bangkok - chiang mai - koh lipe
Emirates flight. The impression is wonderful! You feel safe. Everything is a pleasure - wine, TV, music, blankets, pillows. Docking in Dubai. The night at the airport passed unnoticed. We rested in chairs, a free breakfast was provided (who is more than 4 hours at the airport). In order to get it, you need to go to the Emirates information desk in the center of the hall. You provide your ticket, you are given a ticket, with it you go to the cafe, which is located on the 2nd floor next to the BURGER KING cafe. In Bangkok, they handed over winter clothes to the storage room for 100 baht per day. We took a taxi to the "public taxi". They were dissatisfied. There was no “taxi meter” counter in the car, and therefore taxi drivers set their own price, you have to bargain. We spent one day in Bangkok. The flood was not seen, but the river overflowed and walks along the river were canceled. Our hotel was booked in advance via the Internet. The whole day was devoted to excursions to the temples. Magnificence and grandeur, beauty struck us. Be sure to look at the huge recumbent golden buddha. In the evening we left for the North in Chiang Mai. We didn’t fly by plane, because it’s expensive - 1 ticket costs 3.000 baht, but we went on a VIP bus - 700 baht. This is a double decker bus. There is a huge distance between the seats, a step unfolds under your feet, the chair also unfolds, a blanket and a pillow are available. Dinner in the evening. Morning breakfast. Let's go into the night. 9 hours on the road. They flew by unnoticed. The level of the bus corresponds to the declared VIPU. We took a taxi and went to look for a hotel. Nothing was booked in advance. It was a holiday in Chiang Mai, all the planned guest houses were occupied. We found a hotel for 350 bt. For one night. Didn't like it so we decided to switch. Doi Stupeh was waiting for us. We took a tuk-tuk there and back. We saw a temple of extraordinary beauty. Then there was a walk to the waterfalls and the nat. Park. A trip for 4 cost 750 bt. without tickets to the temple. The next day, a tour was bought for 2 days and 1 night trekking rafting elephants. Things left in the travel agency. The cost of the tour is 1500 per person. The trip began from the village of long-necked women. . After the elephant ride. I was impressed when the elephant walked along the edge of the cliff. After that, we were given bamboo sticks, and we set off with backpacks. . Trekking seemed to us an easy walk with a tour of the beautiful surroundings. In fact, everything turned out differently. Trekking was a climb uphill for 3 hours with backpacks. After 2 hours of climbing, some members of the company decided not to go further. But it turned out we were spending the night at the top of the mountain. After 3 hours they came to the village, where they spent the night. Our company consisted of 9 people. Besides us, 3 French and a couple from Belgium. We all spent the night in one big bungalow. The bungalow is located on the top of the mountain. And what views! In the evening there was a fire, bacardi talk and songs that each company sang in their own language. In the morning, having had breakfast, we decided that the hardest part was over, but it was not there. The descent began along a narrow mountain path. The views were stunning. Clouds below the top of the mountains. Ringing air. The way down was much more difficult. On the way there were snags of trees, through which they constantly climbed. In places the path descended almost vertically. With difficulty we made our way to the waterfall. Bathed and moved on. The road became more and more difficult. But what a beauty all around. Jungle, mountain river with narrow logs for crossing. Then an amazing panorama opened up, huge trees and fields. Tracking ended and rafting began. They gave a briefing, gave out uniforms and rushed everyone except us. The boat with our company skidded a little to the side than it should. Somehow it was necessary to get out into the general flow. And he was noisy and foaming. It got scary! We got out, the boat tilted and 2 crew members were overboard. One, more well-fed, managed to cling to the stones and get out on his own without losing the oar. Another, me, not so well-fed, was carried into the stream. My husband managed to give an oar from the boat, the briefing was not in vain, and I was carried over the stones behind the boat in a crazy stream. I didn't let go of the paddle. She escaped with fright and bruises. Lucky! After that, our team worked smoothly and without incident. After rafting we had a quiet rest on rafts. Lunch, email exchange with our new friends and the end of the trip. Impressions are huge, such beauty can only be seen on such trips. The next day, a trip to the white temple was scheduled. I had to postpone. The legs did not bend and did not obey. Everything ached and hurt. We decided to limit ourselves to a trip to the zoo. We liked Chiang Mai. Amazing city. He made us happy with the holiday at which we took part. Thousands of lanterns shot up into the sky. Festive carnival, a procession through the streets of elegant illuminated carts with beautiful taikas. Women are in no mood and participate in all of this. Which is what we did. We visited the night market, tried local delicacies. Bought cheap stuff. After the hike, we found another accommodation option in the center. Cozy, clean guesthouse for 300 bt. I want to go back to Chiang Mai. But Ko-lipe was waiting for us, 2 years of dreams and here we are on Ko-lipe. We flew from Chiang Mai to Hat Yai. At the exit from the airport, taxi drivers swooped in and began to offer a transfer to Pakabara for crazy money. After doubts and throwing found a tuk-tuk. If you leave the airport, you need to go straight through the parking lot and the road is a tuk tuk and takes everyone to the bus station hat yai for 30 bt. We got into a minibus and drove to Pakbara. Tickets can be bought at the box office for 1200 bus and ferry round trip. Pakbara left a depressing impression. Everything is dirty and filthy. Our guest house, where we spent the night, dirty streets, cafes, people. After a clean, fond of Chiang Mai, the contrast was impressive. Met a couple from France. They spent the evening with them. The next day, a Russian company was seen on the pier. Come, hello, are you Russians? Answer We are different Russians. We probably decided from Moscow. Ko-lipe was waiting for us! Turquoise water, white sand. It's like that! Delight, happiness dreams come true. We walked around a number of bungalows and found something to our liking and wallet for 500 bt. On line 1 by the sea. They are called Varin Village. We took it for 7 days and did not regret it even once. We spent the night listening to the sound of the waves. The Thai owner has a safe. Went around the whole island. Most of all I liked the spit of white sand opposite Ko-adang. On it, and it was decided to make an evening picnic. Fish, shrimp and fruits were purchased. They made a fire, baked fish and shrimp in foil and spent a wonderful evening with swimming under the starry sky, a fire and good company. In the dark they returned back, satisfied and happy. The evening was a success! We took snorkeling 1200 from 4 people from the owner of the varin. After the beauties of Marsa Alam, everything is more modest. But what white beaches and emerald water. Every day my husband supplied us with oysters, which we ate with lime. The weather was good once we were caught by a downpour in the evening. The sun shone in the morning. 7 days flew by. I liked snorkeling on Pattaya beach on the left. Will we come back to Ko-lipe? Probably not. The world is so big and I want to see a lot of new things. Ahead of the flight Hat Yai - Bangkok and Bangkok - St. Petersburg.
