The familiar, melodious words came from my old friend, who I hadn't seen in a long time. Little did she know that beneath my calm expression, I was secretly grinning and laughing to myself, thinking, "This is exactly what I wanted to hear!" After we graduated, we went our separate ways to pursue our careers, which left us with little time to see each other. But then... the heavens bestowed upon us a holiday! Wahahaha!
My friend recently visited me in Chiang Mai, and as a good host, I felt obligated to show them around. We initially planned to stay at a beautiful homestay in the middle of a rice paddy in Pa Bong Piang, as suggested by online reviews. However, due to it being a holiday weekend, the accommodation was fully booked! We had to quickly change our plans. After some online research, I decided to take my friend to a hot spring resort. I knew the road leading there was challenging, but I enticed my friend by saying, "We'll go up to the mountain and stay at a resort with a hot spring where we can relax." I showed them some stunning pictures, and they couldn't resist!
After agreeing on the terms, we packed our bags and went to rent a motorbike at our regular shop (Buddy Bike Rental) for 200 baht per day. Initially, we planned to rent a gear motorbike, but they were all rented out. We informed the shop that we were going up the mountain, so they chose a relatively new and powerful motorbike for us, which was a Honda Click.
We set off around noon to visit Mon Cham first. This time, we did not take the main road that most people use. Instead, we took the Mae Ram road to the back of Mon Cham, which is a very scenic road with very little traffic.
Mae Ram Road
The road behind Mon Cham
After a scenic drive with numerous photo stops, we finally arrived at Mon Cham within an hour and a half.
The temperature has begun to cool down, resulting in a noticeable increase in fog.
Some people may wonder why they haven't seen this spot before, even though they've been to Mon Cham many times. Don't be surprised, it's a newly opened strawberry farm located at the back of Mon Cham. So, the early bird gets the worm! (smirks)
But first, I don't see any strawberries!
After allowing my friend to revel in the beauty of nature and soak in the positive vibes, it was time to bring her back to reality. She probably still doesn't know what fate awaits her, hehe. The real highlight of this trip is about to begin, my dear friend!
At that moment, the only thing to do was to laugh and get off the motorbike to walk through the mud. If we had tried to ride through it together, we would have definitely fallen. Karma really caught up with us! 555
The friend was wearing expensive sneakers, so she was afraid of getting them dirty. That's why she had to walk barefoot. As for the other girl, she wore flip-flops because I knew it beforehand. Haha.
The provided text is in Thai and describes the road conditions during different seasons. Here's the translation:
For those with cars or who are planning to visit during the winter, don't worry, the roads are easily passable. As for off-road enthusiasts and rainy season riders, this way please!
(The last sentence includes a playful emoji, indicating a lighthearted tone.)
The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.
Before reaching the resort entrance, there is a stream flowing across the access road. We drove through the water, but unfortunately, the gate was closed! We had to drive to the other entrance, which was the most challenging part of the journey.
No text provided for translation.
Laughter erupted from both friends as they trudged through the mud, the victim of their playful prank now forced to endure the consequences.
And finally, we arrived at Pong Kwao Hot Spring Resort & Spa. Seeing it, I felt it was worth it! To have gone through all that mud.
Our rooms
The sentence is already in English and does not require translation.
Due to the resort's reliance on solar panels for electricity, power is only available from 5 pm onwards. Outages may occur if solar power is insufficient. We recommend bringing a flashlight and a power bank for those planning to stay here. Additionally, mobile phone reception is limited, so it's best to disconnect from social media and enjoy quality time with your companions.
The original text is empty. Please provide the text you want me to translate.
The resort was practically deserted during our stay, as it was the low season. However, this had the advantage of allowing us to enjoy any of the hot spring pools we desired. The resort offers a variety of options, including private pools, shared private pools, and both indoor and outdoor communal pools. Visitors who are not staying at the resort can also access the hot springs for a fee of 80 baht for adults and 40 baht for children. The resort conveniently provides hot spring attire for rent, but guests are welcome to bring their own if they prefer.
