The Charin Garden Resort is one of those wonders of life: how did it get here? How did they learn to make pie so well? Why is it in the middle of nowhere?

Never mind the answers, just stop off on your way between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and enjoy some pie. Yes, they have Thai food and other items on their menu, but the pie is why I go there. So do many others, and for good reason: they have a wide range of pies and everyone I've tried has been very good.

Sure I have my favorites: anything with lemon, especially the Lemon Supreme Pie. There you have it ladies, a quick path to my heart. Just show up with some lemon supreme pie from Charin, and oh boy!

For the adventurous, they have a number of pies prepared in traditional ways but with Thai ingredients, such as pineapple meringue pie and orange cheese cake. I will say that they all look good, but I must confess that I am always drawn to traditional favorites. After all, I must drive some 140 km or so to get there, so I'm not going to risk disappointment - I go with one of my favorites. If I every stay for a day or two in one of their nice-looking bungalows, maybe then I will try these nouveau pies.

How to Get There

Drive. If you hire a bus or a mini-bus for the trip, tell the driver to stop. There aren't many other choices on how to get there.

The address is:

82 Moo 1, Mae Suay District
Chiang Rai 57180

Tel: 0 1783 1637

They are located about 10 km north of Mae Suay and about 40 km south of Chiang Rai, on the Chiang Mai - Doi Saket - Chiang Rai highway.

'Nuff said. See you there!