40 Days in Thailand: From Bustling Bangkok to the Tranquil North
It is hard to imagine that a short 40 days ago, we were boarding a flight from Johannesburg to Bangkok, but here we are! Our time in Thailand was a whirlwind of both adventure and relaxation.
Our 40-day adventure in our trip to Thailand began in the countries largest city and bustling capital, Bangkok. Immediately we were captivated by the cities energetic streets, historic temples & deep rooted history.
We were also captivated by local markets, delicious foods, the kindness of the Thai people, and the traffic — where motorbikes whizzed between cars and people.
From Bangkok, we slowed things down to island time on an island called Koh Yao Noi, which is located on the Andaman sea, between Phuket and Krabi. Koh Yao Noi translates to, “Small Long Island,” in Thai, and is quite an accurate description of the islands shape. Off the beaten path, and with far less tourists and bustle than Bangkok, we immediately loved the pace here.
After this, we joined a 5 day liveaboard scuba dive trip, exploring some of the most beautiful dive sites around Khao Lak and the Similan Islands, where we spent our days exploring vibrant coral reefs, unexpected currents, and witnessed some incredible marine life.
As the year came to a close, we celebrated New Year’s Eve in Phuket, which is one of Thailands most visited cities. We visited the heart of the islands nightlife, Patong Beach, for a massive beach party, where the skies glowed with fireworks, lanterns and the moon, as we counted down the time to the new year ahead.
Our final days here were spent in the northern region where we flew from Phuket to Chiang Mai, and visited the cities of Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai. The North was a change from the beautiful beaches, tropical climate, crystal clear waters of the south, and were replaced with mountainous terrain, lush forests and rivers.
Join us as we recount our journey through this incredible country, where every corner offered a new adventure, a new flavor, and a deeper connection to its rich history and warm people.
Bangkok
After weeks of hiking and trekking in South Africa, we used the first few days of our time in Bangkok for some much needed r&r aka massages and pool time. Before my brother and sister in law arrived, we had a few days to explore the city, so we spent much of our time at the spa, exploring the city by foot, going to markets, eating and shopping.
One of our highlights from Bangkok was immersing ourselves in the cities bustling markets. We found that markets are not just for shopping in Bangkok, but are an integral part of the cities culture offering a window into people’s lives and were an essential part of the Bangkok experience. Including the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which is only open on weekends and hosts approximately 15,000 stalls. We walked through alleyways lined with handicrafts, street food, spices, fresh produce clothing, art, and many other items. It was unbelievable to witness the sheer scale of the market—endless rows of stalls, countless vendors selling everything from clothes to trinkets, and mass numbers of shoppers weaving through it all, creating an atmosphere that was both overwhelming and exciting.
Traffic in Bangkok is a fascinating and chaotic experience. The streets are busy, with people crowding the sidewalks, and the roads are filled with tuktuks, motorbikes, cars and busses. Especially during rush hour, the roads are blocked and traffic seems to come to a slow moving procession. What stands out most for us was the sea of motorbikes which weave in and out of lanes, dodging traffic and zooming by. We quickly realized that if we wanted to get anywhere during rush hour, it would need to be by Skytrain, subway, or by motorbike. We had a plan to visit the China Town, and decided to use our handy “Grab” app, which is identical to Uber, to order 2 motorbikes. We weaved in and out of lanes, dodged traffic, and went way too fast, and even witnessed an accident on the way home.
In Chinatown, we ate at our first ever Michelin Bib Gourmand street food rated restaurant called Nai Ek Roll Noodle. I got their signature dish Guay skin (rolled rice noodle soup with crispy pork), and it was delicious!
Family Joins the Adventure:
We had saved much of the touristy explorations for Bangkok until my brother and sister-in-law arrived, which was a few days after us. We had an epic 8 days together!
