A trip to Chiang Mai with Suanplu Chorus
Last weekend I went up to Chiang Mai with Suanplu Chorus. We performed at one of the big stage in Chiang Mai, Kad Theatre. The show went pretty well- little mishaps every now and then like most out-of-town shows I've done in the past. Good learning experience for us all. The crowd seems appreciative (enough), and I think we got a pretty good responses. We took lots of photos... I got tagged with so many of them on FB, borderline ridiculous, last week. Good time. Now for the list...
State Railway of Thailand: This is the second time I take a long trip on SRT (the last was in high school). Bangkok-Chiang Mai takes about 12 hrs on an express sleeper train. I think we made no more than 7-8 stops, and majority of that is in Bangkok (Hua Lumpong, Samsen, Bang Sue, Lak Si, Don Mueng). Food and booze (for some) with singing on the side we have a great time. Sleeping on a train is more difficult than I thought. I can get used to constant motion and vibration, but once the train slow down (i.e. going thru a station or town) I woke up. Now I know why people go to bed so early on a train... you need that to compensate for all the sleep interruption during the night. The sleeper bunk was actually pretty good, but the same can't be said about the bathroom nor food at the dining car. Best to take care of both before you get on the train.
Kad Theatre: Well, I'm grateful for their generosity, and their PR people (that I have to deal with) are quire pleasant. How I wish I'd get to sing there during its first few years though. It's not bad by any means, but it's showing sign of aging (imagine the old McCaw Hall). Stage piano that needs re-tuning (and after a few hours, replacing), a few nooks & bumps on flooring, and bats (you read that right! bats!). I guess our soprano high B (or whatever actual pitch we arrive at the end of that song- we always got a little sharp) must have woken them up.
Food, food, food: I'm not the type who like to shop for gifts or crafts, but I'd rather just eat my way through a weekend of concert + sightseeing. Chiang Mai didn't disappoint me in that regards. All kinds of northern food. I discovered my new favorite, Khao Ngeaw- rice seasoned with pig's blood and herbs wrapped in banana leaves then steamed, topped with fried onion and garlic (I think this what sealed the deal for me) just before you eat them. Other stuff I have had before, but discover a GREAT place for northern style herbs sausage- the BEST I've ever had.
Luge car: Hmm, this is at the Chiang Mai zoo. Luge car down a slope. Since I've already seen the panda and all the animals the last time I was there, I ended up at the luge car along with other not-so-animal inclined folks from the chorus. I hate going fast ANYWHERE in general, never mind down a slope on top of a small hill, yet I unintentionally manage to pass two guys. All that before I stop to adjust my about-to-fall-off helmet just before the last curve (it was the biggest slope and I got scared!!). What can I say once is enough...
I got a little stressed out at the end once we arrived in Bangkok. Things were a bit hectic with all our luggage and musical instruments to be unloaded from the train. Nothing I can control yet I let it got to me. I guess the lack of good night rest sorta affects my general calm composure. So that's about it. My Chiang Mai trip.
State Railway of Thailand: This is the second time I take a long trip on SRT (the last was in high school). Bangkok-Chiang Mai takes about 12 hrs on an express sleeper train. I think we made no more than 7-8 stops, and majority of that is in Bangkok (Hua Lumpong, Samsen, Bang Sue, Lak Si, Don Mueng). Food and booze (for some) with singing on the side we have a great time. Sleeping on a train is more difficult than I thought. I can get used to constant motion and vibration, but once the train slow down (i.e. going thru a station or town) I woke up. Now I know why people go to bed so early on a train... you need that to compensate for all the sleep interruption during the night. The sleeper bunk was actually pretty good, but the same can't be said about the bathroom nor food at the dining car. Best to take care of both before you get on the train.
Kad Theatre: Well, I'm grateful for their generosity, and their PR people (that I have to deal with) are quire pleasant. How I wish I'd get to sing there during its first few years though. It's not bad by any means, but it's showing sign of aging (imagine the old McCaw Hall). Stage piano that needs re-tuning (and after a few hours, replacing), a few nooks & bumps on flooring, and bats (you read that right! bats!). I guess our soprano high B (or whatever actual pitch we arrive at the end of that song- we always got a little sharp) must have woken them up.
Food, food, food: I'm not the type who like to shop for gifts or crafts, but I'd rather just eat my way through a weekend of concert + sightseeing. Chiang Mai didn't disappoint me in that regards. All kinds of northern food. I discovered my new favorite, Khao Ngeaw- rice seasoned with pig's blood and herbs wrapped in banana leaves then steamed, topped with fried onion and garlic (I think this what sealed the deal for me) just before you eat them. Other stuff I have had before, but discover a GREAT place for northern style herbs sausage- the BEST I've ever had.
Luge car: Hmm, this is at the Chiang Mai zoo. Luge car down a slope. Since I've already seen the panda and all the animals the last time I was there, I ended up at the luge car along with other not-so-animal inclined folks from the chorus. I hate going fast ANYWHERE in general, never mind down a slope on top of a small hill, yet I unintentionally manage to pass two guys. All that before I stop to adjust my about-to-fall-off helmet just before the last curve (it was the biggest slope and I got scared!!). What can I say once is enough...
I got a little stressed out at the end once we arrived in Bangkok. Things were a bit hectic with all our luggage and musical instruments to be unloaded from the train. Nothing I can control yet I let it got to me. I guess the lack of good night rest sorta affects my general calm composure. So that's about it. My Chiang Mai trip.