Review: Chiangmai Bupatara Hotel

I managed to get myself a standard guest room for 3 nights at ChiangMai Bupatara Hotel through Agoda.com.

ChiangMai Bupatara Hotel 

Alley or small lane

I had to go down the alley or small lane to reach ChiangMai Bupatara Hotel, which scared me especially at nights.

Plus, airport taxi, Tut Tut and tour bus had the trouble to find ChiangMai Bupatara Hotel.

Thankfully I printed ChiangMai Bupatara Hotel address in Thais and the airport taxi driver who knew the way. Tour bus certainly took longer times to search for us.

check-in process

However, I surprised to see the front desk associate potentially greeted and welcomed me. The check-in process was pretty quick.

So, front desk associate asked if my sister was “XXXX”, which of course she said yes to. My sister quickly filled-in the check-in information, passport details and front desk associate handed the key.

I accepted the facilitation of the front desk associate in transporting the luggage to the guestroom. This was because flight of stairs waited on the way to the guest room. Again, I really did not keen on taking lots of luggage up the stairs.

I was genuinely grateful!

 Dining area

Swimming pool 

While getting to the room, I found ChiangMai Bupatara Hotel was quite small. I could see facilities and amenities- dining area, swimming pool, garden and gorgeous Buddha statues within one glance. I did like them.

My first impression for the guest room-worn out and old. I couldn’t stand their designs and decorations. Anyway, it worth the price I paid. It had everything I needed. But I must say I did not love the mattress as it was hard. I couldn’t have deep and restorative sleep throughout my stay.

Additionally, I didn’t find any coffee, tea sachets and kettles although I seldom use them in the hotel room. I knew some readers needed them very much and couldn’t live without them. It luckily provided two free bottle waters.

It worth to note that there were enough hangers in the wardrobe or closet. Conversely, the remote control of air-conditioner not worked out. It sucked to manually adjust the air-conditioner temperatures. 

Also, free WIFI was available. The WIFI is easy to use and worked fabulously. I had no issues using the free WIFI.

The room had less power sockets. I didn’t use them as I forgot to bring universal charger. If there was a need, it’s advisable to unplug the television and fridge’s power sockets. Bathroom and washbasins were separated, just the way I liked it. Both of them had proper and consistent water pressure.

 Bathrom 

Washbasin 

Bathroom amenities-2 bath towels, shower and shampoo gel and toilet papers were ready. But it excluded hairdryer, toothbrush and toothpaste. Seriously, shower and shampoo gel were not replenished. I ended up using my own body and hair shampoo while I didn’t remind them.

Ala-carte American breakfast 

Ala-carte type made up with American breakfast was served on 7.00am -10.00am. I was given a small tick sheet and chose what I desired. Choices of scramble eggs, fried eggs, omelets, toast, ham and sausages were offered. The breakfast was good to fill our stomach as we rushed to join the tour.

I really had the bad experience on the day before we left. It went like this:

The first thing in the hotel room I did after joining the whole day tour-took shower. My sister who was the first took shower told me the water pressure was extremely weak. Her body not wet entirely and so did the shampoo applying. I thus tried to check the washbasin and found out the water flow was good and strong. I ignored and desperately wanted to take shower. 

By the time I switched on the shower, it came out few drops of water which completely destroyed my taking shower hope. I immediately complained with the front desk associate. They told me most of the rooms like you and tomorrow will be fine. I further asked how should I going to take shower that night. They shut my mouth by allocating a room, two doors next to my room to take shower. That room in fact no water. Because of physically and mentally exhausted, I simply used the bottled water to wash my body and prayed the water pressure went back to normal. 

Nevertheless, the water still not worked yet in the next day morning. My sister hence negotiated with the front desk associate about late check out with no charge. The front desk associate could not make the decision and the manager decided. In the meantime, front desk associate switched on the back up water but the waters were in black colors. It was found out after that the water basin could use so I use the glass to take bath. 

