Nature's Way, Chiang Mai, Day 1
9 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
Another early start and this one feel's tough. The prospect of the seven hour train journey ahead of us doesn't help. We get some toast and have a coffee before the incredibly cheerful woman who owns the hotel books us a taxi. She is a character, and is very helpful despite recently breaking her neck.
We get our tickets with no trouble, £1.50 each for a 7 hour journey. You might be able to get a few miles on a train in England for that price. As the train pulls up to the stop, it is packed, but miraculously almost everyone gets off, leaving us a choice of seats. We get sat down and get our bags put in the luggage compartments overhead and settle in. The train journeys here seem to go much quicker then the bus journeys. This one in particular is a good one, as it goes through mostly untouched (apart from the track) land which is great to see out of the window. Hills loom in the distance, some of them barely an outline against the overcast sky. It is similar to the North of Vietnam, and seems a million miles away from Bangkok. It is so far out that the toilet on the train is simply a hole onto the tracks that pass by underneath. This could lead to an awkward situation if someone has to go while the train is stopped at a station. After watching the scenery pass by, and watching a few episodes of some Netfliix shows, we arrive in Chiang Mai.
After getting a tuk tuk into the city, we arrive at our hostel. It is nice, despite the bathroom being on the balcony. We then head into Chiang Mai, and there are so many placees to eat at that we feel spoilt for choice. After the recent few days it is great to have a choice, and right on our doorstep. We grab some food and chill out for a bit, before heading out again later for another meal (there was about 3 hours inbetween them, think we got a bit excited) and head out to explore Chiang Mai. We plan to maybe go to a few bars, but are distracted by some sort of festival that is going on. We walk in and grab a beer, before sitting down and watching some of the local bands that are taking the stage. It is a very cool place to wander about, with loads of people there, and different types of music being placed all over. There are loads of stalls selling different homemade goods, and lots of places selling all kinds of food.
We find a band playing some rock classic which warrants another beer, before heading back. The walk back to the hotel isn't as enjoyable as it could have been as I am bursting for the loo, but we almost stop in at some very cool looking bars anyway.
As we get back it doesn't take long for us both to fall asleep (beer and an early morning is one strong cocktail) but we are already very excited at the small bit of Chiang Mai we have seen. It is also very Christmassy, and we are chuffed to be spending it here. There's even a place cooking a roast dinner!Baca selengkapnya
Nature's Way, Chiang Mai, Day 2
10 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
A much slower start to the day then yesterday as we make the most of having nothing to get up for by sleeping in most of the morning. It's nice to not be rushed, and the idea that we have another 5 days to spend here over Christmas means that we can take our time seeing the sights. It is around 11 when we head off. We decide to stay another night before heading to Pai as we want to see some elephants, so we get that booked in for tomorrow and grab some food. The food in Thailand has been great so far. The curries have much more spice then Vietnam and Cambodia and Pad Thai is always a winner!
After eating we head out to see some of the temples that are in the city centre. The staff in the hostel have highlighted the key places on a map so we try follow that (with the help of google maps as well after our last few map reading attempts) an before we know it we are at the 3 King's monument. It is a statue of said 3 King's and stands in a lovely square right next to the fine art museum, which is showcasing some pieces outside.
After the monument we go looking at the temples. First up is Wat Phan Tao. This temple is different o many we have seen as it is made completely of wood. Inside isn't quite as lavish and extreme as some of the others we have seen, but this gives it a certain kind of ambience that makes it feel really quite special as you walk around silently. It is great, and is a nice break from the ruins that we have seemed to spend weeks seeing after Angkor Wat.
After that we head on the short walk to Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara. What the previous Wat lacked in Gold and decorations, this one certainly makes up for. Amy puts on a long robe/dressing gown to walk around which makes her incredibly hot, but it is still fascinating. The first temple is actually only for men. The reason is something to do with menstruation but I forget the details. The temple is fascinating though, with some of the most intricate drawings I have seen carved and painted onto the walls, and a Golden Buddha taking centre stage in the middle. After that we walk around the complex together, taking in all the other structures. The main temple is huge, amazingly decorated and stunningly kitted out with Gold and Silver everywhere. A huge Buddha sits at the end. There is also a great ruin, with long steps leading up the Buddha's on every side and statues of elephants that are half decayed standing out like sentries on guard. Add this to the other temples with statues of monks, paintings, and innumerable decorations, and it is an hour well spent.
Wat Phra Singh is our next stop, and I walk in and have a look around the main temple here, which isn't quite as spectacular as the other one but does house another enormous Buddha statue, before we head back.
We chill out for a few hours in the room before going out to eat and watch the football. After the footy we head to the night market expecting good things. Every Sunday a whole road is closed to allow for the amount of stalls that stand here, so we hope for bargains galore. When we arrive though it is quite different. It is so busy it is almost impossible to see what is for sale on the stores, and after a bad meal Amy seeks out the food stalls that seem to be non-existent. It is more frustrating then anything trying to push your way through the crowd and we soon head back to the hotel, getting ready for a 5.30 get up tomorrow to meet some elephants!Baca selengkapnya
Nature's Way, Chiang Mai, Day 3
11 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
It's an early morning, and it certainly feels early today. Despite the early night last night it is hard to drag ourselves out of bed, even though we are very excited to spend a morning with the elephants. The minibus picks us up just after 6.30, and we are joined by an Italian couple who look as bleary eyed and half awake as we do. The only other person to board is a Polish girl who is travelling alone, and soon enough we are on our way. It is great to be in such a small group, but we are still a bit too tired to truly feel excited yet.
