Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, a group of us have been dreaming that we will take an overseas trip together once international travel restrictions have been lifted and we enter the brave new world of post-COVID vacations. Our dream is finally realised in 2024 when we are able to plan a trip to Bangkok. We literally spent many days talking about where we would go and what activities we would participate in.
We quickly agreed some ground rules - we would focus on food, sightseeing and shopping (not necessarily in that order, but that would be my personal priorities). The opportunity came when we realised plane tickets to Bangkok were quite reasonable (not quite pre-COVID sale prices but okay) and we all quickly booked our flights. We then scoured around for properties to rent so that we can stay together as a group.
We decided initially to just visit Chieng Mai and Bangkok, but then we realised there were a lot of things to see in Chieng Rai and it would be rushed to do it as a day trip. We hired a private tour driver who planned an itinerary for us. Cat, who is half-Thai, took charge of planning our itinerary in Bangkok.
I tried my best to lose weight before the trip, but unfortunately I completely failed in this endeavour so I boarded the plane feeling heavy.
We had a pleasant checkin experience, had breakfast at the AMEX lounge, before boarding a flight to Bangkok. We stopped for 3 hours in Bangkok which was enough time, before boarding a flight to Chieng Mai. We arrived safely and checked into an AirBNB house for our stay here.
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Woke up early, and decided to explore our neighbourhood by walking to Maya Lifestyle Shopping Centre.
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We went to a foreign money exchange office in Charoen Prathet Rd, a historic street full of teak mansions beside the Ping River.
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We had lunch and did some shopping at Central Festival, and then headed to Warorot Market to buy some traditional Thai costumes for the Loy Krathong Festival.
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Fabulous dinner at a trendy restaurant by the Ping River called Chefs Together.
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Congee breakfast on the way to Chiang Rai.
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First stop on our private tour on the way to Chiang Rai.
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Abandoned "temple" next to Thaweesin hot springs.
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Lunch at a cafe owned by Doi Chaang, a well known Thai mountain coffee producer.
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The fammous and popular dazzlingly white reflective temple in Chiang Rai.
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Another popular and Instagrammable modern temple at the best time of day - during sunset.
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Fabulous dinner at a trendy restaurant by the Ping River called Chefs Together.
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Dinner at a popular riverside restaurant in Chiang Rai near to Kok River.
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We stayed overnight at this trendy accommodation in Chiang Rai.
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