Quick Report From Chiang Mai
 

I'm in Chiang Mai for Loi Krathong - and my birthday (wow - I'm another Nov. 7!!) with friends.

We spent the day yesterday at Royal Flora Ratchapruek. Quite beautiful, and for us anyway, too much to see in one day. The Royal Pavilion, which is sort of the northern Thai centerpiece of the entire exhibition, is exquisite. We also really enjoyed the international exhibits and the orchids.

If you're planing on attending, you might want to consider skipping all the Sponsor Gardens, which is what you'll pass through first. We wished we had skipped these (or at leat saved them for the end) and used our energy to see more of the larger exhibits.

We didn't stay for the water show, which I've heard is very beautiful (bring insect repellent!)

There also was an interesting market-like set up as you exit with what looked like lots of interesting shopping. Unfortunately, we were too worn out by that point.

Was not too crowded, and getting there by shuttle bus from the train station was easy and took about 30 minutes. We retuned by taxi/van - there were dozens of them waiting at the exit.

Had my birthday dinner at Chedi Restaurant, which was incredibly beautiful, overlooking the river. Food was excellent - only complaint was not as spicy as I like.

Weather is quite nice here - highs in mid 80s and not too humid.

Happy Birthday to all you other Nov. 7 Scorpios!

Thanks for the report, John, from another Nov 7 birthday. We bought multi-days tickets to the Royal Flora. I'm thinking of going there several mornings. We are especially interested in the orchids.

We may try the Chedi - and ask them to turn up the spice!

Happy birthday to you. I'm another November 7th birthday. I will be in Chiang Mai in 6 weeks and am interested in having a look at the floral displays. Thanks for the report.

we were in CM for LK last year and LOVED it, a very special memory for us

Happy birthday to all the other Nov 7 people. I'm one too!! There's something very special about 11-07, I'd say!

I spent my birthday in Zurich, shopping the Bahnhofstrasse!

Enjoy your time in Chiang Mai. I've never been to Loi Krathong but would love to make it there sometime.

Carol

Loi Krathong in Chiang Mai was wonderful! It seemed like the entire city came out to celebrate. There was a LONG parade with amazing floats (lots of water imagery) and costumes.

Thousands of iluminated paper lanterns floating up into the sky on the nights of the 6th and 7th.

You did really need to stay on your toes (literally) as people were setting off firecrackers in the streets left and right - I saw a guy get hit in the foot just in front of me.

oops, that should "on be the nights of the 5th and 6th..."