As the minutes pass by in the van, we head out of the city in a direction which I guess is north due to the mountainous countryside that we enter. It isn't long before we have pulled off the busy main road and begin to climb one of these mountains. The minibus is almost silent as everyone in it is fast asleep, but I struggle to get to sleep in these things, especially as we are being thrown left and right as the bus rags itself around some incredibly tight bends as it climbs. the views are pretty breathtaking though, and more then enough to keep me occupied as we slowly climb and climb. It isn't long before we reach a few villages, and soon enough we see some elephants wandering up the side of the road with locals sat on their head directing them. It's an odd sight to see, especially when your mind still isn't fully awake. We pass by a few elephant reserves, ranging from small with only a few elephants, to much bigger. By now excitement is kicking in, and soon enough we pull down a small and very bumpy dirt road and stop. We all clamber out and take in the beautiful surroundings that we have stumbled into. Mountains surround us on almost every side, one of which is the biggest in Thailand (and which showcasing a very cold stream as we find out later on) and luscious green fields lead right up to them. What's more exciting is the family of six elephants standing in a field slightly uphill from the small keep where we stand.
After a brief introduction and question and answer session with the incredibly informative and friendly guide Singha (like the beer) it is time for us to meet the family. We wander up with huge stacks of grass over our shoulder and a bag of fruit each, with the excitement fading to nerves slightly as the size of these animals dawns on us. We are dressed in traditional tops, which the elephants know means food, so they come walking over to us rather quickly. It's enough to worry everyone slightly, but they stop just in front of us and throw their trunk out in search of food. The grass is thrown onto the floor and the fruit is placed into the trunk or the mouth as the elephants devour it as if it's nothing. It is great fun to spend some time with these wonderful creatures, who are incredibly calm and gentle, apart from the mischievous baby Dumbo who seems to be a lot more active then the others, snatching food straight from the bags. One of them has learnt to wrap his trunk around people and then plant a kiss on their face, which is as fun as it is disgusting.
After some time stroking the animals and getting some photos, it is bath time. We follow three of the elephants down to the stream, and get in. It is incredibly cold at first, and the temperature is not helped by the guides throwing buckets of the icy water down your backs. After a while of being soaked in it though your body seems to get used to it, and before we know it we are in with the elephants. They lay down as we throw water all over them before rubbing it in. They seem to enjoy it as they squirm and roll playfully in the water. It is hard to forget the enormity of them as they walk back through the water and we pose for a group photo. They seem so friendly and nice, but I wouldn't want one to stand on my foot!
After the bathing we eat dinner. The Dumbo elephant crew serve a great buffet of sweet and sour and curry, and we dry off in the Sun watching the elephants make their way back to camp. A large group that start later then us come in as we finish eating and start their day, which makes us very glad we started early in a much smaller group. After a final goodbye and a few more minutes with them, we again board the bus, ready for the journey back home.
This time, I do manage to get to sleep, along with everyone else on board. It doesn't seem long before we are back in Chiang Mai, ready to relax and process what a great day it has been. We only head out again once more for tea, which is at a great place. i try pad sea-ew which is like a spicy, big noodle dish and tastes great. After that we do a spot of shopping before heading back. The day has knackered us out. We will sleep well tonight!Baca selengkapnya
2001, Pai, Day 1
12 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
We finally get a chance for a lie in, and we desparately needed it. Today we have to brace ourselves for the drive to Pai. A drive that is known to be one of the most vomit inducing that South East Asia has to offer.
We get some breakfast and head off just after 12. After a few of the 762 bends this road offers, we know it is going to be a long journey. We fly up the mountain swinging this way and that. It is truly a crazy road that if attempted with a hangover would probably make someone a teetotaler by the end. The views are quite incredible though, as we climb higher and higher up the side of one of the hills and stare over the tops of the others. Surprisingly, the sound of someone retching behind me only occurs once on the journey, as most people manage to hold it in until we arrive in Pai. When we step out of the mini bus we all feel like kissing the flat land as if we have just finished a very rough boat journey.
Pai is a lovely town, and we feel excited to be here. Immediately we cross a bamboo bridge and we are onto the walking street where our hotel is. After we walk past it a couple of times we find it and drop our bags off before heading out for some food at the night market. The market is amazing, with most of the food on offer being 25p or less. I end up eating loads of spring rolls and fried chicken, and amy has a curry wrap kind of thing which is lovely.
We were worried about the heat in the room as we only have a fan to keep us cool, but we soon realise we shouldn't have been. As soon as the Sun drops below the mountains the temperature plummets. It is lovely to have cold nights and we sleep well. We are still knackered after the non stop time in Thailand so plan a day of relaxing tomorrow.Baca selengkapnya
2001, Pai, Day 2
13 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
A muh needed day of relaxation today. As places to chill out go, this one is definitely up there with the best. We rise slowly, before feeling bad about doing nothig so head off for a little walk. Pai is really great, and a short walk from the bustling walking street brings you out in the countryside. Mountains circle you on every side and streams flow underneath and around you as we cross a bridge and head up a hill. We are not sure where we are meant to he heading so after a while we turn back, vowing to return tomorrow when we have more energy. We stop off for a beer on the way back and then sit on the balcony relaxing.
The only other time we head out is when we go for some food at the night market. It is again really good and I end up eating a curry wrap, some fried chicken, and some garlic bread. Amy has a mexican jacket potato thing which is amazing and makes me very jealous. Luckily the size of it means she can't finish it and i get to finish it. A quiet day with not much going on, and exactly what we needed!Baca selengkapnya
2001, Pai, Day 3
14 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
It's an early start today as we plan to get a moped and explore the surrounding area. It looks beautiful, but the prospect of a day on a moped never seems appealing. We get one and I leave my passport behind as a deposit (rather reluctantly after what happened to Amy's) and soon enough were on the road.
Immediately I realise the drives we have been doing have paid off, as I feel a lot more comfortable. Before long we have a full tank and have left pai behind. The scenery does not disappoint, and the morning fog that lingers in the distance only adds to the view. After around 30 minutes we reach our first stop, the land split. It is a crazy place in which at one point in the past the land just split (hence the name). It is very odd and does really take some seeing to believing. It's the kind of place that makes you wish you listened more in geography at school so you could know how something like this could happen. As we leave, the jolly woman at the entrance bombards us with fruit and fried banana and wine (not for the drivers, mum) and we make our way through as much of it as we can with the help of an Argentinean and Columbian couple.