Never in my life staying in the hotel by using such ridiculous way to take bath. I was so upset the way they handled the water issue.

Chiangmai Bupatara Hotel

Address: Phra Pok Klao Rd Soi 4, Thesaban Nakhon Chiang Mai, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Musings and Thoughts of Road Trips to Kuching

Update on **18-20 July 2017**

My family scheduled a short gateway to Kuching. All of us excitedly helped Rosamond choose her first house in lifetime.

Kuching road trip's Uber driver, Papa smiled through the window.

popular stopover along the way to Kuching-Lachau. 

It's noticed that smoked and salted fishes were everywhere in the daily market Lachau 

Fruits and gingers 

She found herself received PR1MA house’s purchasing invitation email. As the “orang kampung”, this was the perfect investment.

Having a house in big city-Kuching brought so much convenient to us. We didn’t have to “tumpang” relatives. No such need to rent room or house in the future.

The benefits were endless if counting.

On the side note, sisterhood drove Mama visited eldest auntie as Kuching road trip’s first order. If no other tasks to do, Mama could stayed with eldest auntie all night long chatting and unwind.

To my horror, eldest auntie started interrogating me.

“Ah Jing, do you have boyfriend?”

”Nope”.

I just responded with a smile. This question happened every year. Maybe they wondered when I’ll settle down.

“Ah Jing, you’re old”

While I hoped this topic over very soon, this question was fired at me again. In fact, this question got me mad. I just ignored it but couldn’t stop thinking what eldest auntie said.

It’s so insulting especially in front of her friend although it could be a casual question. I’ll tie the knot if I met the right life partner.

It’s relatively easy to find someone to marry. But “falling head over heels” with the other gender inappropriate for me.

As I got older, I aware my own values, beliefs and what I wanted. If I was not careful in selecting the right life partner, I had to face the consequences.

I became inflexible and unable to negotiate with those values and beliefs.

Mama was open-minded type. I knew she will accept my bachelor status and wished me happily lead the single lives if I could find the right life partner.

Moving to better things, elder uncle-father’s elder brother took us to Rock Road Seafood Restaurant Kuching for dinner.

It’s halal certified. The youngest cousin converted to Muslim and embraced Islam. I’m truly happy for her as her conversion journey quite smooth when came to family acceptance.

Elder uncle, elder auntie and other cousins were tolerant and forgiving beyond my expectation. So, elder auntie wouldn’t cook pork in home and had halal meats for meals. 

These gestures really touched. They taught me one thing: ❤❤❤❤❤❤

“love indeed showed in action-a powerful action word”. 

Highlight of the day: Satay crabs & breads. 

The flesh crabs was incredible sweet, rich and creamy. Whereas, the satay sauce well coated the crabs, not overly sweet.

Since I didn’t want to dirty my hands, I only ate crab leg. The worst part was the waiters not help us in opening the crabs.  This included tools.

The service was unbearably slow. It’s annoying because I had waited for 1 hour. Since patience was not my strength, I requested the supervisor restaurant to speed up the cooking process.

4 dishes were served. Also, it took 40 minutes to serve the last few dishes. In the meantime, we’re full.

That night meal worked out RM 300, which was reasonable based on what we ordered. Anyway, I was not fond their slow service.

Google image 

Rosamond reached Kuching International Airport around 10.30pm. We happily welcomed her by coming earlier to Kuching International Airport.

There was no sense of excitement whenever I viewed Kuching International Airport. Instead, worriedness and anxiety appeared.

It was compulsory for spending 6 hours to Kuching International Airport from hometown. Similar times and energy were used if I back to hometown.

Tired, oh so tired I told you. Figuring out the poor road conditions shattered, misaligned every inch of my bones and spines. The road journey was the massive pain.  

Padawan community hall, Kuching

PR1MA House open day visit. As Papa’s peer said “lack of people interested to buy PR1MA House. The size damn small anyway”.

We laughed it off. It was so crowded at PR1MA House open day visit.

