Day 9: Bangkok to Chiang Mai – Grab Fails and Plunge Pool Dreams

Lesson learned: Grab isn’t Uber, and 500 THB for a taxi to DMK Airport is the Bangkok tax you can’t avoid. At the airport, the queues resembled the city traffic—chaotic, endless, and requiring the occasional elbow. 

There Is a golf course in the middle of the runways at the Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport! 

Quick flight later, we landed in Chiang Mai: a mini Bangkok with mountains. Grab redeemed itself and whisked us to our hotel, THEE Vijit Lanna, a boutique dream, complete with a plunge pool and loads of hot water (rare joy alert).

Across the bustling street, we witnessed a guy lay down his scooter seconds after leaving the rental shop—a solid reminder that our scooter debut is best saved for Bermuda.

—delicious, a bit pricey, but worth it. Afterward, a 7/11 snack run and an early night. Big day ahead!

An ambitious itinerary and a 7:30 AM pickup led to a challenging hike to a stunning waterfall. Kim bravely tumbled but walked away unscathed, proving that feeling 20 and being 20 are worlds apart. Lunch: pad thai, lime soda, and ice cream—jungle dining perfection.

Next up was river tubing. Scenic, yes, but too long (and the water, let’s say, 

). Elephants stole the show but made sure we kept our distance, lest we become their new toy. Rob conquered a steep waterslide while Kim opted out, tapping out of adventure for a warm shower. Eleven hours later, we swore off strenuous treks for a bit.

Dinner turned into a wander, discovering Khao Soi at 

—fantastic Northern Thai food. We capped the night at Lanna Square, watching kids breakdance like ‘90s Fly Girls. Rob was so jet-lagged he nodded off mid-walk, so we kept him awake till midnight. Mission: sleep adjustment, successful!

Day 11: Massage Therapy and Goodbye, Chiang Mai

 (don’t worry, no orange jumpsuits). Two hours later, he declared it life-changing, thanks to Nuree’s masterful elbows and tiger balm oil. Pro tip: go early to avoid the crowds.

After a highly civilized lunch, we breezed through airport security despite luggage that could double as kettlebells. Chiang Mai, you’ve been a ride—next stop, Koh Sumai!

Lessons learned: Plan for Grab fails, wear earplugs in boutique hotels, and never underestimate the healing powers of tiger balm after a waterfall tumble. Onward!

Less pollution than Bangkok but still no tap water we’d risk drinking. The traffic won’t give you a heart attack, the mountain hikes are epic, and we saw elephants (the ethical kind). It looks like there’s less to do than in Bangkok, but honestly, we should’ve stayed longer to find out!

Chiang Mai Chronicles: From Bangkok Bustle to Chiang Mai Charm