Why did I fly solo, all the way to the other side of the world, to Thailand? Well, when certain situations align, it’s hard not to think it’s meant to be. That was the cadence for the time leading up to, and throughout, the entire two weeks I was gone. Afterwards, as I was reflecting on the journey, all I could really say was ‘wow’. Don’t you just love it when things work out so well?!
To give you a little background story, my neighbors met in Thailand during the 1970s. She was a native and he was stationed there with the military. Over the years, they have told many stories about Thailand, and it always seemed intriguing. It was a country I desired to visit yet the prospect of navigation overwhelmed me.
I knew visiting Thailand would be so much more enjoyable if I could go with them. Having someone to speak and read the language is huge. Well, the opportunity presented itself and I went for it!
Flying Solo
You know by now that I fly on a regular basis. It may surprise you, as it did me, that I was a bit nervous making this international flight by myself. I had an overseas connection to catch and had no idea how much English would be available to help me navigate the airport. I should have known better than to worry! Of all places, I think airports are the easiest places to find your way. Everything is set up in a combination of alphabetized letters and ascending numbers. This is worldwide, not just in the United States.
Solo travel ended up feeling pretty swanky. I could watch movies, read, take a nap, and walk around whenever I felt motivated to do so. I thought I would miss not having someone to chat with, but it ended up going by so quickly that it wasn’t an issue. The international flight was with KWA and their professionalism, food and service were excellent.
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Arriving in Thailand
Getting through customs in Thailand was a breeze. I only had a carryon and a backpack which significantly increased the fluidity of the process. I always recommend traveling as light as possible.
Thankfully, my neighbors were waiting for me as I exited customs. He hailed a taxi, and we were off on our adventure.
Greeting others with ‘Sawadee’ and a marigold necklace are common customs.
Evening Bazaar
As crazy as it seems, after traveling for almost 24 hours, I felt very rested. Our first stop was the evening bazaar in Chiang Mai. It was huge! Vendors were assembled along the sidewalks with many more of them set up in the arcade. A lot of local souvenirs, clothing and household items were for sale. What I found most interesting was the wide variety of food vendors. I could have tried 20 different foods I had never seen before in a heartbeat. The hard part was deciding which one(s) to go for. As a first encounter with Thai food, I was hooked!
Essentials for Traveling to Thailand
Places like the bazaar tend to only take cash. The airport is notoriously not the place to get your money exchanged because of the less than stellar exchange rate, but if you’re arriving later in the day, or on a Sunday, it might be your best option. Notoriously, credit cards give you the best exchange rate. They can also provide lost luggage reimbursement and other travel perks, depending on the card. For the most part, I was able to use my credit card throughout my trip without any issues.
Know Before You Go
An updated passport is a must. The expiration date cannot be within six months of your trip. At the time of my travel (January 2024), U.S. citizens were not required to have a Visa. Taking proof of bank funds was recommended and I had paper copies of those documents. I did not end up needing to show them to anyone.
Travel items to consider
Electrical outlets are different in Thailand than in the U.S. so you will need a phone charger adapter. I purchased an adapter from Amazon prior to my trip and it worked great.
A collapsible coffee cup holder (Many airports don’t have cup holders on their chairs. This frees up your hands yet takes up minimal space in your backpack) A passport holder. (This helps to keep you organized) The plane ticket fits in it as well so you know that everything is being kept together) A neck pillow. (This is a personal preference. You can get them with stuffing or an inflatable version)
Note that on international flights, blankets, small pillows, and eye masks are typically provided so you don’t need to use up valuable space packing these items.
Viewing Wats Throughout Thailand
The wats in Thailand are architecturally astonishing! Whether it’s the gigantic white wat, the blue wat, or a small neighborhood wat, each one is intricately designed.
You’ll find a large Buddha statue in each one at the far end. Many have multiple statues placed in front of Buddha. There are dragons, lizards, peacocks, and all sorts of blended animals as part of the ornamentation. Some animals have a more mythical appearance than others.
The most shocking thing we saw were the deceased/preserved monks. Two were placed amongst the statues whereas the others were in sealed, glass cases. I’m still not sure how I feel about that. What are your thoughts?
Travel tip:
Wear shoes that slip on and off easily. You will be taking your shoes off before entering each wat and leaving them outside. Sometimes you’ll come to an area that has several wats on the premises and it’s too tempting not to peek inside each one. Not having to untie/tie your shoes each time is beneficial.
Wherever you go, you’ll see wats. Typically, there is not a fee, but larger, more touristy ones do charge. The Wat Rong Kuhn, commonly known as the White Temple, is an example of that. The small fee is well worth paying because of the uniqueness and the complexity. There are also several other buildings that your admission grants you access to.
