'm excited to share my trip report with you! My husband and I visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Luang Prabang over a 2 week period. We went when it was incredibly hot but still had a great time seeing the sights, eating street food, getting close to elephants, and seeing ancient ruins.

Please check out my pictures, itinerary, recommendations, and tips:
http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2015/...hiang-mai.html

Thanks for reading! Feel free to post questions.

It sounds like you had a fine time! Good for you for doing the research on the elephant parks and choosing the Elephant Nature Park.

You ran into some first-timer problems, like not knowing that you have you make sure the meter is on in the taxi, but you'll know next time. And the issue of ID - in most countries you are "required" to carry your passport (even in Europe), but you'll know next trip!

I was interested to see your Sukhothai photos - not many people go there.

Thanks for sharing your photos and observations.

Thanks Kathie!

The funny thing is, I'm usually very vigilant about making sure the taxi meter is on but my husband didn't want to say anything so I didn't speak up. I should've said something! And I usually don't take taxis when I travel (I like to take the bus or subway) so I was a little rusty in the taxi department.

I didn't even think about taking my passport with me! I had it on me at all times when I went on a month-long backpacking trip in Europe but this time in Asia I left it locked up in the hotel safe. I guess it's always better to have it on me. Now I'll know for next time!

Nice blog lindygirl. Had a read and have bookmarked go go back later. Thanks for posting your experiences.

Taxi drivers are a PITA the world over. I make a point when visiting anew place of finding out what the score is re taxis - do they use the meter or not. If not what should the fare be? Saves a lot of problems ( but even that doesn't always work).

I would NEVER take my passport out and about with me. It is the very last thing you want to get stolen. Far better to leave it in the hotel safe and take out a photocopy with you. A photo driving license will also usually suffice for ID if needed.

I also carry a copy of my passport, though the law does say you need your passport.

Thanks crellston!

I agree about taxi drivers - I try to avoid them if I can. I had a crazy experience in Kusadasi, Turkey but it was unavoidable.

A photocopy is a great idea - will do that next time!

Wonderful Lindy!!!! I love your transit card collection!!!
Now why didn't i think of that!!??
Hoping to get to this part of the world (my first time) within 2 years. Learning a lot from the Fodies!!

Thanks CaliNurse! Start your transit card collection now.

Glad you enjoyed it - good luck planning your trip and have a blast!

Warm greetings again, lindygirl, from a particularly sunny and gorgeous San Francisco morning; a good week to be in the SF Bay Area for meetings.

Thank you kindly lindy for your wondrous writings. And, many thanks for your ongoing and delightful "Tiger Mom" musings. They never fail to conjure various thoughts of an all-powerful Tiger Mom-in-Law, her indomitable tigress, and an ever-charming "Aunt Agony". I'll be returning home to Singapore late next week, and all of them will most likely be in attendance. Wouldn't have it any other way.

As always, should you ever desire lodging, dining, aviation suggestions concerning our city-state of SIN, honoured to assist.

Keep up the brilliant writing, lindygirl. Signing off from sunny San Francisco, and soon to fly SQ back to Asia this weekend from an airport you know, SFO. Warm Friday wishes to you and all,

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Girl, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

Thanks lindygirl. Wonderful photos (i loved the tanks and the monks) and really interesting report. If you had to choose between Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang and Angor Wat, which would you pick and why?

Thanks AskOsenka for taking the time to write your comments. Glad you enjoyed my post!

lindygirl,
I love your blog and I really enjoy your enthusiasm and energy! It's a pleasure reading your blog and traveling along with you!

My mouth was watering as I viewed the photos of the food, especially the street markets in Bangkok. We were there last year for the first time, and didn't quite have the energy/time to explore the markets. Of course, we were there before the coup, but just as things were really heating up and arrived just after the Bangkok shutdown began, which restricted our travels in some parts of the city - but we had a great time, despite that.

I love your transit card collection -- agree with others, it's brilliant!

Paule

Thanks cmstraf! Glad you enjoyed my trip report. It was really interesting to witness the peaceful monks walk among the military stationed around the city.

I think the cities you listed are all so different and should be visited because they all offer something unique. My quick observations:

- Chiang Mai: laid back, slower moving than Bangkok, cooler climate (I suspect because there's more greenery and less concrete), close to Elephant Nature Park. Fair amount of street food, temples, and restaurants. Must try the khao soi when you're in Chiang Mai - so delicious and it's only found there!

- Luang Prabang: very small town, I think you can walk from one end to the other in about 15 minutes! Small night market, beautiful French-influenced architecture. Boat dock easily accessible to go on excursions. Easy to rent moped or bikes to get around to nearby attractions like Mount Phousi or Kuang Si Falls.