To cut story short, we cancelled our plan to purchase PR1MA House. PR1MA Houses were not the affordable housing.

brown colors of the floor plan-RM 235,000 per unit house

A price tag of RM 235,000 per unit house (i.e single storey terrace houses) was limited. It is not easy to get it after all.

The rest of the unit houses (i.e middle and front lot of double storey houses) were within the range of RM300,000-RM400,000.

It’s overpriced and costly. In fact, it was no differences with the houses developed by private developers.

Although the PR1MA House policy stated no down payment and legal documents housing fees, it still severely unaffordable.

Approximation of monthly installment 

Purchasing PR1MA House cost Rosamond arm and leg. HAHAHAHAHAHA. She wouldn’t going anywhere for vacation and looked into branded clothes anymore.

Thankfully this had not happened!❤❤❤❤❤❤

Mama didn’t want her to suffer. It maybe suitable if her income increased in the future. OK. See you PR1MA House!

I always managed to buy something if I travelled. No exception to Kuching. Skechers GoWalk4. Really loved GoWalk4’s comfort.

At Kuching food festival 2017. Youngest sister, Mickey threw a tantrum if we not came. We not dare to say anything. Mickey was the driver, important position of the road journey.

We couldn’t go anywhere when driver refuse to work. LOL. We not bought many foods from Kuching food festival 2017.

We just “look see, look see, look see”. She had the big gap with us-old bunch of people. HAHAHAHA. Mickey commented us:

“Not good going to Kuching food festival 2017 with old bunch of people”

“Where got people buy Nyonya kuih, Muachi at Kuching food festival 2017 like elder uncle”

“How can go Kuching food festival 2017 not eat meat skewers, sushi, cheese tart.”

“Papa even worst want to eat steam corns”

We departed in next day early morning. These wrapped up my musing and thoughts for road trip to Kuching. 

Oops, before we rest, we washed our beloved Mr Innova. 

Incoherent Post

It's past few days' updates.

My first time having Arab basil seeds with strawberry juice drink. It was in fact liked drinking pearl milk tea but with many bites. Very refreshing. 

Arab dessert-sweet, rich and creamy. It was stuffed with cheese, soaked with sweet syrups, topped with powdered sugar and shredded coconuts.

It’s so sweet and really excited my taste buds. 

River turned to ice tea colors especially heavy pouring. The river waters moved very fast, they seemed roaring without the ends.

I could stay, for long time watching. 

University Hari Raya open house. More dorm room neighbors joined this year university Hari Raya open house.

Good for remembrance. We all not sure whether incoming semester we could meet each other. 

Deer rendang & ketupat palas

It was so crowded as last year.

Hari Raya open house dish I looked forward –deer rendang and ketupat palas, chicken satay. “Diet” never crossed my mind at that moment. The dishes were not good for the waistline. 

“Eat first, think later, exercise never”

By the way, I had the great times in the presence of good foods and company. 

It’s so true.

Research was not the straight line. It was a curve line instead. There will be failures, setbacks and finally achieve success. Not that easy after all. 

I back home previous week. With family at the favorite breakfast spot, Laksa Nio. 

Me: "I want to dine out for breakfast tomorrow".

Mama: "But tomorrow I’m vegetarian. We dine out the day after tomorrow".

In conclusion, Mama changed tremendously, keen on hanging out with her daughters. 

Car learning progress: learnt to park the car but not passed yet.

Driving instructor aka younger sister, Mickey always said, 

“aduh mah, aduh mah, aduh mah, aduh mah, aduh mah, aduh mah, aduh mah”, aduh mah, aduh mah, aduh mah".

I felt she wanted to faint each time taught me.

She addressed me as the “3^rd times standard lang”. The story was I parked the car perfectly and nicely in home’s car park for 3^rd times. When came to 4^th, 5^th, 6^th time, it appeared opposite. 

Relative toddlers.

I couldn’t stand with the toddlers. Aaaargh!!!

Their screaming, shouting, running around, bouncing each other made me wanted to throw them away from my home. That sound horrible, didn’t?