Private pool
Private pool
Outdoor communal pool
Indoor swimming pool
The pool area features cool water for rinsing and adjusting body temperature before entering the hot spring. Lockers are also provided for storing valuables, ensuring peace of mind while enjoying the hot spring experience.
The resort also offers affordable food and beverages for visitors at the front.
This resort is a great place to relax and unwind from the hustle and bustle of city life. The peaceful atmosphere, cool air, and sound of flowing water create a perfect environment for a restful stay. The food is delicious, and the accommodations are affordable. At just 250 baht per night, you can enjoy free access to the hot springs, which is a rare find these days.
"Hey, wake up! We need to go."
The sound of our friends calling us woke us from our slumber under the covers. It was time to return the car to the shop as scheduled. We quickly packed our bags and headed back to Chiang Mai. Fortunately, the rain had stopped the previous night, making the roads dry and easier to navigate.
The morning atmosphere before leaving
Upon arriving in Chiang Mai, we returned the car to the rental agency and retrieved our identification cards. While my friends departed, I had one more destination on my itinerary: Doi Suthep. Many people may have already visited and believe it offers nothing special. However, if you've never experienced Doi Suthep in the evening, this review is for you. Let's explore how trying something different can lead to remarkable discoveries and fresh perspectives.
We took a red truck up Doi Suthep around five in the evening to make it in time for the evening prayers at six. Once we arrived, we took a leisurely walk up the mountain, burning some calories in the process.
As I ascended the temple steps, the sound of a bell resonated through the air, signaling the commencement of the evening prayers.
As the monks chanted their evening prayers, tourists from both Thailand and abroad sat quietly observing the ceremony. During this time, everyone in the vicinity maintained a respectful silence.
After the evening prayers, the sun slowly sets below the horizon, replaced by the moon. For those who intend to watch the sunset at Doi Suthep, I must tell you that you are mistaken! You will not see the sunset because Doi Suthep is located west of Chiang Mai city. Many people may wonder, "Then why go up there?" The answer is to see this:
As the sun sets, the sky begins to darken. The temple illuminates the chedi with lights, making it glow a brilliant golden yellow. From the viewpoint, you can see the city of Chiang Mai at night from above.
After soaking in the atmosphere, it was time to head back down to the city before the last bus left. Along the way, we enjoyed the natural scenery at night and the cool air on the mountain. This was enough to recharge our physical and mental energy to return to work the next day.
Every trip we take is a chance to be alone with ourselves and reflect. This time was no different. After months of nonstop work, we finally had the opportunity to truly relax. It made us realize that we've been working so much that we haven't had time for our families, the people we love, the ones who would care for us if we were sick. Our boss, for whom we work tirelessly, wouldn't even bat an eye. They could easily replace us. So why work so hard? If the money we earn ends up going to the hospital anyway...
"If you're tired, take a break."
Summary of Expenses
- The motorbike rental fee of 200 baht, divided by two, equals 100 baht.
- The round-trip fuel cost of 100 baht, divided by two, equals 50 baht.
- The resort's accommodation costs 250 baht (normally 300 baht).
- Food and beverage costs at the resort 550 divided by two = 275 baht
- Travel meal expenses 170 baht
- Roundtrip fare to Doi Suthep is 140 baht.
Total: 985 Baht
**We already have accommodation in Chiang Mai city, so we won't have to pay for accommodation again. However, for those who want to stay in Chiang Mai city for another night according to our trip, we recommend staying at a hostel. The price will be around 180-290 baht, including breakfast, to save money and make new friends. The cost will increase by another two to three hundred baht.**
The following is a translation of the provided text:
For those who are interested in booking a room, you can search for the contact number on Google.
Thank you for stopping by to read. Have fun on your holiday and see you again next trip, winter season :)
Girl with a backpack
I can help with that. Here is the translation:
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Friday, November 8, 2024 4:04 PM