7 Days in Thailand: Cities and Streams

Picking up groceries

After over a year of wedding planning and pinching pennies, we wanted a honeymoon where we could ball out. The American dollar just goes so much further in Thailand. Plus, it’s super easy to get around with inter-country flights, and you can get a variety of climates and scenery within a few hours. So in November 2016, we took a 16-day whirlwind journey to Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai, Lampang and Krabi.

Thailand didn’t disappoint. I’ve been to southeast Asia since I grew up going to the Philippines every other year or so, but hadn’t been to the region in about a decade. It was nice visiting as an adult, and being able to dictate the activities.

Itnerary

Travel Day

• We took a long late night flight from NYC -> Taipei -> Bangkok. I prefer taking the after work flight because you can work the full day, and then wake up in the country you’re visiting. You don’t feel like you lost a travel day!

Bangkok

Day 1

• We landed in Bangkok and checked in at Banyan Tree Bangkok.
• We explored the Jim Thompson House, a traditional Thai-style house and garden.
• We got the first of many massages at a local place.
• Then we took a tuk tuk and filled our stomach with street food at Yaowarat Road.

Day 2

• We went with Tour with Tong to see Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and Maeklong Railway Market, as well as The Grand Palace & Wat Pho in Bangkok.
• At night we contrasted our street food experience with some upscale Thai food at Issaya Siamese Club, which is in an old house.

Kanchanaburi

Day 3

• We took off for Kanchanaburi! On our small group bus transfer, we stopped by Thailand–Burma Railway Centre, Allied War Cemetery and the Bridge over the River Kwai.
• Then we checked in to our floating hotel, The Floathouse (one of my favorite hotels to date!). Don’t forget to jump off your pier and float to the end of the resort if you stay here… then grab the ladder and do it all again!
• We visited the local Mon tribal village and saw a Mon dance performance.

Day 4

• We took a quick visit to Lawa Cave and took a longboat ride around the area.
• We spent the afternoon The Floathouse, and got a relaxing in-room massage.

Day 5

• On the way out, we took a gander at waterfalls at Saiyoke Yai Waterfall & National Park.
• We stopped by the Hellfire Pass Memorial and took a ride on the Death Railway.
• Our shuttle managed to get us back in time for us to grab at taxi to the airport. We headed from Bankgok -> Chiang Mai!

Chiang Mai

Day 6

• After a luxurious breakfast at our hotel Akyra Manor, we booked a treatment at the Oasis Spa. We did a four- hour treatment, and highly recommend it. At one point we were sitting in a tub full of coconut milk, and then at another we were getting massaged by two people at once.
• Then we learned how to make Thai food at Zabb E. Lee cooking school. It was easy but I since haven’t repeated the lessons.

Day 7

• We were up early for our transfer to Lampang to do our mahout (elephant rider) training and camping trip. Check out part two learn more!