Where do toddlers got their energy?  Isn’t I bottled their energy for my own use?

Me: "Why you slash down calendar dates?"

Mama: "Counting down the day Mickey will back home".

(Mama actually dreaded Mickey going home. She wished every day disappeared soon). 

Hotel Review: Seree Grand Resort, Hatyai

Since Seree Grand Resort Hatyai very near to the Hatyai International Airport, I had just checked into it. I took early morning flight to Chiang Mai.

It’s in the country side, I spend 130 Baht for using Tut Tut to come here from downtown area. Tut Tut driver carried intense and miserable look while searching Seree Grand Resort, Hatyai.

He constantly checked the Seree Grand Resort address I had given to him. I believed he never sent people to Seree Grand Resort, Hatyai.

Fortunately, I reached and in a glimpse, not much to see around Seree Grand Resort. No seven-eleven and shopping mall nearby. 

Seree Grand Resort, Hatyai 

I was then welcomed and greeted by a lady. The check-in process did in the quick way by signing the room check-in form and submitting room deposit.  

Also, I confirmed with the lady in relation to the next day’s airport transfer. After that, a bellboy escorted me to the guest room while unloading the suitcases.

The bellboy did the good job in placing the suitcases in the guest room as assigned by the front desk and assisted me to find the air-conditioner and television remote control.

Standard room

Upon walked into the guest room for the first time, I couldn’t help but noticed how spacious it was. It’s beyond the price I was paying. It was actually spacious enough to accommodate extra seating spaces and sofa next to the bed.

Other outstanding element of the room aside from the size was the individual car park attached to the room. The guests and Seree Grand Resort easily transported or unloaded the suitcases from the vehicles.

Notwithstanding in the country side, Seree Grand Resort featured essential modern creature comforts such as flat screen television with local television channel, WIFI, a fridge, standard 2 bottles of complimentary mineral waters, coffee or tea sachets as well as the kettle.

In terms of charging points, it was sufficient and conveniently at the side of the bed too. Again, I grateful for the make-up mirror. It just perfect for make-up and combed the hairs rather than using the washroom mirror.

For bathroom, it separated the toilet and shower area. There were basic toiletries. For example, shower cap, toothbrush, toothpaste, cotton buds, shower gel, shampoo, and body towels. I favored shower head’s high and strong water pressure. I felt a lot better while showering under high and strong water pressure.

Breakfast area and foods 

Heart and simple breakfast-pork porridge, fried dough and soft boiled eggs were served too. The foods were fine though it plain and lacked of choices.

Another highlight of the Seree Grand Resort, Hatyai was free of charge airport transfer service. The driver was very punctual. The driver was ready few minutes earlier than me which I didn’t have to wait. The driver was not the talkative type. He didn’t interact with me in the journey. Anyway, I enjoyed the quiet ride. I finally arrived Hatyai International Airport safely.

All in, Seree Grand Resort was clean, comfortable, offered the basic amenities, superb services and most importantly value for money. It must be my first choice if I had the morning flight on the next day. It’s super convenient.

Seree Grand Resort

Address: 179/2 Soi 2 pracharuamjai, Moo 4, Tambon Khuan Lang, Amphoe Hat Yai, Chang Wat Songkhla 90110, Hat Yai agoda

Reservation: https://www.agoda.com/seree-grand-resort/hotel/hat-yai-th.html?cid=-218

********

Hatyai International Airport

Hatyai International airport security was checked before entering arrival hall. The security check officers looked very strict, strong and curiosity. 

One time 1 saw Diary Queen in Hatyai International airport whereas another time in Chiang Mai International Airport.

A China guy gobbled down the oblong of Diary Queen. It must be very crunchy and tasty. I was so upset to discover not much Thai Baht left, I couldn’t own Diary Queen oblong.

This was not the matter of dilemma. Instead, it was foreign currency. 

Nothing to see in Hatyai International airport. Emptiness filled the departure floor.

Until then, guys!