Travel Tips » Thailand

What to do in Chiang Mai

Vi — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:00:12 +0000

Chiang Mai Temple by Quinto Sol, on Flickr

Guest post by Joe

Thailand has been a popular tourist destination for some years, with holidaymakers flocking to the south-east Asian country for its idyllic islands, luscious jungles and bustling cities – and one location that should be on your itinerary if you are planning a holiday in Thailand is Chiang Mai.

Most people head straight to Bangkok when flying to Thailand, with the capital city offering them world-acclaimed restaurants, vibrant nightlife and plenty of historical attractions. However, you might also want to make time to stop in Chiang Mai, as this metropolis provides tourists with the opportunity to experience busy city life in Thailand, as well as venture deep into its abundant rain forests. One of the first things you could do after arriving in the area is take a trip around the many impressive temples that can be found in the city. Head to Wat Chiang Man, which is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai. It was built in 1296 by King Mengrai and remains one of the most breathtaking of the city’s religious buildings.

Among the other popular temples to visit are Wat Prasat, Wat Phra Sing and Wat Phan Tao. However, if your visit to Chang Mai is about getting back to nature and seeing Thailand’s ancient hill tribes, you will want to book a tour through its mountainous jungles. Spend a couple of days walking through the humid forests and enjoying spectacular views of fresh waterfalls and steep green hillsides. You may even wish to join one of the tribal communities for a night and experience their rustic way of life, which remains detached from any form of modernity.

Make the experience even more memorable by taking a river trip on a bamboo raft or by opting for an elephant ride through the overgrown jungle.

Chiang Mai is also a popular destination for those keen on brushing up on their culinary skills, as it is home to many Thai cooking schools. By taking part in these foodie workshops, you can learn from locals and expert chefs about how to create some authentic and delicious Thai recipes. Not only will you get to watch the meals being prepared, but you can have a go at making them yourself – and, of course, sample your efforts at the end. You will be able to impress your friends with your new repertoire of Asian cooking when you return home, as well as be able to taste the spicy flavours whenever you wish to, which is sure to bring your experience in Chiang Mai rushing back to you.

With so many hotels to choose from, you are sure to find accommodation that allows you to make the most of your stay in the city, while also enjoy a luxurious break away.

Whether you choose to orgnanise your own trip or sign up to tours offered by companies, you are sure to find your trip to Chiang Mai is one of your best holidays yet.

About the Author: Joe is a travel blogger who is well-versed in South East Asia. Although the region isn’t as culturally rich, he’s thinking of going on Caribbean holidays this year. You can keep up with Joe on his blog, Total Travel Blog.

What to do in Chiang Mai is a post from: Travel Tips

Ferries from Phuket to Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand

Vi — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:01:46 +0000

Just before New Year I needed to get to Ko Phi Phi Don island. It is probably the most popular and visited island in Thailand. In all travel guides I looked at it says “Ferries operates from Phuket to Phi Phi at ww:ww, yy:yy time and return trip at zz:” or something like this. I understood there is one ferry which leaves at ww:ww, another leaves at yy:yy and both goes back at zz:zz. That was wrong. All information on internet I found looked like ferry operator doesn’t sell ticket directly. Only through tour agencies which looked very alike so booked in advance on internet with one of them. That morning one couple wanted to get tickets for the same day and after receptionist made a call the answer was: “No more tickets for today”… But when I was transferred to the pier I saw 7-8 ferries docked there and all are going to Phi Phi almost at the same time.

It was packed, but you still could get ticket to the one of those boats. I felt sorry for that couple which missed trip because probably workers in hostels gets payments from one of company and don’t sell tickets from others. Can’t confirm this, but I don’t see any other reason why receptionist didn’t call to another company. Or may be it is not only me but locals are confused too because it is a little bit mess with information about those ferries? So in case somebody will tell you – no tickets to Phi Phi island from Phuket, go directly to Rassada Pier and check for tickets there. Also you can see the boat which you gonna board, as I am not sure I would love to spend 1.5 hours in the sea on boat like this one:

Ferries from Phuket to Ko Phi Phi Don, Thailand is a post from: Travel Tips

Ferries from Ao Nang to Railay, Thailand

Vi — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:01:44 +0000

After staying couple days in Ao Nang on my last day I decided to visit probably nicest beach in area – Hat Phra Nang. Although Lonely Planet calls Railay(Rai Leh) most stunning beach location in all Thailand I would name it nice but not the “most”. Ok is not about this today. How you can get there from Ao Nang? Only by long tail boat. It takes about 15-20 minutes and cost 80BTH at the moment. You can go from Ao Nang directly to Hat Phra Nang beach or go to Hat Rai Leh West and then walk to Hat Phra Nang beach. It is about another 20 minutes walk, but I would recommend to do that walk to see how different is Hat Rai Leh East side of peninsula.
Day was not the best for beach. It started raining, so didn’t stay on the beach more then half an hour. Was no any long tail boats on Hat Phra Nang beach so I went back to Hat Rai Leh West. It looks was no shortage of long tail boats here.

