Sabbatical Week 8 – Buyu Goes Places

Day 1

Today’s travel day from Pai to Chiang Mai

Met a nice British entrepreneur guy who owns a 80-person Software company. Definitely very accomplished. I was surprised to see someone that caliber to sit on the same mini van with me. He talked his time during the dotnet bubble in SF, then how organically grew his company (Customer Service as a service). Just sharp contract with folks in the States who’s worrying about layoffs or chasing TCs.

Checked into my dorm in Chiangmai again and it’s time for my first food tour in town. ($56.3, a bit pricy, but food was good.)

First stop was actually the pork rice next to my hostel. I wish we started some lighter.. all proteins to come are surely too much by the 3rd round.

The pork is really to die for. Very juicy and crispy skin

Next stop is the grilled tilapia.

Up next was to the fresh market to check out some local produce and local snacks.

Finally the feast!

I was really full at this point, I only sampled some fruits and the sweets. I was also sick from cold nights in Pai.

Up next was this vegetarian restaurant

I have to give credit that vegetarians are in for a treat. Very unique dishes!

Pizza? the filling almost tastes like meat! good job!

Finally last restaurant

The chicken larb is good! the real Thai food though. so much meat!

Lastly, we closed off with some local deserts! real good.

I got back to my hostel just wanted to rest at this point.

Day 2

Another travel day from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai (305B VIP) – Though I stocked some cough drops for the ride. (100B)

The 3 short hours, we arrived in Chiang Rai. It was much longer for me since I was pretty sick and trying to figure out if I should re-book a private room, which I did. (Funny how the only time I tried to plan things ahead of time, I ended up altering course)

After got to my Poshtel (it’s a hybrid between a hotel and hostel. More rooms that are private but with shared bath. Quite cheap though, only 301B a night), it’s time to feast. I think part of why I committed to the Poshtel instead of the social hostel which I have booked and paid for is the next door restaurants.

I’d say this is almost fine Thai dining.

Even the Chai is fancy, it’s a coconut straw

Just look at the presentation (75B) All the greens are edible. This is their signature dish, did not disappoint

I was recommended this pork salad to pair with the signature dish. 150B. I was expecting more “salad” as in greens. It’s simply too meaty. also the flavor lacks a bit complexity to my like. I had to order a side of rice to digest. I gave credits to the owners though, even the pineapple that’s on the side is premium grade that tastes very nice.

The sticky rice came in banana leaves! you can actually smell the leaves infused.

Total was 300B (285B + tips), not the cheapest, I think if I was to order again. I’d probably order a noodle dish to pair instead of the “salad”

Then we went to for a walk in the city center.

Bavarian food lol. Wasn’t open when I visited

Decided to try out this Irish pub instead since they offered draft. I got a local cider for 180B.

Day 3

Finally an activity day! I decided to rent a bicycle for a little bike adventure (100b)

First stop was the Oub Kham Museum (300b, a little on the pricy side, it’s also a fully guided tour and I was the only customer for the guide for 2 hours)

Unfortunate, pictures aren’t allowed inside. It’s really an amazing place thanks to whoever collected the artifacts (privately owned)

My guide insists on taking pictures of me

Non caffeinated tea to end the tour.

Up next was the Singha Park. I had to bike on the highway, though it was safe but annoying when big trucks pass by constantly.

I got chased out of the park because I was biking on the golf cart only lane.. (it was clearly built as a bike lane. It was repurposed for some random reasons)

Next was to check out the white temple. The path from Singha park to the temple was quite rural and was nice with almost no traffic.

In a short 30min or so, I arrived at the white temple

100b. Honestly not much value in buying the ticket since you could see everything from outside anyways

I got a Thai Ice tea to cool down

It’s getting late, was time to head back AH2, it’s a major highway. I purchased on cold medicine (195b) but wasn’t really effective. Thai cold medicines are different than what I am used to in China or America.

Later on some late night snacks before bed.

Spicy food did help me with my cold a bit. Though, I didn’t fall asleep until 2am despite being completely exhausted during the day.

Day 4

Walk day.

Perhaps, one of the few countries where all religions coexist next to each other

Saw a halal restaurant, can’t resist

140B with 5B tip. The spicy oxtail with perfect balance in sourness, fattiness, and hotness was exactly what I needed.