We leave full up and a lot heavier, and it's not far to our next stop, a small waterfall that is pretty uninspiring but worth a few minutes look. Next up is a very long bamboo bridge that stretches over some fields and is a lot better then it sounds. The views are beautiful and the water buffalo that play underneath and next to the bridge are great to watch. We walk the distance and stop for a sit down and to take in the view, which we could honestly stare at all day, but we have other places to visit and so we head back to the bike and head off.
Pai canyon is the next stop, and it is similar to the land split much on a much grander scale and much scarier to walk around. Here in Asia health and safety seems like a made up idea, and it soon kicks in as we walk over very thin pathways with vertical drops at either side that one slip and we would be over the edge. Again, the views of the mountain on either side are incredible, and as we climb around the canyon pathways and take it all in, it really feels like you are on a film set, or in a post apocalyptic world. We don't go the full way as some of the paths look a bit too steep and deadly for our liking, and after a quick stop to eat we are back on the road.
We stop briefly at the world war 2 memorial bridge. A pretty cool structure but one that doesn't take much viewing, and after getting pulled over to take a photo of some very happy bikers, we are at the hot springs. They sound tempting but the 300 baht entrance free puts us off (six times what the locals pay!).
The day is quickly going, and we head to a waterfall that ends up being a 14km hike round. It's not a good idea to start this with three hours daylight left, especially as it heads through a jungle, but some crazy people do it anyway.
Our final stop is an amazing view point, that is at the top of a very steep hill. After a few minutes of worry that we were about to start going backwards, we make it to the top. Breathtaking views of the mountains in the distance surround us. Sitting down and staring out at it all is the perfect way to end the day.
Back at the hotel, with my passport safely back in my bag, we get sorted and head out for some tea. The food is good, and to round the day off we enjoy a few beers while listening to some great Dylan covers on guitar. It's a great way to end a great day, and it definitely seems the day of rest was a good idea!Baca selengkapnya
2001, Pai, Day 4
15 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
What was meant to be an early start turns into a rather late one, as we spend some time deliberatig on whether to undertake the hike to the waterfall that we nearly started yesterday. After a big breakfast gives us both a belly full of energy, we decide to go for it, and begin our walk knowing it will be a long one, but not expecting anything too strenuous.
The walk up the hill to the start of the hike sets the tone for the day, as the midday sun beats down on us as we work our way to the stream. He views, like most places in Pai, are great as you get higher and higher and soon enough we reach the stream which marks the beginning.
Yesterday when we arrived here we saw some people climbing out of the forest to the side of the stream. We were going to head that way but see a few people walking down the stream instead, so we follow them, hoping to keep some people in our sights so we don't get lost. Soon though people have either drifted behind or sped off ahead and we are alone, working our way with soaking shoes across the streams that are shin height and through the small paths among the trees and plants of the forest. There is an extra edge out here when doing jungle treks as there are so many spooky and harmful bugs and snakes that we know are probably somewhere around us that we are constanly on edge, especially when a leaf brushes against your arm or something snaps a twig or squeaks in the distance.
With the help of some very informative dogs we work our way along the path for 2 and a half hours. Luckily, the north isn't as hot as the south, and the sun is sheltered by the trees so it isn't too hot. As we get closer, there is a large, steep hill to climb, before we cross four more streams and finally reach the waterfall. I'm not often a fan of waterfalls, but to finally reach our target after so much trekking and be able to wash and reinvigorate ourselves in the freezing water is lovely. Unfortunately, we have to head back pretty quickly as the Sun sets in about three hours.
We set off back, now with the knowledge of what is ahead of us, but with a rather quicker step due to the descending sun. Again we cross over the 38 streams on the way, which seemed rather fun on the way here but now feel like a bit of an annoyance. With no dogs to guide us, we sometimes worry we are heading the wrong way, but Amy, who seems to have inherited the trekking bug today as she storms through the jungle leading the way like a female Bear Grylls.
The first stream which we crossed around 5 hours ago is a lovely sight, and after emptying the sand that has accumulated in our shoes, we head back. Of course, we end up going the wrong way home, which adds another mile or so to our journey. When we get back and sit on the balcony, the relief is pretty huge, especially in our worn out legs and aching feet. We work out we have walked 14 miles!
All we went to do is relax, but tonight we are meeting Reuben and Olga who seem to turn up in a lot of places where we are. We meet them at the market and enjoy some street food before grabbing a quick drink. It's great to see them and hear what they have been up to and what they are planning (South Korea for Christmas!) before we go back to the room and get some very well earned sleep.Baca selengkapnya
Poi De Ping, Chiang Mai, Day 1
16 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
It is back to Chaing Mai we go today. After some breakfast, enjoyed in the very cold climate of the North in the mornings, we go for a coffee in a rabbit cafe. Two rabbits sit on our table threatening to knock our drinks over as we slowly sip our coffees. Amy is obviously in her element with the two little rabbits, and I almost feel bad dragging her away, but we do have a bus to catch.
The bus is full as we go, and the atmosphere is tense as everyone braces themselves for the journey. Luckily, we are sat on the front row, so we don't get swung around too much, and our driver seems to take care around the corners and not fly round them like an f1 driver like some do. I don't really think about the bends too much as just as we set off, the water and coffee I drank this morning decided to hit my bladder. It is a long ninety minutes sat holding a wee in that is threatening to break free at any moment, but I manage to make it to the half way rest stop without an embarassing accident. A woman is throwing up at the stop as the road has defeated her, but everyone on our bus seems to still have their breakfast in their stomach.
After my relief at being able to wee, the second half of the journey is easy, and we get into the bus station in Chiang Mai just after 2. Our hotel is only a brief walk away. We didn't want to stay too far away as the visa office is nearby and we will be back at the bus station getting a bus to Chiang Ria soon. After grabbing some well earned food, we go back to the hotel and relax, only leaving the room again to buy a picnic from the 7/11 that is as tasty as it is unhealthy.
