Chiang Mai, Thailand: Night Bazaar

Starting at 6PM and ends at 12MN, the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar is definitely a must visit for tourists when they visit the wonderful Chiang Mai. With fancy lights, beautiful souvenirs, bags, t-shirts, gift items, tea, Thai clothes, thai food and massage areas, one would really enjoy his/her visit.

It will take you a lot of time to go around and look for stuff and personally, I think six hours is not enough to see all the displays. It will be very tiring to walk around for hours but, there are many massage stalls around the area if you feel like taking a break for a while.  

When we entered the "gate"(picture below), we were surprised by the many stalls inside. There are also restaurants that offer a wide variety of selection, bars, and street foods aside from the usual products they sell. Since the food they serve in the restaurants inside the Market are expensive, we went to McDonald's instead before we continued with our shopping.

The picture above is the area where they sell the products at a more affordable price. Same products as the ones being sold at the front area but they sell it cheaper at that area. Of course, you still need a little charm so that you can haggle well with the vendors. :)

 A lot of tourist were buying this(I think this is fried ice cream) so I also tried. They sell different flavors but this one is what enticed me the most. It costs around 80-90 baht each :)

I'm not usually taking pictures of the stalls but I took a picture of this stall because I appreciate how intricate the details are in their products. I didn't buy one though since I'm a practical girl. I only buy a product if I'll be using it someday. :D


Night Market thingy
1. Haggle. A friend told me that you start the haggle at half the price the seller told you.
2. If you're on a budget, it's better to eat at McDonald's which is around 50meters away or any stall that sell street food around if you're looking for an authentic thai dish.
3. Some close at around 12MN but some stalls close at as early as 11. I guess it is better to do all your  shopping before 11PM.
4. Try thai massage. It's only 180baht per hour. Totally worth it!

2014 Chunkster Challenge

This the third time I have attempted this challenge and this year its a little more relaxed, not that I minded having a bit of a nudge for this challenge, but sometimes its nice to take a bit more of a relaxed approach.  That being said, I am a person that needs goals, so I am going to state the chunksters that I wish to read.

But before I state which ones I am going to attempt to finish this year, here are a few rules:

• Audio books and e-books are now allowed. You want to listen to a chunkster on audio? Be my guest. 
• Essay, short story, and poetry collections are allowed but they have to be read in their entirety to count.
• Books may crossover with other challenges.
• Anyone can join.
• You don’t have to list your book ahead of time.
• Graphic novels don’t count. Sorry guys but reading a chunkster graphic novel isn’t the same as reading a non-graphic chunkster.

You can find more information here: http://chunksterchallenge.blogspot.ca/2013/12/2014-chunkster-challenge-sign-ups.html

Remember that the book has to be 450 pages or more and can be adult or YA, just not a graphic novel.

BELOW are the books I attempt to read:

Divergent by Veronica Roth
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Hornet Flight by Ken Follet

and 10 more books. Most of my books are not at least 450 pages and I've already read the books with more than 450 pages so I guess I have to start looking for books I'll read soon. :)

This is my first time to join this so I'm really excited! This challenge will definitely revive the bookworm in me :)

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Starbucks

A self-confessed coffee addict and a loyal Starbucks customer, my eyes sparkled like how a kid's eyes sparkle when they see a shop full of chocolates when I saw a Starbucks sign while walking one Saturday morning.

This Starbucks is located conveniently. It is also near the second-hand bookstores so, after buying books, it's really nice to relax and sip some coffee and read the book you just bought. :) This Starbucks is three-storeys so there's enough space for a lot of people

With 500baht left in my wallet after purchasing Brida by Coelho, Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes and a Grisham book, I decided to give myself a treat after a long walk and a long book search.

What I appreciate the most is that it has a great ambiance for a person who would like to just read or write or study because it is not that crowded.

The Devil and Miss Prym

second floor of Starbucks. I was alone.

I read around 40-50 pages of the book and I stayed for a while before I left. I love how friendly the staff are and how helpful they are on whatever things you need.

Although there is also a Starbucks near Le Meridien where our conference was held, Chiang Mai Night Bazaar where I was at every night, and Rux Thai Guest House where I stayed, I still chose this because of it's ambiance. The one near the night bazaar is not that spacious and is always crowded.