Beyond Rose

Nine Chapters

part III begins at chapter four and covers through seven.

1. Hat Yai
2. Koh Lipe
3. Bangkok (+ Tara & Michelle)
4. Chiang Mai (+ Tara & Michelle)
5. Khao Sok National Park (+ Tara & Michelle)
6. Krabi – Rai Ley Beach (+ Tara & Michelle)
7. Phuket – Patong (+ Tara & Michelle)
8. Ayutthaya
9. Chiang Rai

Transportation + Accommodation

All of us flew and utilized the airport lounge that American Express is aligned with. We stayed at 168 Chiangmai Guesthouse.

Chiang Mai sometimes written as Chiengmai or Chiangmai, is the largest city in northern Thailand, the capital of Chiang Mai province and the second largest city in Thailand. It is 700 km (435 mi) north of Bangkok in a mountainous region called the Thai highlands and has a population of 1.2 million people as of 2022, which is more than 66 percent of the total population of Chiang Mai province (1.8 million).

-Wikipedia

Chiang Mai – photo taken while roaming the streets by my canon point & shoot

More calm and relaxed city. Activities:

• Muay Thai live fight – there was a small party street. Experienced our first live Muay Thai fight.
• Elephant Sanctuary – precious elephants, meeting them was scary at first but so sweet once I was able to warm up to them ♥
• Cooking Class + Ruamchok Market – learned about new fruit, and made a successful dinner. We made appetizers, dinner and dessert (blue mango sticky rice)
• Night Bazaar – big selection on clothes, souvenirs, accessories. +enjoyed food from the market
• Enjoyed an outdoor foot massage

Khao Sok National Park

Khao Sok National Park is a rainforest with a great biodiversity of plants and animals, it is the most popular mainland national park destination in South Thailand

https://www.thainationalparks.com/khao-sok-national-park

• Before hopping onto the boat, there were large amount of fish near the deck. Tim and I were able to feed them
• Hiked through a cave -MANY giant, huntsman spiders! At one point, we had to do a lil’ swim – That means, put some swimming lessons to use!
• Beautiful, serene water boat ride, amazing sunset finale

Krabi

• Started with Ao Nang Beach – dipped in water + discovered snails in the sand + treated ourselves with banana pancake and ice cream
• Tim and I visited the Wat Tham Seua Krabi Buddhist temple. The steps could range to 1 foot and 1.5 inches tall. **measured by iPhone ruler** We were exhausted!
• Phi Phi Island, boat tour + monkeys + Rai Ley Beach + funky bird in the tree + tried unique Thai flavored chips, sunset, snorkeling (which made me super sick from the crazy waves and water motion)
• This is where tim jumped into the ring at the famous boxing bar, baby goat, we witnessed the best fire show
• stepped into an unexpected night market (enjoyed cocktails in bamboo, and Tara tried her first potato skewer)

Phuket

last destination with Tara & Michelle ):

• Had a good beach day between Surin Beach & Laem Singh Beach which the taxi driver recommended versus other populated areas.
• Enjoyed rolled ice cream x2
• Tim tried burger spot that was Australian owned called Prime Burger
• Had an hour or two relaxing on the Patong Beach
• Also checked out the night market

Upcoming Post: Ayutthaya