Instant cheesy noodles with bread and crisps in bed. I doubt we will be gaining any michelin stars anytime soon, but right now it tastes pretty awesome. We were meant to be going to the visa office tomorrow but it's shut so we plan a quieter day of rest. It feels good to go to sleep with no alarm, even if Chelsea are winning on the tele as I drift off.Baca selengkapnya
Poi De Ping, Chiang Mai, Day 2
17 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
As the visa office is shut on a Sunday we are in a bit of a quandary about what to spend our day doing. Nothing gives you itchy feet like a hotel room with only Thai channels, so, after a slow and lazy morning, we head out to see if we can walk to the walls of the old town.
The walk there isn't much to write about, as most of it is down a residential street with not much going on. I am in a hungry anger (hanger) so am very relieved when we cross a bridge which means our journey is nearly complete. We stop for something to eat and Amy orders a Thai red curry that I can only manage a few spoonfuls of as it is incredibly spicy. Amy, to her credit, works her way through it as if she has a bet on that she can't. We finally leave, full up and with burning mouths, and soon enough reach the walls. Chiang Mai is a lovely place and it is very easy to burn hours away just wandering through the beautiful streets. After stopping for a coffee and some delightful biscuits, we walk into the old town. It is great as the area is so small, it is so easy to cover most of the stuff there in a short distance. We can't wait to come back for Christmas, and are glad that we have chosen to stay here for Christmas.
After wandering about the old town and through a small market that runs alongside a temple, we stop for a fruit shake that takes about half an hour to make. As we wait we watch the worst attempt at a parallel park we have ever seen. I'm no expert, but even I was wincing. It made us feel better about our poor moped skills, and we didn't even feel bad about watching when a man came out the cafe to point nd laugh, before returning inside.
So, we head back down a lovely street full of English looking bars that we bookmark for some festive drinks over Christmas, and start the 45 minute journey back to the hotel.
What was meant to be a day spent getting visas, has ended up being a pretty exhausting day of walking again, and we are glad to only have a short walk to the restaurant for tea, before we retire back to the room. Visas tomorrow, and the alarm is set early to hopefully beat the queues!Baca selengkapnya
7 Days, Chiang Mai, Day 1
18 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
It's an early start today, and a rather nervous one as we head to the immigration office hoping to get a months extension. Everyone we have spoken to has told us it will be fine, but a slight worry still lingers that they will take one look at me and a big denied stamp will be slammed onto my passport.
Hoping to beat the queues, we grab an uber there at around 8 (8.30 is opening time). Unfortunately everyone here has had the same idea and the foyer is already pretty crowded as we enter. We grab a couple of forms and start to fill them in before joining the back of the queue. After a rather long wait we make it to the front where my passport is taken away and we go sit inside and wait for my stamp. The 30 day extension was no problem, apart from for Amy who has to wait until she gets her new passport in Bangkok to do it. In the end everything goes swimmingly, despite the 200 baht fee for some new passport photos as they don't accept ones normal size!
We head back to the hotel and pick up our bags, before heading to the bus stop to head to Chiang Rai. The success of the morning has raised our spirits, but they are soon dropped as we are told the Chiang Rai buses are sold out all day. After some food and deliberation we book a hotel nearby and book a bus for tomorrow. The hotel we are in is okay, but with no Wi-Fi and only one English channels that repeats the same five movie trailers all day, it is pretty boring.
The only plus side is it is near a few fast food places, so we pop out for an afternoon cheeseburger and coffee.
As night draws in, we are expecting a pretty boring one, so we head out for a walk. In the distance we saw a shopping mall called central festival that seems to look pretty Christmassy. We head towards it along a busy main road, and walk in to a very festive scene. A huge Christmas tree stands outside, and lots of decorations pass you by as you walk inside. Amy is in her element with the decorations, and is even happier when she sees a H and M and topshop! After waiting for her outside the shops, we walk around the mall taking it all in and beginning to feel very festive. A cinema showing the new star wars film tempts me but we decide to save it for another day. I usually hate shopping malls, but this one is great fun and is a small taste of home that we maybe both have been craving in the lead up to Christmas. Afterwards, we stop for a pizza which is amazing and some fries. We then pop into McDonalds for more fries (a tray full to be exact) before heading back to the room. We didn't expect much from tonight, but it has been great, and we go to sleep full of festive joy and fries, so many fries.Baca selengkapnya
Baan Nipa, Chiang Rai, Day 1
19 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ 🌙 16 °C
Today we leave Chiang Mai for Chiang Rai, which is rather confusing. After not being able to get on a bus yesterday we are up early today. We grab a subway for breakfast and mine is covered in about a gallon of thousand island sauce which is good for a few bites but then gets rather sickly.
The bus is about 3 and a half hours and is much more easy going then the trip to Pai. The roads are mostly straight, big highways, so the journey goes pretty well.
We get dropped off in the middle of town and head straight to the hotel, which is very nice. The staff don't even kind that we booked for yesterday when we were meant to be getting the bus, and let us move our booking for free!
After getting settled in, we head out to walk to the town and see the sights. Most of the major attractions are well outside the city so we plan to visit them tomorrow. For today, the clock tower is our first destination. It is very cool, and is a great focal point to visit the rest of the town. The walk in the centre is lovely, with plenty of temples and cool coffee shops to visit. These cities or towns thst sre smaller are always nice to visit, with a much slower pace then the big cities like Chiang Mai. It is the coldest we have been since Da Lat as well, which is kind of a bonus when wandering around in the middle of the afternoon.
After a few hours of wandering around, we head back, grabbing some paprika flavoured banana crisps on the way. They are awesome, but we are still hungry so soon head out for tea. By now the sun has set and he temperatures have plummeted even further. It is shiveringly cold, and we wrap up well when heading for food. It's a long walk to find food, but we soon get sat down and order food, before walking back to the room, and enjoying the warmth. It will be odd wrapping up tonight, and we are both very much looking forward to It!Baca selengkapnya
Baan Nipa, Chiang Rai, Day 2
20 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ 🌙 15 °C
We are up pretty early today ready to see what has become colloquially known as the heaven and hell of Chiang Rai.