One of my favorite ornamentations at the various wats were the bells. They had a very old-world charm about them. Most were about 18” tall but others were so large a person could fit inside it.
Wat Doi Suthep Temple
The wat I favored the most was the Wat Doi Suthep Temple. I wasn’t impressed with the temple as much as I was by the 306 steps that led up to it. Many wats in Thailand will have dragons as part of their decor, but this staircase went above and beyond. With dragon-like deities, otherwise known as nagas, guarding the staircase at the bottom, it’s quite a showstopper. I tried to run all the way up, but I only made it about three-quarters of the way up. It was exhausting. Nothing like needing to train just to travel!
The small commerce in front of the steps’ entrance captured my attention as well. You could tell there had been businesses operating here for decades, if not centuries. Old, historic stone architecture, a huge bell, a huge gong, and other cultural ornamentation made for a lively setting.
Thawan Cuchanee
I honestly can’t give you a lot of factual information about this destination, but I can tell you it is very interesting. It comes across as a hunting camp type of place. There are temples, cathedrals, pavilions, and oddly shaped buildings throughout the village. Inside these structures are alligator skins, antlers, horns, bones, and huge shells. It’s quite a collection and all displayed in unique ways.
When you visit, allow 1-3 hours to walk the grounds and explore each building.
Coffee in Thailand
See You Soon
The See You Soon café was located just a few blocks from our Airbnb. I discovered it one day while out walking around. We ended up patronizing this establishment multiple times throughout the week as they served delicious cappuccinos, breakfast foods, and desserts.
The vibe was open air and a bit international. They have many products from around the world for sale in an adjacent shop towards the back. It’s a great café for people watching since it sits on the corner of a busy street.
Air Diamond Café
This Thailand coffee shop is one of the coolest I’ve ever been in!!
An ingenious business owner took a full-size commercial airplane, reassembled it in a parking lot, re-created a miniature terminal as the ordering station, and turned the entire complex into a coffee shop.
After placing your order, you get a mock boarding pass in the ‘terminal.’
Once your order has been placed, head up the flight of stairs and enter the airplane near the cockpit. You can even go in the cockpit and pretend you are a pilot while you wait for your drink to be made.
After getting your drink, pick one of the brightly colored seats to sit in and enjoy the ambience. Some of the chairs are facing forward, and others are grouped around a table.
Once you are finished with your epic coffee shop experience, head out the rear of the airplane down a new set of stairs.
So very, very cool!
Elephants in Thailand
Elephants have always been a big part of Thai culture. Evidence of that can be seen in the historic tapestries and stone carvings found throughout the country.
Elephant Ride
To get an up close and personal experience with a few elephants, we spent many hours at Mae Taeng Elephant Park. Upon arriving, you have a wide variety of activities to partake in. We went for them all!
First up was a ride on an elephant. A small two-seater was secured on top of the elephant for which guests climb into. The elephant’s ‘driver’ rides on the elephant’s head with his legs hooked in behind the elephant’s ears. We rode as the elephant waded through a river, lumbered uphill into the forest and then slowly descended a staircase. The ride culminated by crossing the river again and arriving where we started. Souvenir photos can be purchased with a frame that is made from dried dung. ($5) Nope, it doesn’t stink!
Cart Ride and Elephant Show
Next up was a ride in an old wooden cart pulled by oxen. It was a leisurely experience that took us around the premises. Our driver was quite comical and made the ride extra fun.
After dismounting, we made our way to the bleachers for the elephant show. While everyone was arriving, we were able to go up to the elephants and interact with them. They loved taking hats off of heads and then placing them back on the unexpecting human. They also loved giving kisses! THAT was an unexpected surprise!
Once the show started, the elephants played with hula hoops, shot basketballs and kicked soccer balls into the net. The main part of the show was watching four of them paint a picture. The trainer would dip the paintbrush in paint, allow the elephant to grab the brush with its trunk, then make a few strokes on the canvas. Each elephant painted a different scene. They turned out amazingly well. I’m disappointed in myself for not purchasing one. They are about $30 each. Next time!
Elephant Park Add-ons
By now it was time for lunch. I had no idea what I feast we were going to be offered. A huge buffet of Thai food and drinks were for the picking. It was a great way to try different foods without committing to a large entrée. Everything was so delicious. As hard as it was to stop sampling, my stomach told me enough was enough.