Angkor Wat: we hired a private guide to drive us through the grounds and give us a tour of the main attractions - well worth it. He and the driver picked us up from our hotel and took us around for an entire day, brought us to a restaurant for lunch, and most importantly, told us the history of every ruin we viewed. The next day we walked into town and rented a bike (for US$1!) and rode around to a few other temples, including Ta Prohm. A word of caution about the vendors around the temples - they're aggressive! If you park you bike around their stall be prepared to purchase something otherwise they may yell at you. Even the vendor kids!

cmstraf,
I agree with lindygirl's comments on the cities you are considering, with one clarification. Angkor Wat is the name of the large ancient temple complex, and Siem Reap is the modern city.

Each of the cities are very different, and each are worth visiting. Of the 3, I loved Luang Prabang for its ambience, but there are comparatively less sights there than the other 2 cities. The feeling of the city is what makes it so special, and it was a fabulous place to simply wander. It was also a great stopover for us as it fell between an intense touring period in Thailand and going to Siem Reap to tour Angkor Wat.

Chiang Mai is a lovely and attractive small city with many temples to visit and also a good base for exploring the region. There are also many, many cooking schools here, so if you want to take a class, it's easy to do.

Siem Reap, the city that most people stay in when touring Angkor Wat, is surprisingly (to me) urban and larger than I expected. There is a downtown with a large market area and, at night, a pretty busy restaurant/shopping section. Of the 3 cities, I found it the city itself the least appealing and attractive, but it has some wonderful hotels and restaurants, and of course, the base for exploring Angkor Wat and the region. The friendliness of the people, though, is second to none.

Thanks progol for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed my blog - sometimes I like to transport back and relive some of my experiences.

I was so thankful that my husband's cousin lives in Bangkok and took us around for all that wonderful street food. The whole day consisted of just partaking in different dishes. Great experience! The wet market was really interesting to see - it was an assault on all the senses. I felt like I was in the way of shoppers and people on motorbikes! We didn't eat much there but it was just great to see a local spot. We did buy a bunch of fruit to enjoy later though. I miss all the tropical fruit!!

The coup did put a little damper on the night life but it's not like we go out partying until dawn so it didn't affect us that much. I would've been nice to not have to keep checking the time though. Maybe we'll have more freedom the next time we return to Thailand.

Glad you like the transit card collection! It keeps growing - I think I need a second or a bigger frame.

Yes, progol is right about Cambodia. We just flew into Siem Reap but didn't really stay there. We headed straight for an area with hotels near Angkor Wat and stayed there for 2 nights. This was during a separate Asia trip - Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore. I can't say much about Siem Reap but the area around Angkor Wat was mostly resorts and touristy. Still, the ruins are worth visiting!

Sounds like avoiding Siem Reap is the way to go. We planned (still hope for) 6 nights in Kathmandu Valley in early November before going on to Bhutan for 16 days combined trek/cultural tour. Kathmandu was to be our first 3rd world city, and we planned to see the 7 UNESCO sites before going on to more Bhutan.

Angkor Wat, Chiang Mai and Luang Prabang are the finalists for Plan B. We are spending 3 nights and days in Bangkok on return.

I apologize to all of you for whom this is repetitious from my other post. Lindygirl and progol, what is the name of the area close to Angor Wat?

Hi cmstraf, actually the resort I stayed in was in Siem Reap but we didn't go anywhere other than to the Angkor Wat ruins while we were in Cambodia. We stayed at the Angkor Palace Resort & Spa. I remember it was easy to rent a bike and ride around the ruins. This was in 2007 though so it was a long time ago. And aside from the ruins we really didn't do or see much more around Siem Reap.

It depends on what you're looking for for Plan B. All 3 locations are pretty different. Are you looking for a certain pace? Historical sites? Culture? Food? Markets? Cooking classes?

These are good questions lindygirl. Thanks for your reply. I think I want culture, historical sites and a certain ambience. I'm drawn to Luang Prabang, don't want to miss Angor Wat if it's truly magical, but am afraid it could be like Yosemite Valley in high season--almost unbearably magical. All friends vote for Angor Wat. Need to do some more reading.

Today my heart is heavy for Nepal--not just for the possible loss of my long held dream, but for the incredible suffering of the Nepalese people. I will pick up my search for Plan B in a few days.

Luang Prabang is charming and cute, kind of sleepy. I wouldn't spend too much time there. Angkor Wat is vast in comparison and rich with history (but must be explored with a guide or books). Depending on when you go it'll be overrun with tourists. Think large tour groups and people taking selfies...