After getting up and having some pad Thai for breakfast, we head to he bus station. Local buses are always interesting, and we manage to find one heading to the White Temple. It soon gets very busy and cramped, but luckily we have the back seat so have some leg room. After around twenty minutes we reach our stop, which is very helpfully pointed out by the ticket collector.
As you walk up to the White Temple it isn't an exaggeration to say it looks like something out of a Disney movie. The temple is impossibly white as the Sun glares off it, forces many sunglasses to be put on just to stare at it. It is an amazing, wondrous thing. Before heading into the temple, we walk through an art gallery containing the work of the architect/artist who designed the temple. The painting range from beautiful to weird as you head through. The colours achieved with acrylic on canvas image stunning, and most of the stuff is great. There is a large penis sculpture and a picture of George Bush and Osama Bin Laden hugging on a rocket which seems out of place, but apart from that it is amazing.
After that we head inside the temple. It is as impressive inside as it is outside. Again it is painted beautifully, with odd little drawings of cultural figures such as Harry Potter and Pikachu. We spend around an hour simply walking around the temple grounds staring at the many sculptures and decorations that adorn it. Some trees are built entirely of metal sculptures, some trees have skulls and pirate heads hanging from them, which kind of sums up this amazing, magical place. It is Disneyland comes to Northern Thailand, and alone justifies a visit to Chiang Rai.
We leave the White Temple and manage to grab a hail down a tuk tuk that takes us back to Chiang Rai for the same price of a bus (20 baht). After dinner we head to the black house. We manage to make it there on a local bus again with minimal fuss. After a short walk we head into the complex, and the first thing that catches our eye is the huge wooden building the looks rather ominous. This is the hell of Chiang Rai, compared to the heavenly white temple, and it is easy to see why. Dead animal skulls and skins are everywhere. It is an odd, rather disturbing place that seems to just be rather sinister. After a while we get fed up of seeing buffalo skulls, and walk round a lot more quickly than we did the White Temple. To think this place was suggested to us by a vegetarian is very odd, as it is certainly not a place for animal lovers. To see people taking selfies with the bones and skins is also a rather strange thing, and we aren't exactly sad when it is time to leave.
So we grab a bus back (just) and grab a very tasty curry and beer before heading back to the room. It has been a very long day and we are ready to head back to Chiang Mai and begin our Christmas week there!Baca selengkapnya
Panda House, Chiang Mai, Day 1
21 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
After our short trip to Chiang Rai, we are ready to get back to Chiang Mai and start our Christmas celebrations properly. After a long day yesterday, we get up slowly, before heading to the bus station and grabbing some food. We eat at the same place we have every time we have been at the station, mostly for the lovely woman who gives us free fruit and soup. After eating we go to the bus stop and wait. Before long, we are sat down, heading back to Chiang Mai.
The bus doesn't take long and is pretty uneventful, and we are soon in our new hotel. It is nicer then we thought for £8 a night, and really cold for some reason.
After relaxing in the room for a bit, we head out for some festive drinks. It is starting to feel very Christmassy, and after eating a lovely fish curry dish in a very busy restaurant, we head out to some bars. The first stop is a small rock bar in which we are the only customers. After a game of pool we leave and end up in a small restaurant taking advantage of some cheap beer. We soon feel we fancy somewhere with a larger crowd and head to a square of bars near where we used to say. Some of the bars are packed, some more empty. We start in another rock bar, and Amy samples the Thai rum which is very nice. Next up we go to Zoe in yellow, a large bar which is packed full. After nearly being charged double for drinks (luckily Amy was on the ball), we head off to a great reggae bar where a really good band are playing. Here we drink more, and more, and more.
The rest of the night is a bit hazy. After eating some burritos from a street vendor, we head back to the room. After laying down and turning the lights off, unfortunately my burrito resurfaces. It's not going to be a nice day tomorrow.Baca selengkapnya
Panda House, Chiang Mai, Day 2
22 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Ouch! The realisation of what happened last night soon hits on me when I notice the bed sheet on the bathroom floor. After telling the incredibly understanding maids we are moved rooms, and the pain from my hangover is the only thing stronger then the embarrassment I feel. Safe to say we are out of the swing of heavy drinking after being out here.
Amy, who is usually the one with her head in the toilet, is surprisingly spritely. I, on the other hand, only leave bed for more trips to the toilet.
Amy gets fed up of me after a while and heads out alone for some dinner, leaving me to wallow in self pity watching alien vs predator. It isn't until 5 o clock when I surface. We get something to eat, a burger king that tastes like heaven in a bun, and go back to the room. Not the best day, but we move to our nice hotel tomorrow for five days over Christmas. Hopefully my hangover will be gone by then.Baca selengkapnya
Huean Pak De, Chiang Mai, Day 1
23 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ 🌙 23 °C
Christmas is now officially starting. As we move into our fancy new hostel it begins to feel rather festive. The hangover from the previous day has diminished and we are ready to do our Christmas shopping.
After checking out from the incredibly understanding and lovely hotel, we drop our bags off at the new and go out for dinner. We then get 50 pound each out of the bank and head off to spend it. This would be relatively easy in England, but out here where t-shirts are £2.50 it is rather hard. After walking around a few shops we can finally check in to our hotel. It is lovely. The room is very big, very clean and has a kettle with tea and coffees which is a special luxury out here!
We chill out for a bit before heading out again to try and spend a bit more. Our target is the Saturday market, and we plan to get there at 5pm when it begins to avoid the queues. As we go, it isn't too busy, and we manage to do a bit more shopping done. It is a lot less crazy then the usual markets around here (yet) and some of the stalls are lovely. We manage to buy a few more presents which takes us to about 25 pound each, and then give up spending anymore as it is too hard.