Spending the next 30-45 minutes on a bamboo raft was the perfect way to end our time at the elephant park. Gayle and I were accompanied by two raftsmen, one in the front and one in the back. They paddled, with a long bamboo shoot, while we sat and enjoyed the sights on the river. After a bit, the guide in the front asked if I’d like to paddle. Why, of course I’d like to give it a try! I was surprised at how well the ‘stick’ maneuvered the raft even though it had very little surface area. We floated past kids catching fish in a net, ladies selling drinks out of their floating coolers and a group giving an elephant a bath. I loved every minute of it and actually hated to see the ride come to an end.
Hot Springs, Quail Eggs and Restroom Confusion
What started out as a quick restroom break on the way to the elephant park turned into quite a cultural experience.
In the middle of the parking lot, we walked over to a large, stone basin spitting out boiling water. A natural hot spring, this cauldron of heat has become a sought-after tourist attraction. What made it extra special was the woman selling quail eggs. These tiny baskets are attached to a long pole that is submerged in the water. Our guide instructed us to leave the basket of eggs in the water for three minutes resulting in a soft-boiled egg. This was my first experience eating such a thing, but it was quite tasty.
Thailand Restroom Dilemmas
Travel can be confusing. Going to the bathroom shouldn’t be. But it can be! Using an outhouse while being watched by tarantulas was my top ‘unique’ story until my trip to Asia. There’s now a new page to this chapter. If you have any intention of traveling to this part of the world, take note.
Even in Europe, it’s not uncommon to pay to use public restrooms. This was the case when we stopped at the hot springs in Thailand. No big deal- pay the attendant, go through the turnstile, and do your thing.
Ummmm
Taking on the Toilet
I walked into my stall and saw that the seat/platform was about 8” off the floor. I noticed the short hose but didn’t think much of it. Looking around, I noticed the wastepaper basket and assumed all was good. Many countries don’t allow paper to be flushed. Never assume.
After figuring out my ‘stance’ and doing what needed to be done, I looked around for the roll of toilet paper. None. (I had left my backpack with tissues in the van) Welp, I now know what that short dripping hose is for. (bidet) Next up, how the heck do I flush this toilet?? There was no handle or button. Ahhh, THAT’S why there was a ladle in the pail.
I later learned sometimes you’ll see footprints on the seat. Many stand right on the seat and squat directly over the basin.
At another public restroom, we were to take off our shoes and wear the provided flip flops. Yes, it keeps the floor cleaner but I’m not so sure it was very sanitary for our feet.
You can’t beat travel for learning about how others live. The world is so much more diverse than the city you live in!!!
Thai Tribes
The Kayan Lawhi hill tribe, commonly referred to as the long necks, are an interesting group of people to visit. They are known for the brass coils that women wear around their neck.
A small commerce area has been set up for different families to sell their goods from individual huts. It’s not as authentic as actually visiting their village but this gives them privacy and a place for visitors to easily support them.
Everyone was so friendly. Some were playing instruments and invited us to join them with costumes and dancing. There was even a mock neck coil for us to try on. Very touristy but interesting all the while.
Thai Massage
Thailand is known for their deep tissue massages. Walking around, we came across massage parlors on practically every block. Prices and services are usually listed on a large banner outside the shop. I even saw a coffee rub massage. THAT was tempting!
One thing I try my best to do while traveling is to support local businesses that employ those with disabilities. This encompasses a broad group. It can include those with autism, Down Syndrome, those recovering from addictions/abuse and so on. This time, we were able to support a business that employs the blind.
Giving massages seemed to be the perfect fit for these employees. They were relatively young yet performed their job extremely well.
Know before you go
I will give you a heads up. If you are a bit wimpy, like me, when it comes to deep tissue massages, start out with SOFT. You can always work your way up. Soft maxed me out, but in a good way.
Our one-hour deep tissue massage, plus a half-hour reflexology massage, and a half-hour ‘regular’ massage came to roughly $20. Amazing! We could leave a tip on top of that. The experience was great, and it felt even better knowing we were supporting a group of young people that might otherwise have difficulty finding employment.
Thai Massage Conservation Club 99 Ratchamanka Rd. Phasing Muang Chiang Mai Line: Chaiyut 37 WhatsApp: d083841184
Rice Fields in Thailand
Farmer’s daughter nerd alert.
Do you find different cultures’ farming techniques as fascinating as I do? One of my bucket list items while visiting Thailand was to see a rice field. I ended up coming across two! (we drove by several, but they were too far off the road while driving down the highway)
In the picture, you’ll see a flooded rice field. The mounds between the fields help to retain the water. The overhead view photo is a super cool rice field as it was divided into different stages of the planting process: cultivation, planting, harvesting.
Farmers can plant and harvest rice two times a year.
