The Golden Bell Hotel is pretty terrific! We booked it based on the reviews on Trip Advisor and they were more than correct. It is a block from the old city and has about 30 rooms. We are on the 2nd floor and liked our room so much asked to have back. The front desk ladies all speak excellent English and even laughed at B's jokes. Jenny is our favorite and she helped us at the tailors across the street as we ordered some custom sewing for B and others.
The room is large enough and has a terrific shower, which was our first desire after the Elephant Nature Park. Even the maid is great - we threw our dirty clothes on the floor in a pile and she folded them!! lol! Breakfast is included in the $50/night fee and what a feast! Bacon and eggs to order are "demonstrated" on the outdoor grill, there is all kinds of breads for toast, fruits, vegetables, soups and pancakes or french toast! There is even a cappuccino machine! The pool and jacuzzi are inviting, however too cold for us to use - the only negative about this place.
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| the balcony of the common area in front of our room on 2nd floor |
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| the maid makes towel animals! |
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| and folds our dirty laundry! |
Breakfast pics:
Chiang Mai is a lovely city with its canal, old wall and temples all around. We have stayed 5 days on our return from elephant camp and have basically been relaxing. Massages daily, of course, the night markets, and eating - nothing too exciting. We did go to the zoo for a Night Safari, but it turned out to be shows with animals "trained" to perform - a bit like Sea World with "lions & tigers & no bears, oh my!" After being at the Elephant Nature Park and learning how they starve and abuse performing animals, I was sorry to have gone. It's a decent operation, but the animals looked hungry and had to literally jump thru hoops to get food... Also we took 2 different tram rides thru the park and some of the animals are hand fed by the tourists so they are no longer afraid of the people. I admit it is amazing to be face to face with a giraffe but sad too... A real safari in Africa is 200% better...
Today we went to Tesco, sort of a cross between Costco and Wal-Mart. B went to the food isles and I meandered the rest of the store. It was a fun tuk-tuk ride and interesting shopping. Tomorrow we head back to Bangkok and are off to Australia in 2 days - will write again from there. have a great day today and a better one tomorrow.
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| B and Thai "boys on a bench" |
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| B in Tesco |
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| well dragons! |
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| they really do ride on the scooter! |
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| the best thing at Night Safari |
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| see the 20 on the red signs? It is the 20 Baht store! Like Everything's a Dollar, but cheaper! And it's all made in Thailand! lol |