We decide it is time to leave as the place keeps getting busier and busier, and soon enough we realise we made the right choice as on the final stretch of the exit journey is spent bustling our way through a completely packed street. After a very stressful ten minutes we finally make it into the fresh air and can breathe once again. The walk back into the old town is lovely as we pass through the walls. Amy then has a fantastic plan to spend some of the money that was meant to be allocated to presents on food and drink that we can keep in the fridge over Christmas. We get back to the hotel with bags full of booze and chocolate and stock the fridge. After going out to grab something to eat we head back and have a quiet night, making the most of the five days off from exerting travelling that we have afforded ourselves for the festive season.Baca selengkapnya
Huean Pak De, Chiang Mai, Day 2
24 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
It's Christmas Eve, and we spend most of the day doing exactly what people should on this day. That is eating food and watching Christmas films in bed. After going for a walk in which we booked our Christmas dinner for tomorrow, we head back and do more of the same.
Before we know it we, the night has drawn in, and we head out for pizza and beer. We then decide to have more beers. It is an exciting night, and the Santa hats are out in force in Chiang Mai. It gets to around 10 o clock, and we decide to head home for the night, but on the way out from the reggae bar which we visited a few days ago, we bump into some friends from home we met yesterday. A quick drink with them turns into a few more drinks, and soon enough the bars are shutting and it is Christmas day.
It is about 1am when we arrive back to the hotel and Amy rings her Mum to wish her a happy Christmas. The phone call is abruptly ended when an American woman from next door scolds us for being too loud. We say sorry after being told we are very rude (for talking to someone on Christmas day) and go to sleep, ready for a Thailand Christmas tomorrow!Baca selengkapnya
Huean Pak De, Chiang Mai, Day 3
25 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ 🌙 24 °C
It's Christmas!
I didn't believe in Christmas miracles, until I saw Amy awake and very hyper at 6am. Amy, who I have been told on many occasions to not bother until at least 10, wakes me up and is very excited for the day ahead. It takes me a few more hours to finally wake up and again the beer from last night is making me feel rather ill.
Most of the day is spent doing what we did yesterday. We spend time ringing the family and listening to Christmas songs and again it is lovely to spend time relaxing and chilling out. Apart from a walk in the afternoon to get some food, we only leave the room to get our Christmas dinner.
The UnIrish pub is a delightful little place, and after a drink and a chat with a very talkative Australian who we met a few days ago, we head outside to our seats. Christmas hats are on, and everyone on our ten man table is as jovial and friendly as people should be on Christmas day (not telling people off for talking). The starter is soup, and it is one of the best I have ever tasted. The main is also lovely, with turkey, ham, roast potatoes, veg, and gravy (which is the best Christmas present we could ask for). Unfortunately there were no pigs and blankets or Yorkshire puddings (so don't worry Mum, your's is still better). Amy gets a vegetarian roll which would have probably fed everyone on our table it was so big, and as dessert rolls by we are both too full to get any. It is a lovely night and we are sat next to an Australian couple who are great to talk to. the conversation flows as well as the beer, and overall it is a great Christmas night.
After we leave, we stop off for a few mojitos in a bar, before going back to the room an watching a Christmas movie in bed. It has been an odd day, and one that we have been excited for and kind of dreading at the same time. As we go to sleep though, with bellies so full of food and alcohol that we can barely move, it doesn't feel too diīfferent after all!Baca selengkapnya
Huean Pak De, Chiang Mai, Day 4
26 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
So boxing day has already come around, and as always Christmas has seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
We are both very much still in the stay in bed and watch movies state of mind that usually accompanies Christmas at home, and this leads to another slow morning. After grabbing some dinner, again at the great cafe near us that does a fruit shake and a big meal for 65 baht (£1.50ish), we decide to do what we initially planned to do on Christmas Eve and go and see Star Wars.
Obviously we are very excited for the film (well, I am) but it is also very interesting to see a Thai cinema. It does not dissapoint, with some of the comfoest cinema seats I have ever sat in. We face a slight rush to make it there, and arrive a few minutes before start time, unsure if you are bombarded with adverts like England or if start time means start time.
If anything, there are more adverts, and it is around half an hour until we stand for the national anthem and the film starts. The patriotism on show and the love for the King is incredible, and it really shows everywhere you go.
The film is great on a huge screen with sound effects that rattle your ear drums, and is truly an experience. Even Amy, who before this had seen one Star Wars film which she hated, enjoyed it, which is really saying something.
We get a taxi back and get dropped off at the same restaurant we ate at on Christmas Eve. We again have the pizza as it is so good and there is only so much Pad Thai a man can eat!
After that we walk home, before relaxing for the night, sad that tomorrow is the final day of our Christmas break, and the final night in this lovely hotel.Baca selengkapnya
Heuan Pak Da, Chiang Mai, Day 5
27 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ 🌧 18 °C
The final day has arrived and we spend it doing what we have done most of the time we have been here. Unfortunately, as we did plan on doing a bit more today, he first rain we have had in months seems to pour down all day. The first time we do go out we spend all our time running from restaurant to restaurant trying to find somewhere to eat that offers a bit of shelter. We finally settle on a small place where Amy asks for a non-spicy papaya salad and ends up getting a very spicy one.
With the prospect of a ten hour bus journey tomorrow looming ominously in our minds, we pack our bags, and prepare ourselves for the ordeal. Luckily the bus isn't until 10am so we don't have an early wake up call to worry about as well.
As night draws in we take advantage of a gap in the rain and head to a small but nice restaurant. It is freezing outside so we choose a table inside. It is a lovely place, which is a big contrast to the woman who owns it, who is as steely faced and unwelcoming as they come. The food is great, and we leave very full amd very quickly, hoping to avoid the wrath of the scary lady.
We are sad our time in Chiang Mai has come to an end, but after a total of almost ten days here overall, it is time to move on for sure. It is a great place though, and we really feel at home here now. We couldn't have picked anywhere better for our Christmas in Thailand!Baca selengkapnya
Mad cow hostel, Bangkok, Day 1
28 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
And so it begins. We have spent a total of about 27 days working our way slowly North, and now in one bus journey we are making the journey back. We say bye to Heuan Pak De and grab an uber to the station pretty early, still in the mindset of Vietnam where buses leave and arrive at any time they want, and wait about for around 45 minutes until our bus turns up. It is not a bad bus, even if we end up on the front seats which I am certain have the least leg room. At least there is a toilet on board.
