🇹🇭 THA -Thailand

👗 13th of August – Fresh Laundry & Temples in Chiang Rai

Woke up in Chiang Rai, after finally doing laundry the night before – fresh underwear again at last 😂🧺.

Changed hostels in the morning, since €4 per night also equals one full meal 💸.

Visited the White and Blue Temples – in my opinion the most beautiful ones so far 🏯.

Ate Khao Soi twice in one day – honestly the best dish in the North.

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🏚️ 14th of August – Black House & Beers

Went to see the Baan Damm Museum – very strange, but definitely interesting.

Again, lots of Khao Soi 🍜.

In the evening had beers with a German guy 🍻 who cycled all the way from Germany to Thailand in 14 months 🚴. Respect, but I’d never do it.

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🚌 15th of August – Cold Bus Ride to Chiang Mai

Got up in the morning and went to the bus terminal for a 5-hour ride to Chiang Mai 🚍.

I was stressed because there were no toilets on the bus 🚫🚽 and it was freezing cold (around 15°C 🥶). I ended up using my oversized T-shirt as both pants and top to stay warm.

After 4 hour ride I arrived in Chiang Mai, shared the room with a 70-year-old woman 👵 and the hostel kitchen with a fat rat 🐀.

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🔜 16th of August – Off to Pai

At 8:30 in the morning, back at the terminal to catch the bus to Pai. I was excited to reunite with my beloved Scottish friend there.

At the terminal I unexpectedly met a Canadian 🇨🇦, and we chatted the whole 3-hour bus ride, even though talking was forbidden 🙊. Everyone was annoyed with us, but it made the ride easier.

The bus driver raced down curvy mountain roads at 100 km/h 😳 – at times we genuinely feared for our lives. We made a short stop when the men helped a Thai man pull his motorbike out from under a guardrail 🏍️.

Definitely glad I didn’t attempt those 762 curves on a motorbike myself.

In Pai I had to say goodbye to my Scottish friends again, as they were heading to Bangkok to fly home.

I rented a scooter 🛵, visited the Bamboo Bridge 🌿, and in the evening drank beers with hostel people. Later, with the Canadian Jean and an American girl, we went to an event called Dreamscape.

Sorry to those who enjoy it, but for me it was one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen: a yoga rave with expressive dancing and a sound bath 🧘‍♀️🔊. Definitely not my new hobby – though the American loved it.

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⛰️ 17th of August – Pai Canyon

Breakfast was, of course, Khao Soi again 🍜 with Jean.

Then we went to a viewpoint and a Chinese village 🏞️. Realized Pai doesn’t have too much to offer – except for people who take mushrooms 🍄. Decided I’d move on soon.

In the evening went to Pai Canyon. Honestly, it felt dangerous, the paths are so narrow, rocks are constantly falling, and still people hike it. We just sat on a bench waiting for a sunset that never really came. Extended one more night anyway.

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🚏 18th of August – Last Day in Pai

With Jean I visited a waterfall 🌊 and almost got attacked by dogs 🐕.

It was already my last day in Pai. Since I’m not a big fan of super long travel stretches, I split my journey south to Koh Samui into stages. First a bus to Chiang Mai, then a flight to Bangkok, and the next day another bus.

In Chiang Mai I had a strange check-in process via WhatsApp 🤳.

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🛕 19th of August – Pai to Chiang Mai

After a long curvy drive, back from Pai I arrived In Chiang Mai and had a strange check-in process via WhatsApp 🤳.

In the evening I met Celine and we went to a jazz bar 🎷 and a Muay Thai fight 🥊.

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🚌 20th of August – Chiang Mai to Bangkok

In the morning, reunion with Jean – he also came to Chiang Mai. We rode scooter around the city 🛵 before realizing we had the same flight booked ✈️.

After returning the scooters and grabbing food, we went to the airport together. Thanks to Jean’s amazing credit card 💳, and the fact I was his guest, we got lounge access. Free snacks and plenty of beer 🍺 – though Jean was a bit disappointed with the selection.

On the flight I passed out immediately 😴, only to wake up with a bursting bladder. Tried to go to the toilet, but since we were already landing I wasn’t allowed. Felt like an eternity until I could finally go 🚽.

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⚓️ 21st of August – Overnight Journey

Jean left for Nepal 🇳🇵 while I prepared to head to Koh Samui.

Spent the day at a mall, then took a bus at 5 PM. At 11 PM we had the first break, then drove straight through until 5:30 AM.

At 6 AM I caught the ferry ⛴️, arrived at 8:30 AM, then took a 30-minute taxi.

The bus ride was a challenge, nobody spoke English, my ticket looked different from the others, so they didn’t want to give me food at first 🍲. Later they decided I deserved it. My ferry ticket also wasn’t included even though I had paid, so I had to buy it again.

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💰 22nd of August – Arrival in Koh Samui

Finally arrived on Koh Samui 🏝️.

Was shocked to pay 300 Baht (~€10) for a 45-minute ride, compared to just €4 in Bangkok. But no choice.

Rented a scooter and rode 45 minutes to the hostel 🛵.

Luckily, the receptionist didn’t know check-in was only from 3 PM, so I could check in at 9 AM, take a shower, and found out I had the whole 8-bed dorm to myself 🙌.

In the evening I went to the Akbar Beach Bar. Pushed myself to ask four guys if I could join a round of pool 🎱 – turns out they were 18-year-olds from Dortmund. Later we met even more Germans from Augsburg. There was a man, who bought a baby monkey to wear it as an accessory, should be forbidden, in my opinion. Finally went to bed at 3 AM after only 4 hours of sleep from the bus journey.

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🌊 23rd of August – Bread & Beach

Supermarket discovery: German sourdough bread 🥖. Perfect breakfast with cheese.

Now lying on a bean bag at the beach 🌊, enjoying the clear water and writing this.

🚕 24th August – Goodbye Koh Samui (Not a Fan)

Woke up early and once again annoyed about the crazy taxi prices… this time even worse than before.
Conclusion: Koh Samui? Definitely not my favorite. Way too crowded, touristy, and loud. Sure, the beaches are nice — but that’s about it.
Took the ferry to Surat Thani and finally had time to read my book 📖 Then bus to Nakhon. Felt a bit sketchy when a guy followed me to my hotel — maybe I imagined it, maybe not. Later found out Nakhon is called the “murder capital” of Thailand. Lovely 🙃
Luckily, I had already decided to just order food instead of going out. Probably the smarter choice in the end.