Chiang Mai Day 3

After breakfast we decided to explore the eateries around our hotel for authentic tomyam for surely a visit to Thailand would be incomplete without sampling tomyam in its native land. Much to our delight, we found several Halal restaurants in Anusarn Market, which is about 200 meters from our hotel, and all of them have tomyam on their menu. Satisfied with our survey, we returned to the hotel to rest.

Close to 9.30 am, we hailed a songtaew to Robinson's, the local mall which is located near the Airport. The mall opened at 11am, so it was a long wait outside the mall until we grew hot and sweaty. It was a relief when they opened the doors. We did some shopping and returned to the hotel for Zuhur before going back to Anusarn for lunch. 

We settled on a Chinese Muslim eatery and quickly set to order garoupa, steamed crab, seafood tomyam, omelette, broccoli and white rice. The tomyam was especially explosive followed by the steamed crab. Suffice to say, we cleaned up the plates save the bones. The bill came close to RM100 which was graciously settled by Sayyida. Thank you sistah.

Our original plan was to go the Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden, but we digressed to the massage centre. The fee for most types of massage/therapy was about half the price charged in Malaysia; between 180-200Baht. That's RM18-RM20 per hour. So, Zack and I signed up immediately for a half-hour reflexology session. We quickly realised that a half-hour was not going to be effective, so we extended to a full hour. Soon Ros joined in. Sayyida decided to skip the activity and returned to the hotel.

Zack's masseur who was the most fluent in English amongst her team-mates kept Zack and l entertained with her stories interspersed with a smattering of Malay words like Sedap? Sakit? Mahu? Tak Mahu? Ros went to sleep immediately after she settled in the recliner, and the massage lady began to work on her feet. The session was tremendous, so all three of us made an appointment for another session later that night. Fed and relaxed, we settled for a siesta in bed. I napped the longest.

Night time, we went to Anusarn for more shopping. Mid-way, we heard the sound of explosives. Above the canopies, up in the sky there was a display of fireworks. I asked one vendor lady what was happening. She said there was a government function, but methinks it's the work of some Americans celebrating 4th of July.

Bright lights inside and outside Anusarn night market.

We had to cut short our shopping for our 9 pm appointment at the massage centre. This time all three of us chose back, neck, hand and head massage. No oil was applied, as this was a Thai traditional massage. Suffice to say, it was another enjoyable experience. Something that I would repeat. I attest to the skill of my masseur as I didn't get blue black marks on my body, and I felt great afterwards.

The next day, we caught the 9 am flight back to LCCT and thus marked the end of our 3-day-3-night free and easy vacation in Chiang Mai.  Big up to Sayyida, Rosnah and Thai Zaikiah (tee hee) for being such agreeable travel companions.