Chiang Mai, Phuket and Bangkok
Duration 2 days in Bangkok, 3 days in Chiang Mai and 3 days in Phuket
Where did we stay? Somerset Hotel Bangkok, Cozytel Hotel in Chiang Mai and Airbnb near Kamala Beach
When? Aug 2017
Flight: 39k points IAH -> BKK and SIN -> IAH (Booked on Chase Ultimate Rewards and combined trip with Cambodia and Singapore)
Chiang Mai
Go to a humane elephant sanctuary. Humane is the keyword here. There are a bunch of tourist traps that charge for you to ride elephants. Please don’t ride the elephants or take pictures with tigers that have been mistreated. Instead check out places like Save the Elephants that cares for elephants who have been mistreated. You help them with their daily activities – feed them, walk with them and bathe them!
Climb Bua Thong Waterfalls. About 45 minutes north of Chiang Mai, these are called “Sticky” waterfalls because they aren’t slippery and you can walk up the waterfall. Pretty neat experience.
Take a Thai cooking class. We took Best Thai Cookery School which hosts classes in the middle of a rice pattie. You start off at a market to shop for ingredients you will be using (kaffir lime leaves, galanga, etc.). We made about 5 dishes – Tom Kha, Pad Thai, Red Curry, Stir Fry and Mango stick rice. Some of the best thai food I’ve ever had.
Eat Khao Soi. It’s a very popular curry noodle dish that originated from Burma and Northern Thailand.
Get a massage everyday. Not kidding. It’s so cheap everywhere in Thailand. We also went to Cheeva Spa for a more luxurious experience without the price tag (4 hours of spa treatments for $100)
Go to a Lady Boy show. Very entertaining. Anthony Bourdain went to the one in Anusarn Market.
Phuket
Stay near Karon Beach. We ended up staying at Kamala beach, but the area was a little too quiet for us. Not many people or restaurants nearby. We wandered near Karon later on and the vibe was much better. I would skip Patong – way too crowded and not clean.
Go to Kata Noi Beach. We found this beach on our last day and wished we found it earlier! Super clean beach since it’s near a resort.
Day trip to Phi Phi Islands. We did a day trip through Viator that included island hopping around Phi Phi (Maya Bay, swimming in Pileh Lagoon, and snorkeling). I would skip James Bond island if you are debating between there and Phi Phi.
Bangkok
See Temples. Check out Wat Arun, Grand Palace and the Reclining Buddha. They are super strict about covering your shoulders and legs. Wear at least a short sleeve shirt and you can buy cute elephant pants/skirts for about $3 on the street.
Take a boat ride. There a ton of local boats that take you along the Chao Phraya river and stop near major tourist spots. Skip the tour boats! They’re more expensive
Go to a floating market. We didn’t get to do this but would have if we had more time. The most popular one (Damnoen Saduak) is more than an hour away from the city.
Eat street food. We went to a spot locals go during their lunch break. Also, check out the food court at Platinum mall. Really good and a ton of options. Super spicy!
More massages. You can never have enough of these!