When we get on we are given a free blanket and neck pillow thing, plus a bottle of water and two buns. As the rain comes down again, we set off. The hours soon pass as we work our way through the series downloaded on our phones and read a bit, and before we know it we are getting another free meal in a small cafe by the side of the motorway. After that we set off again, for the final leg of our journey.
When we arrive in Bangkok we are dropped off at a bus stop well out of town, so we grab a taxi, and thoroughly annoy our driver by making him go on the meter. It takes about 30 minutes to get the hotel, and we prey for something comfortable to rest in after a very long day. What we get is a tiny room with the loudest air con mahine we have encountered yet. Add that to a bathroom shared between about 6 rooms and it isn't great. We only booked it as it is near the passport pick up tomorrow, so we don't expect much from the surrounding area, but it is actually surprisingly nice. We grab a few sandwiches for yea before heading back to the room, exhausted and ready for a much easier day tomorrow (hopefully).Baca selengkapnya
Tara Place, Bangkok, Day 1
29 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
It isn't the nicest hotel in the World to wake up in, so we don't hang around for long. After leaving our bags in the room because he reception was empty, we head to the passport place, hoping we can pick it up and sort the visa out there and then. It seems to be goig well as the passport is handed over with no faults, but then we are told they can't do visas here, and we have to go to the immigration building. Of course, after checking on the map, the immigration building is a long way away.
Back to the hotel we go. Still no-one on reception. The thought of lumping around our backpacks all day is not nice, so we leave our bags in a luggage cupboard and hope they will be safe there. Fingers crossed!
A taxi would be very expensive, so we decide to take the skytrain. After managing to grab ourselves a ticket, we push our way onto the packed carriage. Luckily, it empties out after a few more stops, and we have a bit of room to try and work out our stop. We pull in and jump off, before grabbing a local bus that we hope is the right one. The ticket officer is very nice and tells us when to get off, and we jump into a taxi for the final leg of our journey.
We are finally at the immigration building, and what a building it is. A main foyer that could fit a football pitch in seems rather wasted as it is completely empty. We work our way to immiration with the hope that we won't be too long. We do have a lovely hotel waiting for us in Bangkok.
This immigration centre is a lot more formal (and scary) then Chiang Mai. Amy fills in her forms and we wait around 45 minutes for her number. When it rings she walks in and I sit in the waiting room, feeling bad about not going in but apparently shorts flip flops aren't correct attire to wear to an immigration interview.
After a few minutes Amy returns and immediately I know it hasn't gone well. She utters the words 'we need to go back to the border' with tears in her eyes, and leads me to the inteview room. The incredibly unhelpful woman tells us that the computer was down as we passed through immigration, so withour her passport with the visa stamp and any record of her passing through the border on the 2nd of december, we can't extend her visa. At this point I am preparing myself for a lovely week with Helen on a beach in Thailand as Amy goes on a visa run. We are offered (or we forced) one last vestige of hope as we ask them to ring the border. It seems like the logical thing considering the border is a 5 hour and 50 quid bus journey journey each way!
It's dinner break and we are requested to leave, as 'I'm hungry' is yelled at us from behind a desk. Over some burgers Amy contemplates whether she will go to prison as an illegal immigrant, and how to get he border. It is a long dinner, but the burgers were delicious.
1 o clock rolls round and we are back in the office, this time speaking to a very helpful and nice lady who tells us she will make some calls to the Cambodian border, but still says we will have to go to the border. As Helen arrives tomorrow, we say we can't. She makes some calls and tells us to wait, and so a couple of hours that are more suspenseful then the Jeremy Kyle lie detector tests plays out. We discuss tactics, and wait for the dreaded ring of the phone.
A coffee and half an afternoon down and we get the call. 'I regret to inform you that you have to go to the border'. Just what we didn't want to hear. We trudge back upstaira very dejectedly to pick up Amy's passport. The phone rings again, but we ignore it as we already at the office door. The woman looks happy, which is confusing, until she tells us that just after she called us someone called (who this wonderful person was is a mystery to us) and they have found Amy's information. We are chuffed! They keep Amy's passport and around half an hour later she has her visa extension stamped in. What a relief! We have gone from feeling awful to being very happy, and the cramped combination of local bus and skytrain on the way back seems fine, even enjoyable.
Back at the first hotel, we collect our bags (still no-one on reception) and get in a tuk tuk to our next place. It is very busy and the driver is getting increasingly annoyed as a 10 minute journey turns into 45.
We arrive at Tara's place, a hotel booked and paid for a long time ago in anticipation of Helen's visit, and it is amazing. Just what we need after today!
Apart from going out for something to eat, we don't go out again, instead opting for a few relaxing beers in the room. A lovely ending to what has been a rollercoaster day!Baca selengkapnya
Tara Place, Bangkok, Day 2
30 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ 🌙 30 °C
We wake up still elated from the fay before, and treat ourselves to a bit of a lie in. After the ten hour bus ride and the drama of yesterday we feel pretty drained. Our only job for the day is to get to the airport and get Helen.
We head off to the travel shops that advertise cheap minibuses but unfortunately they are all booked up for the day. Local bus it is! As we ask a few locals the way and get some rather confusing answers, we soon find ourselves stood with a big crowd somewhere that we think is right. After yesterday, our luck definitely seems to be in, as the bus rolls up a few minutes after we arrive. We jump on for 60 baht each (£1.50), whij was half what we were going to pay for the minibus, and end up making it in good time.
After grabbing some dinner in the airport, it is about time for Helen to arrive. We stand at arrivals for probably around 45 minutes until we see her making her way across from the other gate to where we were waiting. Our two has become a three, and after seeig the taxi queue and deciding against it, we are back on the local bus heading to the city. As introductions to Bangkok go, it is a pretty good one, as we sit in the crazy traffic for an hour and a half before jumping off and making the walk back to the hotel.
