Opening thought
Some people asked me what’s my goal of this trip. Other than doing something for myself, it’s also me trying to inspire Asians to travel more in Asia. Backpacking isn’t just for Europeans, and travel doesn’t have to be expensive either!
Randomly, if you see some fat old guys strolling around in Asia. They are typically Americans, perhaps uneducated ones too. Europeans are usually on the opposite – Young, energetic, self aware and engaging.
Day 1
Yay. It’s 2023! The hostel I was staying for the past 3 days is unfortunately full again. That means no sleep in for me, and loads of coffee to be functional.
Took a Grab taxi ($160THB / 3) to the pier because a German said we could ride the ferry to the floating market – which isn’t true!
After about almost 2hours ordeal, we finally arrived to the Floating market.
Walked around a bit around the market
Found a cute coffee shop ($70THB) with a green house attached.
Took a bus back to the MRT which took us back to the hostel.
Went out for dinner with the Germans one last time
Day 2
Finally decided to move out of Bangkok and gradually north to Ayuthaya.
Started by taking a Grab ($34THB) to the Bangkok Railway station and waited in line to get a ticket ($20THB)
Upon arrival, I was able to hit up with two Polynesian French to split up the cab fare ($20THB). Though the driver got really confused since I stay at a slightly different location than the French.
Checking in to my hostel (private, $750THB) was also not without pain. I was the only guest stayed in the hostel, the owner was surprised that I showed up, and was completely unprepared (took him 15min to boot up his computer, and the credit card machine was broken too.) He also tried to charge me the full amount when Hostelworld already deducted partial payment from me.
I am not sure if it’s still recovering from COVID that caused the chaos. I don’t believe it’s Thai culture to “scam” me, I am going to leave it he’s genuinely confused. Given it’s a hostel and it’s only bookable from Hostelworld, I am a bit shocked still. He also charged me $70THB for essentially using his laundry machine/detergent where I still had to dry and fold my laundry myself. (my previous hostel charges $50THB per kilo for laundry which I believe is the standard hostel pricing in Thailand)
The owner also forgot my towel. The room didn’t have a window either. This is where I miss about Vietnam… cheap quality lodging.
Anyhow, figured I’d walk a bit to see the little town.
The ramen turned out to be pretty solid, though the chachu was not as soft as I would like. Broth was good, so was the running egg.
I got some Asian pineapple (Dwarf Pineapple) for $50THB.. it’s just so much better than the American ones.
At this point I was pretty exhausted. I think part why I escaped Bangkok is really to have some alone time and plan my trip a bit.
Day 3
Finally got some time to do some actually solo traveling. Got some ruins to visit and a boat tour for the day.
Honestly, the ruins aren’t in very good shape and they are nowhere as well preserved or finely constructed as Angkor Wat
Done with my temple tour, time for coffee ($110THB)
and lunch!
with a short break, time for the boat ride ($300THB)
The boat ride itself is meh (full boat, quite cramped). The view is pleasant.
The guard was trying to get us to buy tickets (it should’ve been included in the boat price) because of the scam where they’d recycle unused tickets for sale again.
The ruins really aren’t refined. Perhaps I am just tired of religious sites
I was quite tired at this point and decided to just do a take-out (partially due to I just didn’t feel like waiting in line)
I delayed booking my flight to Chiangmai so much (only managed to book a few hours before departure, lol) that I had to pay $200THB extra ($1800THB). I guess I really should plan things better now.
Day 4
Travel day again! Took a minivan from Ayutthaya to the DMK airport ($75THB). Some nice lounges even at the domestic terminal. (Perhaps also a reason why I favor air travel from time to time)
Without due, the plane took off and headed towards CNX
About just under an hour, the plane was about to land
My hostel was quiet, despite me spending hours researching for the best hostel. I somehow ended up with the somewhat pricy, yet not very social hostel. (I think lack of hostel activities and host engagement is the big thing) literally 5 other hostels within the same block only charges half of the cost… more is less?
Time went by quickly while strolling around the old town.
Time for night market!
I got myself a dumpling duck noodle soup for $70THB which was really good.
Some light social hours later, it’s time for bed!
Day 5
Slow day for me, leisurely got up and trying to figure out if I can do a food tour. A tour guide came in our hostel and was looking an Aussie that booked a bicycle tour. I ended up tagging along ($1500THB, definitely a bit over the Backpacking budget.)
The biking route is a bit out of town, took us almost 45min to pick up all the passengers. There were two Americans and another Dutch on the tour. The Americans are from Guam.
I didn’t take many photos, in part the tour itself isn’t super interesting. The countryside is nice, and certainly it’s nice experience. We probably spent more time just chatting between guests.
Objectively speaking, I don’t think the value is worth $45. I also didn’t think there’s anything bad either. I probably would have enjoyed more had I just simply gotten my own transport.
Took a break at the hostel, and decided to head out for dinner:
After that I went to a jazz bar, never been to one before. It’s surprisingly pleasant.
Day 6
Finally a full activity day – Samoeng loop. First thing was to get a motorbike from a shop that’s about 15min walk to the hostel.
As usual, more temples.
Then I went to the Darapirom Palace Museum, Chulalongkorn University.
Then I went to this Orchids.
Then it’s waterfall time
The waterfall park is quite large. 10 view points. 1.5k meters one way. $120B entrance fee with the motorbike. Definitely worth!
Then it’s the all famous elephant camp!
A bit more ride to the Mon Jam viewpoint
Chit chatted with a Singaporean from Hong Kong about racism in the USA. The world seems to have rather negative view about the racial relations in the States. It’s ain’t perfect, I just personally have not experienced such negativity.
Later I stopped by a Rose Garden
Finally drove to town for the on last stop for the day
At this point, I was really tired. Ordered some take outs. Khao Soi noodles (Northern Thai noodle soup!)
I later on ordered a mango sticky rice as desert. (80B. I could have just walked to the night market in less than a minute and saved 30B) w/e Had 3 beers ($6) to help me sweeten the day
Day 7
Woke up relatively early to return my motorbike, and strolled around the lovely old town again.
Chiang Mai definitely has this magnetic power to get you. Perfect weather, cute little houses, shops, friendly locals. Even visitors are eager to make a connections. (Kept bumping into the same people)
Moved to a hostel which had a private room available. It’s Saturday night, so can’t be too picky.
Had some Thai BBQ ($120B), some of the worst food I’ve had so far.
Got to meet up with a German girl. We talked around more to sample more things.
Some coconut crackers ($25B) and fortunate cookie ($40B) like thingy. I forgot to take pictures of those.
Finally, it’s cocktail hour. This was by far the best cocktail I’ve had. Super cool ambient too.
It’s pretty late when I got back to my hostel, heard some loud noise. Turned out there’s a motorbike accident.
I was pretty pissed that the wifi didn’t work and water wasn’t provided.
Expenses
| Week 6 | ||||
| Day | Food&Drink | Lodging | Transportation | Other (tickets/tours etc) |
| 1 | $25.23 | $0.99 | $5.01 | $0.00 |
| 2 | $11.47 | $22.06 | $2.47 | $0.00 |
| 3 | $11.97 | $22.06 | $2.94 | $11.76 |
| 4 | $8.68 | $10.14 | $55.90 | $0.00 |
| 5 | $10.27 | $10.14 | $0.00 | $44.32 |
| 6 | $11.86 | $10.14 | $7.35 | $12.94 |
| 7 | $19.71 | $15.94 | $2.35 | $2.29 |
| Total | $99.19 | $91.47 | $76.03 | $71.32 |
| Grand Total: | $338.00 |