I showed my return ticket to Ao Nang and guy pointed where I should wait. Long tail boats go when there are at least 8 persons. In Ao Nang it took about 10 minutes till was enough people to go. But different story in Railay. The couple I met in waiting area was waiting for a boat more then an hour. It was strange because boats were leaving almost every five minutes. I didn’t realize there are at least two different companies which transfer people from Ao Nang to Railay and back. I did wait less then an hour, but situation wasn’t very pleasant – I needed to catch bus to Bangkok that afternoon, another couple was going to airport – and boat owners even didn’t discuss possibility to go earlier. It was happy ending and I made on time to my bus, but don’t make mistake I did – don’t buy return ticket (it is not saving you any money anyway) and check which boats will leave earlier (i.e. more people are waiting) before buying your ticket.

Ferries from Ao Nang to Railay, Thailand is a post from: Travel Tips

Beware of fake VIP buses in Thailand

Vi — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:01:53 +0000

After staying for a couple days in Ao Nang I started look how I can get back to Bangkok on time of my international flight. I realized in is not so easy task as I expected because it was very busy season in Thailand. All flights are booked out, so only alternative was 12 hours trip by bus (train would be last resort).
Trip is very long so at least I wanted to take it in comfort but tickets to the most comfy bus – Super VIP with only 24 seats on it – were already sold out. What about VIP bus then? Agent made a call and an answer the same – tickets sold out..But then she made another call and said there are seat on other (VIP) bus. Perfect. Now I can relax.

Fake VIP bus stop in Krabi,Thailand

Next day in afternoon guy picked me up from guest house and dropped in some coffee shop on edge of Ao Nang. There another mini bus should pick up me and transfer to Krabi from there bus goes to Bangkok. Never travelled with bus in Thailand before, so didn’t have any expectation how it works and wasn’t worrying much about it, as after 20 minutes mini bus came and dropped all passengers including me somewhere in Krabi. Place doesn’t look like bus station at all. But bus was were and a lot of other people also were waiting for it. No worries. Only after talking with another guy I met there I understood it is fake (not government run Transport Company) VIP bus. What I can do now? I must in Bangkok tomorrow. Bus wasn’t full and I had two seats available. Not bad, as usually in such private buses they have more seats then in real VIP bus. Which means less leg space. So far so good, except driver was smoking and all bus was full of smoke. At night when we stopped for a break a could look at real VIP buses. Not much difference from outside, except serial numbers and company title on it. But inside it was much cleaner, had working TV and probably could find other cons, but I will check it next time I come to Thailand.

Fake(left) and two real(right) VIP buses in Thailand

This time I arrived safe and sound to Bangkok and actually it stopped near Khao San Road there a lot of hostels are, so no need to take taxi from bus station.
My experience with fake VIP bus in Thailand was not such bad, but want to know everybody about it. Next time I at least will know about it’s existence and will think should I take it or not. Price I paid for ticket was higher then real VIP bus, don’t know what insurance they have in case of accident and most unpleasant thing happened – at night somebody checked bags left in bus storage unit and even didn’t bother properly to close bags after they opened them. Nothing was stolen, but it is not very nice feeling when you know somebody went through your stuff. So don’t ignore warning: “KEEP YOUR VALUABLES WITH YOU”.

Beware of fake VIP buses in Thailand is a post from: Travel Tips

When NOT to go to Thailand

Vi — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:01:02 +0000

I had long trip during Xmas/NY time and to make it easier decided to stopover for a week in Thailand. From November through March is the best time to visit Thailand. It is less rain, not so hot. That also means more tourists, everything more expensive. So I didn’t expect to be alone there, but it was busier I anticipated. A lot of people are on holidays as me, so not much you can do about it. But if I could be more flexible I would avoid Xmas/New Year period. It is not just about crowd. Except you have booked all accommodation and flights/bus tickets in advance, it would be very time consuming to do it then you are in Thailand during this time. I had arrangements for the first half of my trip and later was planning to go depending on situation without strict schedule and list of places to visit. It is not best idea for short trip as even around Khao San Road in Bangkok it difficult to find room and need to wait until somebody (may be) will check out. Also I had problem finding transport back to Bangkok from Krabi as buses and planes were fully booked on the days I need it. So searching for accommodation and transport took quite a lot of time. I am sure it was just bad timing and not flexible schedule. So next time I will go to Thailand I’ll try to avoid this very busy Xmas/New Year period or at least book everything online. That would be more expensive but I think anybody would rather spend time on the beach instead of siting in internet cafe searching information or browsing in the town through travel agent shops.

When NOT to go to Thailand is a post from: Travel Tips