T minus 7 – one week to go

Posted on by Jamie

We’re all excited to get things underway. I’ve been doing a lot of research on Bangkok – can’t wait to get there – the hotel we are staying at in Bangkok seems really good based on the reviews on trip advisor:

Isanook residence

It has a pool which was important for our first nights as we expect intense heat in Bangkok. Cost for the four of us to stay there is about $50 Canadian dollars per night… More than we plan to spend in other places, but it’s normal that Bangkok I’d more pricey, and a pool always bumps up the price.

Also can’t wait to sample the food…. Check out Mark Wiens video from central world mall market… Gen can have the fish, I’ll have the chicken. (Watch for them hanging from the stall at the beginning of the clip)

Mark Wiens Central World
Bye for now

Ron

Flights from Chiang Mai to Phukett

Posted on by Jamie

The map below shows where we will be flying within Thailand on Thai Airways…

On July 7 we will fly from Chiang Mai to Phukett. July 7 gives us 12 days to make our way from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. As mentioned in previous posts – there are a coupe stops we are planning for our trip up to Chiang Mai, but it makes no sense to double back along the same route all the way down to Phukett. (Over 1500 kms and a full 24hrs by train). Instead we will hop on a 2 hour flight and arrive at Phukett ready for the beach.

Flights within Thailand are pretty cheap – all 4 of us are making this trip for about $90 each. Again – wish I could find that kind of fare in Canada.

link to map

Posted on by Jamie

Hello – T-38, finally have a map to share…a basic Google map:

link to map

There are two portions of to our trip: North and South.

Our travels through the north will take us by train over a 10-14 day period. Stops along the way on the map are: A) Bangkok B) Ayuttahya C) Lopburi D)Phtsanoluk E) Chiang Mai

Then fly south all the way to Phukett

Our travels in the south are still not decided – and we will probably wing it along the way – hopefully end up finding somewhere we really like and settling down in one spot for awhile. But the path I foresee is:

Phukett, Ko Phi Phi, Krabi, on the eastern seabord facing the Andaman Sea), then crossing the Thai peninsula to the Gulf of Thailand side and do the islands of Ko Samui, Ko Phangang, Ko tao, and then back to the mainland eventually making our way back to Bangkok via Chumprun and Hua Hin possibly

It shows our rough itinerary. I am not sure we will have enough time to hit all of those spots in the south but will at least pass through since we will be traveling by ferry while we are in the islands. The gulf of Thailand side should have better weather, but also be much busier (expensive and very touristy). Also adding this loop through those islands means more traveling by bus which is not great, would much rather train or flying of course.

Everything I am reading about Phukett is making me wonder if we shouldn’t just base ourselves there and fly back to Bangkok at the end… will leave our options open.

Anyways – take a look at the map to see what it looks like

link to map

Phitsanoluk hotel between lop buri and Chiangmai Mai 

Posted on by Jamie

Sappraiwan Grand Hotel & Resort – highly rated on trip advisor – to break up the long train ride from lop buri and Chiangmai – plan to only spend a few hours in lopburi – can arrive here in the evening. Maybe take a bus to sukkothai. I am trying to figure out what date we will want to fly south… Because I need to book the air tickets now, but want also ensure I leave ourselves enough time in the north.

Train to Chiang Mai

Posted on by Jamie

We will be traveling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai during the first week to 10 days of our trip – just as  video below – but we will be doing it over a couple days and stopping in Ayutthaya, lop buri, and possibly Phitsanoluk along the way instead of on the overnight train as they did.

Interesting video regarding the train to Chiang Mai

Train schedules and routes by seat 61.com