Thailand round trip and beach
Day 1: Our first encounter with classic Southeast Asia takes us to Thailand. To avoid a long direct flight, we travel via Dubai to Bangkok.
Day 2: In the early afternoon, we got a general impression of the city on the drive from the airport to the hotel. It's definitely a very special experience to be in Bangkok for the first time. We're certainly looking forward to what's to come. It's worth mentioning that we returned to Bangkok seven years later, and that "special" feeling was gone. You can read about it elsewhere (link) . Perhaps you're not quite as critical on a first visit as you would be on a second trip.
Day 3: Today is dedicated to exploring Bangkok . We'll meet our wonderful tour guide, who will first take us to Wat Traimit , better known as the " Temple of the Golden Buddha ." It's the world's largest Buddha statue made of solid gold (5.5 tons and 83% gold). Afterward, we'll visit the magnificent Grand Palace complex and the nearby temples of Wat Phra Kaew (Thailand's holiest temple) , which houses the Emerald Buddha , and Wat Pho (Bangkok's oldest and largest temple) with its large golden reclining Buddha . Allow plenty of time for this tour; it's one of the most beautiful palace complexes in the world. We were impressed again during our second visit. A word of caution: visitors who are too scantily clad will be turned away at the entrance and politely directed to the clothing store next door. To conclude the day, we'll take a boat trip through the khlongs (canals ). Cruising through these waterways is truly beautiful. Back on Bangkok's main river, we board a larger boat, admire the city skyline from the water, and enjoy the ship's magnificent fruit buffet as dusk falls. Bangkok truly is a fascinating city.
Day 4: Early in the morning, we leave Bangkok heading west to Damnoen Saduak . Here, we observe the bustling activity at Thailand's most famous floating markets . Afterwards, we travel to Kanchanaburi and the iconic bridge on the River Kwai . In Thamkrasae , you can walk along the railway line and the river. After lunch, we transfer from the train to longtail boats and travel through pristine nature along the riverbanks to a very special accommodation: houseboat-like "jungle rafts." The accommodations on the Kwai, nestled in nature, are truly beautiful. After enjoying this little jungle paradise for a while, we visit a nearby Mon village in the afternoon . The Mon are among the oldest known peoples in southern Myanmar, as well as central and northern Thailand. The night on our floating hotel holds one last surprise. We use a flashlight to go to the toilet, where a large cockroach has settled on the rim. Even the shower spray couldn't get rid of it, so only a firm swipe with a towel did the trick. After that, I couldn't really sleep properly, as I was worried that such creatures might be crawling around in my bed too. When we heard a sharp scream from the next room in the morning, we were clearly not the only ones with such a visitor.
Day 5: We had a very special visit at breakfast. Elephants stood in the river in front of the hotel and let us feed them. After breakfast, we took a longtail boat back to the dock and visited the famous Bridge on the River Kwai and the Soldiers' Cemetery . A side trip to Wat Chai Chumphon Chana Songkhram with its distinctive " Angel Boat " is worthwhile. Following the route of the "Death Railway," we traveled through lush forests to Ayutthaya. Ayutthaya , the once magnificent capital of Siam, was destroyed by a Burmese army in 1767. Even today, the imposing ruins of the former temples and palaces bear witness to the city's splendor and great importance in bygone eras.
Day 6: In the morning, we begin our sightseeing tour of Ayutthaya . During a boat trip, we see Wat Chai Watthanaram, used for royal ceremonies. Back on land, we visit Wat Phra Si Sanphet , the royal temple with its three elegant pagodas. The tour concludes at Wat Mongkol Borpith , which houses a larger-than-life bronze statue. Overall, the visit to the historical site in Ayutthaya is impressive. We could easily have spent more time here. Nala, we have to continue on to Phitsanulok . Here, we visit the important temple complex of Wat Maha Dat , home to a particularly revered golden Buddha statue from the 13th century. The statue is considered the perfect image of Buddha. In the evening, we arrive in Sukhothai.
Day 7: In Sukhothai , we rented bikes. Embarrassingly, I tipped over while mounting the bike, and like dominoes, other bikes also fell over. Luckily, no one was hurt. We cycled through the historical park with its numerous temples (around 40) and many sculptures ( definitely rent a bike ). The park is a very impressive reminder of the Kingdom of Sukhothai, a remote outpost of the Khmer Empire ( between the 9th and 15th centuries, with its center in Angkor ). The ruins of the royal temple Wat Sri Chum, built in typical Khmer style and featuring an 11-meter-high seated Buddha statue, and Wat Mahathat are particularly striking. We continued on to Lampang . The Lampang Luang temple is considered a masterpiece of northern sacred architecture. Definitely worth a stop. On the way, we made a short stop at Kwan Phayao Lake and enjoyed the sunset. In the evening we reach Chiang Rai in the region of the legendary Golden Triangle. And why legendary? The opium and heroin trade in the tri-border area brought golden times to some.