Our first stop was exploring Bangkoks rich history, culture and architecture, where we visited the Grand Palace, a stunning complex that has been the seat of Thai kings for centuries. The Grand Palace is decorated with gold-covered spires, and home to the revered Emerald Buddha.
From there, we ventured to other historical temples like Wat Pho, home to the immense Reclining Buddha.
Khlong is the Thai word for a canal or waterway. Khlongs are often man made or natural waterways that serve various purposes, such as irrigation, transportation, and trade. Today, khlongs still play an important role in local life, especially in traditional flowing markets, where boats travel along to sell goods. We travelled to the Taling Chan Floating market, which ended up being the only day of the week it was closed! Here, we boarded a long-tail boat and travelled down the narrow canals to a nearby market where we docked and got to explore by foot, before boarding the boat again and continuing on our journey. This was a very neat glimpse into Bangkok, a traditional glimpse into the water-based life that has shaped the city for centuries.
We also attended the Jodds Fair night market, known for its diverse, and often trendy food offerings. This market in particular is known for its wide selection of food stalls, and we witnessed someone purchasing a “squid shot,” which was a live squid from a fish tank eaten live, with the ink dripping into a cup and all over their face. We were here over the holidays so the market was decorated with Christmas holiday décor, and it was very beautiful!
We also attended a Muay Thai match at Rajadamnern Stadium, a fascinating glimpse into Thailand’s national sport. Muay Thai is a traditional Thai martial art, that uses the bodies natural weapons: fists, elbows, knees and shins. We watched 6 matches, and witnessed enthralled crowds, shouting locals, and an overall exciting experience.
Despite a few surprises, such as closed attractions, the city’s energy and variety kept us engaged at every turn.
Living on Island Time in Koh Yao Noi
After leaving the bustling city of Bangkok, we flew to Phuket and made our way to the island of Koh Yao Noi. A quick transfer to the pier and a scenic speedboat ride brought us to this serene island.
The pier was just a short walk from our cozy Airbnb, a beautiful wooden structure raised on stilts with open floorboards, through which we could watch the tide rise and fall, and a balcony offering an incredible view of the local fishing village and the Andaman sea.
On Koh Yao Noi, we lived on island time, and scooters were our main mode of exploration. We cruised the island’s winding roads, discovering hidden beaches, lush landscapes, and the charm of the local Thai villages. Dining on authentic Thai cuisine became a daily highlight, with fresh, flavorful meals at every turn, primarily our daily pad Thai indulgence.
One of the most memorable days was spent island hopping. Starting early, we boarded a wooden longboat and set out to explore the surrounding islands. The journey took us to breathtaking spots like Koh Hong, where we hiked to a 360-degree viewpoint, swam in turquoise waters, and navigated the occasional jellyfish sting.
We witnessed swimming monkeys on Koh Kah and enjoyed a beach picnic of chicken and egg fried rice on Koh Nork.
Mina’s cooking class: We arranged to participate in a cooking class, where we were able to pre-select 1 appetizer, 2 main dishes, a dessert, and a drink that we would like to prepare. Our menu of choice included: vegetable spring rolls, sweet & sour chicken, chicken pad Thai, mango sticky rice and Thai tea (Mina also added a curry fish for us). Once we arrived, we were presented with our chalkboard menu written in Thai, where Mina introduced us to the ingredients we’d be using, explaining that Thai cooking often relies on feeling rather than precise measurements.
After touring the kitchen, we began by preparing fresh ingredients like vegetables, fruits, and spices. We grated a coconut to make coconut cream and milk, which we then added to steamed rice, turning it purple with a flower infusion. We followed a “ingredient wheel” for dishes like Pad Thai and green curry, learning to make the curry paste using a mortar and pestle.
We also made vegetable spring rolls, sweet and sour chicken, and Pad Thai, cooking each dish step by step with Mina’s guidance. Our meal was served to us, while overlooking the beautiful ambience of the lush greenery that surrounded Mina’s kitchen.
