We arrived to Bangkok November 4th. The idea was to spend a few days in peace in the capital that we like so much and then go up north going through Ayutthaya Y Sukkothai, but the floods did not allow us. Nothing really weird in the area of Khao San Road: the tattooed and drunk Guiris followed their lives, the street smelled of pad thai and grilled chicken skewers, the thousands of tuk tuk who want to take you to see the buddha giant (because today, like yesterday and tomorrow is the buddha day) they were still there ...
Come on: same same but different since when we decided to catch a bus heading north we could see the enormity of the catastrophe. Kilometers and kilometers of streets that had been transformed into canals, cars had given way to boats, huge evicted buildings and a desolate landscape. Anyway, hopefully everything will return to normal soon.
It started like this our motorcycle route through northern Thailand which will take us to discover the cities of Chian Mai, Pai, Lampang and Chiang Rai. Last year we were in Chiang Mai, so we decided to go on tours and rent a motorcycle and that is that Chiang Mai is an ideal backpackers destination: good pretty and cheap!
We have lost ourselves in the surroundings of the city: we have made a route through the mountain on the way to Doi Sutep, the most important temple in the northern area, and from where this year we have seen beautiful views of the city. We have visited a beautiful waterfall full of Thai people picnicking and bathing relaxed, and climbing the hundreds of curves, trees and great views we have reached a hmong village which has been the worst of the trip ... super tourist, no trace of authenticity, only souvenir shops and people "disguised" with traditional costumes as a claim: a pity (luck that on the way back we have stopped to eat some skewers of meatballs so good which has made us a little joy).
Of course we have been determined to visit the many temples that houses Chiang Mai, in this city they are at every corner, and one more beautiful than the other, although after seeing so many you also want a break ... and what is better than getting lost in trinkets and food markets?
Every weekend, on Saturdays and Sundays, they make a market that is filled with stands of skewers, dimsum, dresses, lamps, juices and milkshakes, bracelets, shoes ... a paradise for the senses, although there is some snack that the truth does not I wanted to try ...
We get heading to Pai, the most hippie city in all of Thailand ... peace & love to everyone !!!
Do not miss the rest of Our motorcycle route through northern Thailand: Chian Mai, Pai, Lampang and Chiang Rai.
ANECDOTES:
- After 15 minutes of renting the 1st motorcycle, the wheel has been punctured ... olé!
- We bought the cheapest beer from 7eleven ... which has turned out to be a very cool, inspiring and hangover white wine (Rober spoke and answered himself).
- We have almost run out of gas on the mountain of the Doi Sutep ... so we have made the whole descent with the engine off.
- During the night of Loy Krathong a group of students have lit a flashlight, which burned in the air and went to end up in the awning of a bar ... that almost burns.
- In the middle of thousands of Thais suddenly we are presented with a chubby old western dressed in a floral robe ...
- In the area of the tiger kingdom, about 20 km from Chiang Mai, there are buildings with crocodile farms, monkey shows, insects, missing only the piranhas that we will see later in Pai ... the truth is that it is quite sad.
Transport. How to get to Chiang Mai?
We have arrived from Bangkok and we have done it with a clamoring strategy: we caught a bus from Kao San Road: it was a bus full of guiris and with a delay of 2-3 hours, it cost us 450 bath each ... next time direct at the station Like the Thais!
Motorcycles cost an average of 150-200 bath per day, it is a good way to discover the city and its surroundings.
Accommodation. Where to sleep in Chiang Mai?
We have stayed most nights at the Pachinai GH, at 230 bath the night, with bathroom and tv, clean and beautiful. We also spent a night at the Chang Mai Thai House, 420 bath, very nice, with pool, bathroom, tv (in the latter you have to book before).
Gastronomy Where to eat in Chiang Mai?
As is usually the case in Thailand, there is food at all times and everywhere, we have tried to avoid the tourist sites, much more expensive, in the street you can eat for 30-40 baths quietly (eg on the outside of the north wall they mount beach bars for dinner).
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