#HakkaLimsRnRInThailand2017 - Day 6

Day 6 itinerary:

Morning - (Free & Easy) - Chinatown

Lunch

215pm - transfer hotel to airport

9pm Home sweet Home (Changi)

Leisure (final) morning:

It was a free and easy morning, since we need to pack and do check out.  We (the Yaps) had nothing in mind for it.  Then we met Aunt YY at breakfast, and were happy to take her suggestion to walk to Chinatown (10-15mins walk from our hotel) to take a look.  

We went back our hotel room for a short while and met up with them at the lobby at the agreed time.  I was surprised to not see mum join us.  Later when I chat with WS, I was amazed and impressed to find out that although Aunt YY was roommate with my Mum for this and other tours, she managed to "keep sane" by ignoring my mum's lateness and will just proceed on her own without getting burdened.  For example that morning, as there was no tour-guide specified timing or activity to adhere to, so when my mum didn't want to abide to the reasonable-and-agreed set off time, she just left her to fend for herself.  So mum had her own leisure morning to do breakfast and packing.  

It's a little similar to our own Chinatown, with the streets slightly dustier, and overhead cables going across buildings and streets.  Walked, browsed (a lot), bargained, buy (a little), and pictures...  Then WS and us headed back, while the Lim sisters and brother continued to shop.      

The Lim sisters:

Me and WS had previously discussed the schedule for the morning, and had agreed on check out at 1145.  We knew that we had a lot of lax that noon, i.e. lots of time for lunch, as our transfer to airport need not be until 230.  

She messaged me from her room that Aunt Cindy (her roommate) was not back yet, so we pushed check out to 12.  At about 1150, on our way down to the lobby, we saw Aunt YY loitering at the corridor of our floor.  She was slightly agitated that mum hadn't packed yet, and said that she had asked WS to help out.  I was surprised, as mum's a rather regular traveller, thus I didn't expect her to have any problem with packing her won luggage.  Knowing that I will lose my temper at her, and having plenty of time to spare, I proceeded on to the lobby, to "kiao ka". 

At the lobby slightly after 12, we saw Aunt Cindy came back from outside.  She went up to her room to do her final packing.  At about 12:05, WS came down too.  She did not go to Aunt YY's room to help my mum, thinking that they should be done already since it's already about 1/2 hr after Aunt YY's initial request to her.  So she went back up.  Finally Aunt Cindy came down after 12.15,  Aunt YY & mum before 12.30.

So WS and I were catching up about that after the trip.  We are still puzzled over the why (the reason) mum was unable to pack (WS did not have any problem doing it for her).  But WS enlightened me about the other "mystery", which was how mum can be on time most mornings except the final day; it was due to aunt Cindy going to their room every morning to chase and to help.   So on the final morning, since Aunt Cindy was late coming back herself, no one babysit on mum. 

The old town of Chiangmai:

Anyway, the rest of the afternoon wasn't the least affected.  We took a local taxi and went into the old town for lunch.  

It's a pity that I didn't get to walk about in the old town, to actually see and take photo of the famous wall/perimeter/the water fountains that divide the whole city into old (inner) and new (outer).  That morning, after we left Chinatown, Aunt Cindy also took off to explore, so I got a picture from her to show here.   

We had late lunch (about 1pm already) at this restaurant, where the food was great.  Soon, we started to embark on our journey home.

Home sweet home, and after thoughts:

We went back to and then left the hotel at 230pm; finally touched down at Changi airport at 9pm.  Uncle Eric was so sweet, he was there to fetch us, at least 1/2 of the group of us that his car can take.

Aunt Cindy suggested that our next destination could be skiing in Korea.  I wonder if she's serious or just empty/exaggerated talk?  Can this group really manage such a challenging destination?

I know my mum, so nothing much on this trip that she did surprised me.  However, other than her reliance on others, I also think that age is catching up with her, thus skiing and heavy snow is also not suitable for her.     

I learned more about traveling with Aunt YY.  She has her own mind, but she comes to a decision too late.  She's a very thorough person, so she usually make better tactical decisions than us after deep analysis.  However, she only convey her views at the last minute, thus requiring last minute changes in plans, many times inconveniencing others.  Still I will go to tours with her in the future if there's chance.  With this experience, hopefully we can compromise better in future.  

Finally for Aunt Cindy, she is no doubt the leader among her siblings.  She not only organises family activities, has the influence over family decisions, but is also someone that the siblings turn to for help.  For that reason, she's can be overwhelmed and can be mean and hurtful in her communication with us, the children of her siblings, whom she expected more.  One one hand, I am grateful to her.  On the other hand, I don't care for her judgement and occational tantrums.  WS has this advice for me, which is to ignore her if I hear what I don't like to hear.  Hah, that's actually good advice, non-confrontational.  So, unless Aunt Cindy organises Korea, else if it's up to me and WS it shall be the easier choice of Taiwan!

Just to conclude, these people, my family, I love them all.  It's actually dreadful to think that one day they will become old and needy.  Until then, we should have our next trip!! (Wink wink to WS, I hope you still read my blog!).