Chiang Mai (Part 2)
After Chiang Rai we returned to Chiang Mai looking to have some down time to get ready for our trip to Myanmar. First we spent a week east of the Old City, and then we spent a few days on the west side of Chiang Mai, closer to the airport.
Our east side stay was at a homey Airbnb 2-story two bedroom house on a quiet street. All to ourselves with a very stocked kitchen we did plenty of cooking and it was a taste of a “normal” life — or maybe normal Western lifestyle. We kept it pretty simple and didn’t do too much, mostly exploring some local spots, parks, river walks, a remote resort where you could pay to use the pool. Then we packed up and moved to the next spot.
Rajapruek
Actually before we went to Chiang Rai, we had spent a week in the western part of Chiang Mai, between the mountains and the airport. During that stay we learned about the nearby Royal Park Rajapruek. The park has a simple hotel on one side, and if you stay there you get free tickets to the park. So that’s where we spent a few days.
Coming out of cocoons in the bug exhibit
Hydroponics in a greenhouse
It’s a very large park (~200 acres), and doesn’t seem to be widely known because it’s a bit far from central Chiang Mai. Part of it is much like a botanical garden, with flower gardens (a famous orchid garden, this is the main reason people come to Rajapruek), a giant heirloom tomato trellis tunnel, and lot of stuff for curious kids. There also lots of agricultural projects nearby, and some of that is sold at their on-site produce store.
Beauties in the orchid garden
More orchids
Tomato tunnel
The gardens also have an international pavilion. These are a collection of self-contained gardens, each one created in the style of (or inspired by) a country — Kenya, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Qatar, etc. — about 30 altogether. These mini gardens serve as a prelude to the large royal Thai pavilion, a reminder that the entire park was built in the honor of (now deceased) king in 2006.
Royal Pavilion (exterior)
Royal Pavilion (interior)