Thai Cooking Class
While I’m on vacation, the last thing I want to do is cook. I’m all about trying new restaurants and being on the go. Taking a cooking class defies this notion and adds an immensely beneficial aspect to travel that I never would have expected.
Normally a group event, the day we attended our cooking class we ended up being the only participants. Our instructor, Boom, was fantastic! She has always lived in Thailand, and she spoke excellent English. The combination of the two led to deeper conversations about Thai culture, ingredients, and techniques.
During our class, we prepared our dishes in a commercial grade kitchen at our designated stations. We would then eat our prepared food in an adjacent dining room. Each time we walked into the kitchen for the next course, we would find all the ingredients beautifully displayed at our perspective areas.
Throughout the morning, we made five different dishes from soups to entrees to desserts. Everything was so delicious!
Visiting the Market
After we were completely stuffed from eating so much, we hopped in Boom’s car and headed to the local market. This excursion was a gem in itself. Our instructor walked us along the front of the market, stopping at specific food stalls, to teach us about the various vegetables, herbs, and meats and how they can be prepared. The displays were beautifully arranged, and I found it so fascinating to see the variety of vegetables so different from any I had ever seen before.
I’m now hooked on the concept of taking a cooking class during my travels, especially internationally. Not only did I learn a lot, I was able to notice and appreciate things in our food throughout the rest of the week that would have otherwise passed me by.
Our class also led us down a route we never would have expected. While we enjoyed our meals at the table, I noticed the beautiful pottery that was used: pitchers, plates, bowls, and cups. When I inquired about the pieces, our instructor told us that they are made locally and can be purchased at the respective showroom. We now had a general plan for where we wanted to go the next day.
Baan Thai Cookery School 9 Phra pok klao Rd., Soi 9 Tambon Phra-sing, Amphur Mueang, Chiang Mai
Siam Celadon Pottery Company
Souvenirs are great but I don’t want to bring home ‘junk’ and I really don’t want to gift an item if it wasn’t from the country I had just visited. For this reason, I was very excited about the idea of bringing home pieces of pottery that had been locally made.
We hired a taxi driver who took us to the north side of Chiang Mai. It was here, near the Umbrella Village, that the beautiful pottery was created. The commercial building was very contemporary with hundreds of pieces on display. Next door, we were able to walk through the studio where craftsmen were actively making new pieces. We saw the various wooden molds, saw pieces in each stage of the process and watched the men working the clay on their potter’s wheel. It gave my purchases an even better touch of authenticity, knowing who was behind these pieces of art.
Umbrella Factory
The Umbrella Factory was nothing like this Westerner’s mind envisioned. No large warehouse, loud machinery, or fumes.
What we found were ladies sitting outside in the shade quietly working on their part of the umbrella making process. They were each at their own station along an ‘assembly line’.
For the past 200 years, umbrellas have been made from santol wood for the frame and the canopy but now they are covered with fabric instead of paper. After being attached to the frame, the ladies paint floral designs on the fabric. I was fascinated by how quickly flowers could emerge by just dabbing on paint.
Umbrella Village
The entire neighborhood surrounding the Umbrella Factory is considered the Umbrella Village and umbrellas are used everywhere as decor. They give the neighborhood such a festive vibe with all their bright colors and designs.
Every January, the Umbrella Festival is held. Young girls and ladies ride their bicycles displaying their umbrellas. Parade floats are extravagantly decorated. We lucked out and arrived during this festival just by chance. If your vacation dates align, it’s a great opportunity to see more of this Thai cultural experience.
Lantern Village
This was an unexpected stop during our travels. It was one of those serendipitous moments I live for! Thailand seemed to be full of it.
As you traverse through the country, you’ll see paper lanterns hanging everywhere. At some locations, we saw masses of them hanging in neat and tidy rows. They always emanated a festive and colorful vibe.
While we were in the Umbrella Village, we saw a map depicting a ‘Lantern Village.’ It didn’t look too far away so we decided to try and find it as our Umbrella Village encounter was such a hit.
We had mistakenly assumed they were mass produced in a factory, like what we thought the Umbrella Factory would be like.
Locals to the Rescue
Disappointedly, we couldn’t find the Lantern Neighborhood on foot, but our taxi driver went above and beyond to help us locate it. He stopped in a store and came out being followed by a young lady who proceeded to jump on her scooter and speed away. He hopped in his car, and we drove off following her. She was leading us to her grandmother’s workshop, located in her home.
She showed us lanterns of all shapes and sizes. We saw each stage of the lantern making process from gluing the interior wooden frame to cutting the specific fabric pieces.
Thai Hospitality
This was yet another act of Thai generosity just to accommodate a group of tourists’ interests!