Walked into a fresh market

I decided to follow the walk path

There wasn’t that much to see, it’s more for me just enjoying the beautiful weather and getting some needed exercises.

(reads in Chinese “Thailand is a good country”)

Local flower festival

Went back to my hostel to read Rough Guides to plan my border crossing into Laos slightly better.

Got a few people from the hostel to join me at the night market – sometimes all you need is to ask, the worst case is a no. No need to be shy.

Finally back to the night Bazaar for my Hot pot (100b! incredible value)

Day 5

It was another recovery / slow day. The only thing on the destination list was the Blue Temple. As it’s not about the destination but the journey.

After about an hour or so, I finally arrived to the Blue Temple

It’s very generic, just in a different color

Grabbed an Ice Tea outside of the temple to cool down before starting to walk again

I was pretty exhausted at this point, decided to take some local food (20b for each dish you order)

This is my damage for 70b. the dishes are a bit cold. Not bad though for the variety

Had to take this picture. Can’t be more Chinese, a backpack with a suitcase followed by an umbrella in not so hot weather

Went back to my hostel to take a nap in digesting the food and beer, and soon was nightfall and time for dinner.

First I took some BBQ, unfortunately most things ran out of stock. I also didn’t take any pictures. (50b)

Up next was the red pork wonton soup for 45b… incredible

Went back to my hostel to chit chat. One American who’s lived in PNW for 30 years and was reaching her 50s was quite interesting. She actually road the entire Mae Hong son loop! what a legend.

Day 6

Travel day to Laos! (Huay Xai)

First was to board a local bus to Chiang Khong (120b), it took about 2.5hrs, it’s quite a cramped bus ride, and it also didn’t leave until 30min after the departure time.

Quite a few cargos on the bus in addition to the full bus

Finally we arrived at the border.

It’s quite grand and no pedestrian crossing is allowed

crossing the Mekong river on the friendship bridge

Took a little walk to find where to eat

My fried veggies. quite western with sweet and sour sauce. 30k kip

Fried fish. also, doesn’t feel like Laos. not terrible for 80k kip

We later on decided to get some BBQ which is very similar to what I’d have in China. I ordered some extra plus a beer for 50k kip or so. Lovely place to see locals celebrate a kid’s birthday. Unfortunately, I didn’t take photos

Went back to chat with a few guests before went to bed!

Day 7

Chinese New Year Eve. I decided to stay an extra day in Huay Xai, Laos to just see how the locals celebrate here.

Got myself a cup of coffee from my hotel for 10k kip and chatted with two Belgiums who are waiting for their Gibbon Experience. (I could have gone one if I was smart enough to walk in and asked…)

Noodle soup for 35k kip. First purpose Laos meal!

After sorting on my sim card for 130k kip. We decided to do a little hike to the local temple in town.

Up next was the old French Fort. It’s a bit run-down, scenery was nice. A few monks hanging out there

Had a BeerLao and took a nice 45min nap. Soon was sunset time.

After darkness, we went to have some local whiskey (didn’t take any pictures, sadly. 15k per shot. Quite nice!)

Dinner time was Lao hotpot, I managed to convince the French, the Belgiums and the Germans to try out.

I think it was around 478k for 6 with a beer each

We went to a river front bar to wait out for the Chinese New Year.

The BBQ was great, only 105k for 6 of us. The locals even gave us 2 free beers! How lovely. They also tried to talk to us and complimenting on how pretty the girls are.. (a bit weird but okay)

That’s it for the week.

Expenses

Week 8
Day	Food&Drink	Lodging	Transportation	Other (tickets/tours etc)
1	$2.27	$7.44	$6.06	$58.37
2	$22.76	$19.42	$9.24	$6.67
3	$6.97	$10.30	$3.03	$18.03
4	$19.68	$11.77	$0.00	$0.00
5	$6.97	$12.57	$0.00	$0.47
6	$15.63	$9.38	$6.67	$45.00
7	$14.60	$9.38	$0.00	$8.13
	$88.88	$80.26	$25.00	$136.66
	Total		Grand Total:	$330.80

(The only tour I did might have threw the balance up a bit

2 comments

Marty says:

January 27, 2023 at 3:20 am

All of your photos and stories are amazing as always!

It seems in the photo of the sign saying no urination in public, there is a threat of castration, haha!

1. buchen says:
  
  January 31, 2023 at 6:27 am
  
  indeed! one picture > million words!