After enjoying our meal, we were served mango sticky rice and each gifted a copy of Mina’s cookbook, with her families recipes.
Back on Koh Yao Noi, we balanced adventure with relaxation. While the boys went fishing one morning, Cheryl and I attended a drop-in yoga class and then went to the beach and spent time soaking up the island’s peaceful atmosphere.
Evenings were spent watching sunsets, sipping cocktails and beers at Sai, and laughing over games of Uno.
Koh Yao Noi offered a perfect blend of exploration, relaxation, and unique experiences—an ideal start to our time in Southern Thailand and an amazing time spent with family making memories of a lifetime.
Khao Lak: Diving Liveaboad
After an unforgettable week on Koh Yao Noi, we said our goodbyes to Blake and Cheryl and headed back to Phuket to begin the next chapter of our adventure. From there, we boarded our liveaboard for a thrilling diving trip off the coast of Khao Lak.
We spent an unforgettable five days on the boat, returning on Christmas Day. Over the course of 18 dives, we encountered an incredible array of marine life, including barracuda, clownfish nestled in anemones, lobsters, sea turtles, shrimp, nudibranchs, a seahorse, and a cuttlefish, while also navigating the challenges of some very tough surge and current. We took part in our first-ever night dive and met wonderful people from around the world. On Christmas Eve, we celebrated with new friends under the stars at sea, spotting a bryde whale swimming and breaching in front of the boat, and a cloud shaped like a stingray. Despite battling seasickness, the experience was nothing short of amazing.
After returning to Khao Lak on Christmas Day, we took time to relax and recuperate from the dives over the next few days. We spent our days unwinding, visiting the local night market, the occasional mojito, soaking up the sun at the beach, and making plans for the next leg of our journey. It was the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, a memorable way to spend the holiday season.
Phuket & NYE
After Khao Lak, we continued our journey to Phuket, eager to explore the island’s vibrant culture and stunning beaches. We spent our time in Phuket beach hopping and exploring the island on scooters. The roads were often busy and chaotic here, making the rides a little more nerve wracking at times, but we enjoyed snorkelling the beaches and exploring the local areas.
We spent New Year’s Eve in Phuket at Patong Beach for their annual NYE beach party. The beach was busy with people, food stalls, fireworks exploding in every direction, and a live DJ.
Throughout the night, thousands of people flooded the streets and the beach, leaving the beach so crowded that by countdown time, we were shoulder to shoulder with little room to wiggle by.
We seen thousands of lanterns float up into the night sky, each one carrying a wish for the year ahead. The fireworks display was incredible, and got a little wild, as fireworks could be purchased by anyone so they were getting launched from every direction on the beach, and lit lanterns at times fell back into busy crowds, so we left the beach soon after midnight. We had an incredible evening, which also featured 10pm foot massages, leaving us very relaxed heading into the new year!
Exploring Northern Thailand: Adventures in Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai
We left behind the tropical climate and southern coastlines for mountainous terrain, lush forests and rivers. For our Northern Thailand trip, we boarded a flight from Phuket to Chiang Mai, where we met up with some of our pals from home!
Chiang Mai
Our adventure in northern Thailand began the moment we arrived in Chiang Mai. After catching up with Shannon and André, we tackled a local hike known as the Wat Pha Lat Trail, or the Monk’s Trail, which winds through a wooded hillside to a serene Buddhist temple.
We also had the chance to meet another fellow Iqalummiut in Chiang Mai, who was traveling with a friend, and enjoyed a lovely dinner together at a restaurant called Dash Teak House. Here, the owner and menu creator came to the table and helped us order our appetizers and main dishes. We shared everything and it was so delicious.
Road Trip to Pai
The four of us decided to take a road trip to the charming town of Pai, nestled in the mountains of northern Thailand. The journey itself was an adventure, as we navigated the legendary Route 1095 known for the famous 762 curves—a winding, dizzying stretch of road. Along the way we took a pit stop at the Mok Fa Waterfall, to stretch our legs, dip our toes in the water and take in the scenic area.
