After returning to Bangkok from North Thailand it seems I just can't sit still. Since I've been back I've gone to Nonthaburi (about a 2 1/2 to 3 hr trip from where I live) 3 times, and now that we've finished the special campaign for Memorial Dayanna and I are squeezing in a trip to Southern Thailand before she heads home. The general outline is to go to Hua Hin then Phuket then Krabi and back again.
Yesterday around 7 we arrived in Hua Hin. We'd hoped to be in time for the Thai meeting, but having taken the habitually late train... We left from Thonburi station in Bangkok at about 12:45 with a new ticket costing a whopping 44 baht! (1.50) It wasn't direct however, so we had to change at a lovely little station in the middle of nowhere. Having been too busy that morning to eat both Day and I were starving, but the local food amounted to a somtum cart across the road. We had a bit of a wait, so that's what we had :) It was delicious - and funny because the woman seemed a bit worried about preparing it too spicy for the foreigners. (We got the feeling they don't get many foreigners out that way and we were warmly mocked for having only 3 peppers in our somtum by another passenger who'd had 5. But everyone was incredibly helpful).
From there it was a dusty ride with a beautiful sunset to Hua Hin. We stayed in a hotel not worth mentioning except that it was cheap and had English tv! (and the new spiderman was on last night!) From there we checked out the night market then had an early night.
It only took two trips 4 months and trips to 3 other countries, but Finally I can say I've been to a beach in Thailand! It was pretty, the water ridiculously warm, a few too many foreigners for my taste (ugh speedos), but we had a nice afternoon wandering and collecting shells. Considering all three places were visiting Are beach towns maybe I should invest in a new swim suit... If not, at least a couple walks should improve my feet ;)
Friday, March 29, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
Northern Thailand
Got back from Cambodia (safe and sound) Friday night, though unfortunately too late for the meeting :( Then turned around, repacked my bag and Saturday night headed back to the train station. From there we took the night train to Chiang Mai, arriving at 2:30 the next day. Checked into a 200 baht guesthouse then headed to Chiang Mai English meeting.
Interestingly, their watchtower study was held using the simplified magazine, which was a first for me, and they had 104 in attendance even though they have only 40 publishers! Apparently it's high season in Chiang Mai.
After that we headed to the walking market. After Janelle's visit - and having bought 3 pairs of Thai comfy pants and totally pulling them off - Dayanna and I were on a quest for Thai pants and tees - I'd been in desperate need of clothing to kick about in, and had to leave most of my casual clothes in Bangkok since there wasn't time to wash them after Cambodia. We had a blast and a bit of a spree. I bought 3 pairs of pants a tee, tablets and post cards and heaps of delightful random food. Dayanna did likewise - 3 pants and 2 tees.
We got back late and went straight to bed after showering and packing to take off at 6:00am!! the next day. Then it was a bus to Thapan and a mad songtao ride to Mae Salong. For the first part of the trip 18 people were crammed in- sitting on the floor, and hanging off the back! Many were local hill tribe people. The scenery was stunning! And after the Songtao cleared out a bit we all took turns holding onto the back to see the view.
Mae Salong is a Chinese village in the mountains known for its tea farms. It one of Alanna's favorite places in Thailand to relax. It's been raining off and on all day so the town and mountains are covered in mist. It's surprisingly chilly, but each place has hot tea to warm you up.
Halfway to Mae Salong!
Where we ate lunch.
On the back of the Songtao.
We decided to splurge on a bungalow (a whole $15 a night!), then went to a cafe with a view for coffees, cocoas and lava cake - mmm... Followed by Chinese noodle soup, then we headed back to our bungalow to watch a movie - whereupon we all fell asleep :)
Views from the Songtao.
At our Hotel - Terry in his market buy - it says Kon Thai - Thai person.
At the cafe.
Our room.
Out and about in Mae Salong.
Our lava cake -mmmmmmm
In front of the bungalow, Day and I in our market buys. So comfy!
Interestingly, their watchtower study was held using the simplified magazine, which was a first for me, and they had 104 in attendance even though they have only 40 publishers! Apparently it's high season in Chiang Mai.
After that we headed to the walking market. After Janelle's visit - and having bought 3 pairs of Thai comfy pants and totally pulling them off - Dayanna and I were on a quest for Thai pants and tees - I'd been in desperate need of clothing to kick about in, and had to leave most of my casual clothes in Bangkok since there wasn't time to wash them after Cambodia. We had a blast and a bit of a spree. I bought 3 pairs of pants a tee, tablets and post cards and heaps of delightful random food. Dayanna did likewise - 3 pants and 2 tees.
We got back late and went straight to bed after showering and packing to take off at 6:00am!! the next day. Then it was a bus to Thapan and a mad songtao ride to Mae Salong. For the first part of the trip 18 people were crammed in- sitting on the floor, and hanging off the back! Many were local hill tribe people. The scenery was stunning! And after the Songtao cleared out a bit we all took turns holding onto the back to see the view.
Mae Salong is a Chinese village in the mountains known for its tea farms. It one of Alanna's favorite places in Thailand to relax. It's been raining off and on all day so the town and mountains are covered in mist. It's surprisingly chilly, but each place has hot tea to warm you up.
We decided to splurge on a bungalow (a whole $15 a night!), then went to a cafe with a view for coffees, cocoas and lava cake - mmm... Followed by Chinese noodle soup, then we headed back to our bungalow to watch a movie - whereupon we all fell asleep :)
Views from the Songtao.
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