After hearing favourable comments from friends about trips to Chiang Mai, we decided to organize one just before Chinese New Year 2014.
This time, we decided to do it differently. First we purchased our air tickets online, pre-booked the hotels. Then for the local tour, we searched through the internet to look for a good local tour agent. After comparing prices, we decided to go for "Chiang Mai Marvel Travel" run by one chap called Dave. The good thing about him was that he was receptive to our requirement and responded to our email within two hours after we sent it out. His efficiency impressed me.
For four of us, we were given the exclusive use of an 8-seat van, a driver and an English speaking tour guide. We were picked up the minute we landed at Chiang Mai Airport and were picked up from our hotel and sent back to board the departing flight at the final day of our trip. Overall. we were satisfied with the service of this tour agent. However, a word of caution, this tour agent tends to be pro-red rather than pro-yellow in the on-going political tussle between the two major groups in Bangkok. Places promoted by the pro-royalist tour agents are likely to be avoided by this tour agent. Instead, tourists are more likely led to attractions that would contribute to the well being of the rural masses.
We spent two nights at Chiang Rai and two nights at Chiang Mai. At Chiang Rai, we stayed at Nak Nakara Hotel which is situated near to Chiang Rai Airport. Walking Street and Night Bazaar are all within walking distance. The hotel setting particularly the central courtyard reminded me of Barahineban hostel Paul once stayed in the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Nak Nakara Hotel
Barahineban, University of Newcastle, Australia.
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