Helen has come baring gifts, and it is incredible how much you appreciate clean clothes and nice toileteries when you have been travelling for a few months. We all head out feeling clean and fresh (maybe the fresh part doesn't apply to Helen who is determined to stay up). After the bus ride, we feel another good introduction to Bangkok life is he hustle and bustle of Khao San Road. After eating we head there for a few beers and a walk around the madness. It must be a lot to take in!
We head back around half 10 and get some sleep, ready for an explore tomorrow, and of course, some New Years Eve celebrations!Baca selengkapnya
Tara Place, Bangkok, Day 3
31 Desember 2017, Thailand ⋅ 🌙 28 °C
It would be cruel to wake Helen up early today, so we have a slow morning before getting some dinner and taking advantage of the free tuk tuk that the hotel offers to the Grand Palace. We get dropped off outside a museum and temple complex that we spend some time wandering around. He museum is good, with some very cool samurai gear, and the temple is as amazing as all the temple seem to be.
As we head toward the Grand Palace we begin to feel the heat as the crowd begins to thicken. We are pointed a long way round so after quite a walk we find ourselves stuck in a huge crowd getting very sweaty as we shuffle towards the tiny gates of the palace. Helen goes in first and me Amy push our way through the crowd behind, only to be told Amy's 3 quarter trousers aren't long enough for admittance. I am already through and seek Helen out in the crowd before we turn to head out. We have to wait for the changing of the guard which is actually pretty cool to see, before we find Amy sat outside in the shade. The grand palace looks very cool, but the crowds would have made it unbearable, so we settled for looking at the top of the temples from behind the walls.
Next up we decided to go see the reclining buddha temple, also known as Wat Pho. Our journey required us to cross over a park, but on passing through the gate we realised we had walked into what looked like a huge public ceremony. Rows of chairs were laid out in lines as we walked in and were handed number cards to clip on and leaflets about the cremation service of the former King. We weren't sure what was about to happen, and didn't want to be disrespectful by leaving. After around ten minutes of sittig though, everyone got up, and we realised the chairs were simply a waiting area to walk around an exhibition in honour of the former King. The temple that was part of this was stunning, with it's bright Gold structures gleaming in the afternoon Sun.
We leave the exhibition and sit in a spot of shade for a while, before heading to Wat Pho. It is a lovely complex with lots of great strucutes and Buddha statues that never cease to amaze. It has been a great day, but the crowds and the heat are very tiring, so we take a walk back, stopping off for a lovely chicken baguette and coke on the way.
Its New Years Eve! That means it's time for a celebration. After getting ready and drinking a few beers in the room we head off for a delicious curry. Tom Yam is especially tasty and I will definitely try and replicate it (poorly) when I get home.
We then head to the road parallel to Khao San Road, which seems to be cheaper and less busy. Or so we thought. There seems to be a queue just to walk down the street, and somehow we manage to push our way onto an empty table for a few beers. We are treated to some dodgy magic tricks and manage to force Helen into some drinking games. Midnight rolls round and there are a suprisingly good number of celebrations. The music even ended for a countdown!
To celebrate the new year we head to a reggae bar for a few more drinks. Before we know it it is past 2am and time to go home. We walk back before all losing each other in a 7/11. I end up back in the room as Amy leaves Helen stood holdig a toastie for ten minutes. All's well that ends well though, and we all convene back in the room, very ready for bed. A flight tomorrow doesn't sound great at the moment, but it will be New Years Day, and would be rude to not have a hangover for it. Bangkok on New Years Eve certainly didn't dissapoint, and we sleep well as everyone back home does their countdown.Baca selengkapnya
Krabi Home Town Boutique, Krabi, Day 1
1 Januari 2018, Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
It is 2018 and everyone is feeling surprisingly fresh. This is very welcome news as we have to get up and get to the airport for our flight to Krabi. It doesn't take long to pack, despite having all the extra baggage Helen brought us, and we are soon in a taxi heading out of Bangkok.
Check in goes well and we all get a subway while we wait an hour for the plane. We were lucky enough to get given the seats near the fire exit, which means we have plenty of leg room. When booking our seats on the plane we were asked to order food. As the plane sets off and we alone are asked about our choices, we wonder if we are the only ones getting something. It is a 70 minute flight afterall. We get served before everyone, and my odd choice of a 'bland meal' is unsurprisingly very bland. For some reason, everyone else then gets the same meal, which looks very nice. I don't know what we did, but I bet they don't get many people special requesting bland meals!
We arrive in Krabi and jump in the tuk tuk that is waiting outside for us. The hotel is lovely, with a swimming pool, but is quite far away from the town. We chill in the room for a while, making the most of the space and taking a dip in the pool, before we take advantage of the free taxi service and head into town for tea. Krabi town is very nice and quiet, which means we struggle to find a cheap taxin back to the hotel. We manage in the end though, and soon arrive back, ready for a good sleep to make up for the lack of it last night!Baca selengkapnya
Krabi Home Town Boutique, Krabi, Day 2
2 Januari 2018, Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
We had planned on getting an early morning today, but that soon went out the window, so it isn't until around half 10 when we jump into a taxi heading towards Ao Nang beach.
It takes around half an hour but we soon pull up at a gorgeous stretch of beach. After eating a lovely seafood Pad Thai, we head for a different beach though. A short but very fun longboat ride (with some wonderful views along the way) takes us to the amazing Railay beach. Sandstone cliffs line each side of the bay, and the water is as clear as it can be. Despite it being very busy, we find some space for our towels and get settled in for an afternoon of lying down reading and dipping in the sea. It is one of the most beautiful beaches we have come across on this trip, and well deserves it's wonderful reputation. The hours soon fly by, and we take a short walk to see some sights of the island, but after seeing a few of the sculptures formed by the rocks, we head back on the longboat and back to Ao Nang. The Sun is just starting it's descent as we arrive back and it makes for a lovely view.
We head back to town on another tuk tuk, before eating and heading back to the hotel to end a strangely exhausting but very good day!Baca selengkapnya