I looked at these lanterns in a totally different light after realizing they had all been handmade. Sometimes we get so used to mass produced ‘junk’ that we forget the art of craftmanship still reigns in much of the world.
Observing true culture is such an important aspect of travel.
If you are looking for the crafters that make the lanterns, veer off onto NongKong Road from the main street. There will be a school on the corner. You might get lucky and find a local who can then guide you like we did.
Muay Thai Boxing
Muay Thai boxing was quite a cultural experience. Each night there are matches all over the city and large crowds show up, even on weeknights. We watched six different matches. Two being female matches.
Many of the contenders went through the traditional blessing and movements prior to starting the match. The fighters went all out during the competition, but what really moved me was their compassion for the other competitor at the end. If the competitor fell to the mat and was not able to get up, the winning boxer knelt beside them until they knew the other person was going to be OK.
Know before you go:
- Order your tickets online. The sooner the better because the arena does fill up.
- The ringside seats aren’t necessarily the best seats because they are below the boxing floor level.
- Drinks and snacks are served at the concession stand.
- Arrive early (aka when the doors open) to get the best seat in your section.
- Muay Thai shorts make a great souvenir.
Thailand Waterfalls
Taking small hikes to three of the bigger waterfalls in the Chiang Mai, Thailand area was a great way to get immersed in nature without doing anything extensive. Small fees were charged for non-Thai visitors, but they are well worth it.
Each waterfall we visited was stunning in its own way. All were easy to access.
Mae Klang Waterfall
The Mae Klang Waterfall is the most famous waterfall in Chiang Mai located in the Doi Inthanon National Park.
Siriphum Waterfall
If you enjoy Jurassic Park type vegetation, visiting the Siriphum Waterfall will bring a smile to your face. This arboretum features numerous ferns in all shapes and sizes. It’s hard not to expect a T-rex to come tumbling out from behind one of the massive boulders as you walk the meandering path up to the waterfall.
There is a cute open-air cafe just down the road from the entrance. From its parking lot, you can get a great view of the ‘king’ waterfall. The hike to that particular waterfall is pretty steep and you’ll feel like you are ‘off-roading’. It’s a beautiful hike but the manmade water pipes cause it to have an obstructed view. The ‘queen’ waterfall is relatively easy and has a serene beauty to it.
Dinner, Dancing and Drama
Dinner shows are a great cultural option. Add authentic Thai food, service and theatrical influence to the mix and it’s a top-notch endeavor. We sat at a table that allowed us to sit level with the floor with our legs draped downward. Many of the guests sat on floor mats with the food served on that same level.
As I’ve mentioned before, the food in Thailand is phenomenal. The all-you-can-eat carousel of food was as mouthwatering as food can get. Throughout the two hour show we watched many of the cultural customs and traditions, humorous pantomimes and storytelling.
Buddha, Buddha Everywhere!
You will find Buddha not only in the wats but as massive statues. He can be found sitting, standing and laying down. There are even adorable baby Buddhas.
Other cultural places and items to note:
-Delicious Corner was a tiny restaurant that served delicious, inexpensive entrees. (100 baht – $3) I recommend the noodle and pork bowl. It is close to See You Soon. This is where I fell in love with Thai Iced Tea. So yummy!
-The Lost Book Shop is a great place to get Thai, English and combination books. I love picking up a foreign language book from their respective countries.
-If you get the chance to ride a Tuk Tuk or a Samlar, go for it!
-The McDonald’s by the bazaar has a fantastic photo op with Ronald posed in a Thai wai greeting.
-Try some of the street vendors’ food. Very often it is unique and not typically found in restaurants. We had warm bananas roasted in banana leaves.
Thailand’s Culture
Thailand was a truly wonderful experience. It was so much more than I had anticipated. The general vibe was a surprise, too. Being in a city of over a million people, you would think it would be total chaos. Instead, I found there to be a peace about the cadence of everyday life. Everyone was friendly. We heard very few horns and those we did hear were taps of acknowledgment. More of a ‘hey, hi, I’m merging’ versus ‘watch out, I’m coming through!’
Every experience was such a pleasure. It’s still hard for me to decide which one(s) I liked the best. They all intrigued my mind and my senses. I would visit again just for the food. So many flavors and so fresh.
Where to go next is always a fun question to ask. Here are idea to get your wheels turning.
Traveling for Less
Lodging can be a big expense but there are options. Over the past few years, I’ve been a member of Home Exchange. By offering my home to fellow travelers, I build up points. The points can be redeemed for future stays. The experience has been amazing. If you would like to look into Home Exchange, I encourage you to do so. It has saved us thousands of dollars in just a short amount of time.
Happy travels!