Some of the highlights of our trip to Pai with Shannon and André included playing games late into the evening, eating at the night market, and sharing travel stories from all of our adventures thus far. We explored the local area, starting with a visit to Wat Phra That Mae Yen temple, where we climbed the towering white stairs and were rewarded with breathtaking views of Chiang Mai.
At Pai Canyon, known for its unique rock formations, created by centuries of erosion, we walked down some of the winding sandy pathways and steep cliffs, taking in the beautiful surrounding valley and lush landscapes.
We played disc golf and tried our hand at bamboo mini golf, both courses created by the owner, Jim. He gave us a tour of the courses and even joined us for our round of bamboo golf, which was similar to mini putt but with bamboo sticks as clubs and tennis balls as golf balls—an inventive and fun challenge on a course that was once a rice terrace, with each hole gradually descending one level reflecting the old stepped flat field on a hillside.
Most evenings, we ventured to the Pai Night Market, where we feasted on delicious local food and desserts, including mango sticky rice.
Some highlights also included a visit to the Santichon Village, a charming Chinese-style village that offers a glimpse into traditional life. We rode a human-powered wooden Ferris wheel, sampled macadamia nuts, and enjoyed the simple pleasures of the village before heading to the Nam Lod Caves.
The caves, about a 1.5-hour drive from Pai. We toured three caves, which included taking a bamboo raft through cave passages, while listening to bats screech and chirp from above. The most impressive moment came at dusk when we witnessed the daily return of 300,000 birds returning to the caves, three of us being pooped on by the birds, which is a sign of good luck, so we told ourselves!
The following day was more laid-back, beginning with a visit to the Kho Ku So Bamboo Bridges, an elevated walkway leading to a peaceful forest temple. Afterward, we strolled through the Pai Night Market once again and ended the evening with board games at the hotel.
We had a fantastic time in Pai, and concluded our road trip by venturing back on the 1095 route, completing the 762 turns, and bidding farewell to André and Shannon.
Chiang Rai
Ending our trip in Chiang Mai with a bout of food poisoning made the 3.5-hour bus ride quite an experience, but we made it! Despite feeling a bit under the weather, we had one full day to explore the city, and we packed it with adventure. We rented scooters and set off to discover Chiang Mai’s many wonders. Our first stop was Wat Rong Suea Ten, the stunning Blue Temple, known for its striking sapphire-colored exterior and intricate gold details.
After, we headed to the Baan Dam Museum, which is also known as the Black House. This museum was designed by renowned artist Thawan Duchanee, and features dark wooden buildings filled with art made from animal skins, bones, and other materials. Each display takes place throughout the property in several different buildings.
Next, we visited Wat Huay Pla Kang, a temple that overlooks the city and is home to a giant statue of the Goddess of Mercy. We took an elevator up into the statue, where we enjoyed panoramic views of the surrounding area. We also visited the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), a stunning all-white Buddhist temple.
We found our first cat cafe! A calm little cafe in the heart of town, where furry feline friends roamed freely, jumping in laps and on tables. We also witnessed several cats trying to sample delicious looking desserts. Mat made a new friend in a snuggly Sphynx cat we named avocado, it selected him, and ran right to his lap and stayed for a long while! While I tried to sit still and summon a cat for snuggles, my plan did not succeed, although I did manage to pet several!
We visited the Garden of Reeds, which hosted Chiang Rai’s annual Flower and Art Festival. While we missed the big event, we still got to see the beautifully curated garden which had roses, tulips, and cacti filling the space.
We spent our final evening in Chiang Rai at the Sunday Night Food Market, dropped off our scooters and prepared for an early departure the next morning.
We crossed the border from Thailand into Laos by bus, where we boarded the slow boat and started off down the Mekong River heading to Luang Prabang —but that’s a story for next time!
Roam With Us 