2016-04 Thailand

From living in villages in Chiang Mai to getting around by tuk tuks in Bangkok, the 1-week in Thailand seems awfully short.

Nonetheless I think I have experienced quite a diversity of things here in Thailand. Moving on to the next stop – Myanmar.

After leaving Indonesia and spending one full day doing flight-hopping (Flores > Bali > Jakarta > Bangkok), I arrived in beautiful Chiang Mai for the 3-day hill tribe trek. During the 3 days of hiking / rafting / swimming / living in traditional villages, there was no access to electricity, phone, or internet – Completely isolated from the outside world.

Once again, I was the only expat in town and I didn’t see a single tourist for 3 whole days! It was me, my guides, the villagers, and a WHOLE LOT of animals.

I told them how old I am, and they didn’t believe me – Of course, it was impossible for anyone to take me seriously when I had my banana tank-top on.
@ChiangMai

Hill Tribe Trek.
@ChiangMai

Hill Tribe Trek. @ChiangMai

I needed an elephant to take me across the river, so I talked to Mei. Mei said she wanted 20 bananas. In Southeast Asia you bargain for everything so I offered 5 bananas. We settled for 10 bananas and a cold shower in the river. I gave Mei her cold shower and bananas. Mei took me across the river on her back and showed me around her village with her friend.
@ChiangMai

Hill Tribe Trek.
@ChiangMai

Hill Tribe Trek.
@ChiangMai

Hill Tribe Trek.
@ChiangMai

The shack that I lived in while staying in the village.

That place was actually nicer than it looked.
@ChiangMai

My guide cooking.
@ChiangMai

Hill Tribe Trek.
@ChiangMai

Hill Tribe Trek.
@ChiangMai

Back to civilization and made it just in time for the Thai boxing game.
@ChiangMai

Sky Bar on the 63rd floor of Lebua Hotel, where scenes from The Hangover Part 2 was filmed.
@Bangkok

Speedboat to Phi Phi Islands.
@Phuket

Phi Phi Islands.
@Phuket

Phi Phi Islands, where Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Beach was filmed.
@Phuket

After way overpaying my 1st tuk tuk ride, I learned my lesson and played the bartering game whenever I got onto a taxi / tuk tuk.

There was only one time I was able to ask the taxi driver to turn on the meter. Other times I had to negotiate a flat fee based on distance to destination.
@Bangkok

Getting my Pad Thai and fried crickets at Khao San Road night market.
@Bangkok

Wat Pho.
@Bangkok

Ce La Vi in Sathorn.
@Bangkok

Onyx in RCA.
@Bangkok

Router 66 in RCA.
@Bangkok

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
@ChiangMai

Wat Phra Singh.
@ChiangMai

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