Day 8: In the area around Chang Rai, there are several hill tribe villages. We visit the mountain village of Baan Lorcha, belonging to the Akha tribe. The Akha still live very traditionally as mountain farmers in simple bamboo huts on high mountain ridges. Tourists often perceive the Akha as a nuisance, so Baan Lorcha is a community-based tourism project run and owned by the Akha hill tribe villagers. During our stay, the villagers offer genuinely authentic insights into their daily lives. We make a side trip to the Karen tribe, famous for their long-necked women . These women wear heavy brass rings (actually spirals) around their necks, which deform their shoulders to create the illusion of a longer neck. Visits to these long-necked women often take place in show villages, which can have a somewhat unpleasant aftertaste ("human zoo"). Afterwards, we travel to Mae Sai , the northernmost city in Thailand, on the border with Myanmar. Here you can observe border traffic very well, as all vehicles have to change lanes from right-hand to left-hand traffic (Myanmar to Thailand) or vice versa (Thailand to Myanmar). To end the day, we visit the "Golden Triangle," where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at the Mekong River. We take a boat trip on the river through all three countries in a longtail boat.
Day 9: This morning we'll visit the truly unique Wat Rhong Khun temple. Located just outside Chiang Rai, this distinctive white temple blends traditional Buddhist elements with pop-cultural influences. Alongside ancient structures are eerie sculptures; the main temple is entirely white and adorned with mirrors, and to reach the prayer hall, one crosses a bridge over the "Abyss of Hell"... it's all a bizarre work of art and, admittedly, a fantastic photo opportunity . Also worth seeing are the Blue Temple and, especially in the evening, the clock tower . In stark contrast, we'll then visit an orchid farm . Before Chiang Mai, we'll switch to 4x4 vehicles in Mae Rim and drive up the steep mountain road to a Hmong hill tribe village. The Hmong are indigenous tribes from southern China and parts of Southeast Asia who also live in forested mountain regions (like the Akha). Accordingly, our lodge tonight is beautifully situated. Before going to sleep, we explored the village and actually found a small grocery store. Since some of our group regularly have a thirst for beer, we managed to drink the store's entire beer supply. The atmosphere was wonderful. The walk back to our accommodations in the dark was a bit challenging.
Day 10: After a wonderful night in the mountains, we visit an elephant working camp. We take the opportunity to ride one of these gentle giants. These days, elephant riding is not offered in most regions to protect the animals. We then continue towards Chiang Mai. On the way, we visit a buffalo training camp and learn more about the working methods of Thai farmers with their buffalo and about traditional farming practices. We end the day with a relaxing raft trip before arriving in Chiang Mai , the "Rose of the North."
Day 11: We start the day in Chiang Mai at the San Kampaeng artisan village. It's quite interesting to watch the craftspeople at work and experience their skills under simple conditions. Afterwards, a visit to the impressive mountain temple Wat Doi Suthep is on the agenda. Even though the climb up the 306 steps seems strenuous, a visit is a must. Wat Doi Suthep is the landmark of Chiang Mai, with its famous gilded chedi, which is said to contain a relic of the Buddha. The entire complex is very beautiful. Moreover, on clear days, there is a magnificent view from the top over the entire Chiang Mai valley. Our wonderful tour through Northern Thailand ends with a farewell dinner. Looking back, we have to say that this trip was one of the most beautiful, interesting, and varied. It's also true that the tour group and the tour guide have to be a good fit.
Day 12: From Chiang Mai we fly back to Bangkok. Since we booked a beach extension , we continue on to Hua Hin. We manage the long drive well, as the anticipation of our beach hotel keeps us going.
Days 13 to 18: First off, our stay in Hua Hin means we remain in the Gulf of Thailand , while most tourists vacation further south on the Andaman Sea side. The beaches in Hua Hin are lovely, but they don't compare to the "typical" beaches with their emerald-green, crystal-clear water in the Thai islands. Now is the perfect time to relax, swim, and simply unwind. We can stroll through the town and enjoy the delicious Thai street food at the markets. We also take a day trip to the nearby pineapple fields , the Pa La U Waterfall , and Wat Huay Mongkol . And so the last days of our trip pass, and we return home with wonderful memories.
Finally, in our knowledge section, here are a few tips about the dream islands in Thailand. Ko Samui: for all-round vacationers Ko Lipe: for beach lovers Ko Mak: for those seeking peace and quiet Ko Kood: for nature lovers Ko Madsum: for snorkelers Ko Ngai: for those wanting to slow down Ko Kut: for romantics Ko Wai: for those who prefer a more relaxed pace Ko Bulon Lae: for treasure hunters Ko Tao: for divers Ko Phangan: for partygoers