we only have about four days in the area.

Mae Hong Son is in a valley across the mountains from Chiang Mai. It is eight hours by bus from CM. With your schedule you would have to fly. There's a daily 35 minute flight with Thai. Cost is around $40 I think. There are plenty of tour agencies for visits to Karen villages. The trip is well worthwhile, but you would really have to stay overnight to get the most out of it.

Sue: Sorry to have taken so long to respond to your last inquiry; I've been away. Concerning three beds in your room at River View, it will be a little crowded, but doable. Concerning Mae Hong Son, I drove there last July. The road is narrow, steep (going up), and very winding. I was by myself and driving on the left for the first time in a year or more, so I was slightly terrified going, but much more relaxed returning. With your short time, flying is the only sensible course. Make contact with someone in Mae Hong Son before you go, however, so that your program is all worked out and you can hike to see some villages. Still, I am not sure that this is feasible for you. Maybe I didn't spend long enough in Mae Hong Son to appreciate the place and I did not do any hiking, but the attraction of the place escapes me. I like the area north (rather than northwest) of Chiang Mai better.P