金琦之旅 Amazing Voyage: Thailand Day 2 : Doi Tung Mae Fa Lung (Hall of Inspiration - Garden - Royal Villa - Arboretum)

0830 - We had the breakfast at the stall near to the bus terminal 1. We also booked the bus ticket to Chiang Mai tomorrow. We bought the 10:40am first class bus which cost 166B/person.

Fried Noodle with pork, 35B

0900 - Rent the motorbike from the hostel. The model is Honda Click 125 and the rental fee is 250B for 24 hours. The lady said that mostly the motorbike deposit will take cash instead of passport. The deposit is 3000B.

The blue color Honda Click 125, 250B for 24 hours. the motorbike condition is very good

0930 - Departed to Doi Tung which is 50km from our hostel. The road condition is like Malaysia which is flat and sometime have potholes. There are so many traffic light along this journey. At the intersection to turn to Doi Tung, there were road block by the policemen. We were called to stop and off the engine at the road side. I asked the local and they said is the King. Hence, the policemen were escorting the very important person. When i wanted to take the photo with phone, the policeman told me that cannot took the photo. It was really a very important person travelled to the south. Near to the Doi Tung which is a hilly road, we rode another way which is very steep but it was actually closed. Maybe there are landslide. Hence we had to go another way which is longer but not that steep.

1130 - Reached the Doi Tung Entrance. There were so many locals and cars. We bought the combination ticket of 4 attractions which are Hall of Inspiration, Mae Fa Lung Garden, Doi Tung Royal Villa and Mae Fa Lung Arboretum.

Only motorbike parking is allowed near to the entrance. Car need to park further away and took the free songthaew

Nice decorative

Ticket price. We got the student prices. Finally we got to use the ISIC.

First we visited the Hall of Inspiration. This hall introduce the Mahidol family which is the Royal Family. This hall also decribe the life and contribution of each member of the family. We spent arounf 45 minutes visit this hall.

Mahidol Family Chart

Before 1988, Doi Tung was an opium field

The Princess Mother contribute a lot to the Doi Tung community

Next, we visited the Mae Fa Lung Garden. It is like theme park garden. There are many kinds of flowers. We took a lot of photos. After that, we had our meal at the stall just at the exit of the Mae Fa Lung Garden.

Sticky rice with fried pork, 30B

View to the Mae Fa Lung Garden

Pizza yaki, 40B

Sticky rice in bamboo, 20B

1330 - We visited the Royal Villa. This include the audio tour which has 22 stops. The visitors are not allow to take the photo inside the villa. We spent a 1.5 hour in the villa. As the 0 is the introduction of the Mahidol family again. But this time, we got the clear understanding of the family and which is the king. In this villa, it has the Princess Mother quarters and hers daughter quarters. The villa is a swiss style. With the audio tour, we knew the architecture story behind this villa for every walls, ceiling and balconies. We also understood about theirs daily life and hobbies.

The royall villa

Found another type of orchid

The entrance to the villa. The audio tour is included.

Very unique villa style

View from the in front of the villa!

The frequency of the free songthaew to Arboretum is one hour. Hence, we rode there ourselves.

1500 - We rode to the Mae Fa Lung Arboretum which is 9km away from the Doi Tung Main area. It is a hilly road. The arboretum has more flower and plant species of higher altitude. It is more like a wildlife garden.

Entrance to Arboretum

Is a kind of fruit?

A very greenish grass

Sakura?

1600 - Rode down the hill and back to the Chiang Rai town.

1730 - We reached Chiang Rai Flower Festival. This festical were recommended by our hostel owner. The location is at the Thung and Khome Garden (Name in Maps.me) It is free admission. There are souvenir stalls and food stall just outside of the garden. This garden has many well decorated flowers include the famous Tulip, lily etc. In coincidence, today is the first day of the flower festival. There are many performances. We had fun here until 8:30pm.