Travel Chronicles: My Unforgettable Solo Trip to Chiang Mai

After my adventure in Bangkok, I reached my desired destination: Chiang Mai. After getting off the bus from Bangkok, I jumped onto a Songthaew, a passenger vehicle that could drop me off near the AirBnB where I would be staying for the weekend.

When I arrived, my first half-hour was hectic as I couldn’t find my Airbnb, and it was pretty early, so not many people were around to help, but I think my New York spirit kicked in, and I made it work while navigating the maps I had available. Once I found my humble (temporary) abode, I was ready to relax and enjoy my next three days in Chiang Mai. Since I was primarily focused on the lantern festival, I only had a little planned, but I booked a few additional experiences to make this visit the best trip ever. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Chiang Mai, and this is what I did in the city for three days.

Where I stayed 

I stayed at an Airbnb in the heart of Nimman. It was nice to be in an apartment because it made the trip feel more intimate for me. The apartment was roomy and consisted of two beds, a kitchen area, and large windows facing a busy street. It allowed me to watch people and made me feel like I was back in New York City. The decor was beautiful and modern. The apartment felt cozy and was perfect for relaxing after my days/nights out.

It was also over 7-Eleven, and I had the best sweet chili microwave meal ever. I hadn’t eaten for a while going to Chiang Mai, so I just bought that to heat up quickly before napping. It’s still the best microwave meal I’ve ever had. 

Loi Krathong – Festival of Lights

Loy Krathong is an annual festival in Thailand that celebrates the Water Goddess, thanking her for abundance while honoring Buddha. It was a gratifying experience since there was so much to explore throughout the festival. I got lost because I was so enthralled and immersed in my surroundings. It was a privilege to see the awe-inspiring scenery of the many lanterns in the night sky and learn more about the cultural celebration. It also reminded me of my favorite Disney princess movie, Tangled. 

The festival was more than I expected. There was live music, street food, and parade floats. Crowds of people were sometimes overwhelming but added energy to the night as they released lanterns in the sky and candles on the river. I hope to go back and see it again one day.

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary

I completely understand that visiting an elephant sanctuary is a touchy subject, but I took the time to go to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. I made sure to do a lot of research before visiting, and it had many great reviews. It was an outstanding experience to be next to these large yet majestic creatures. Throughout the day, they allowed us to feed and bathe the elephants while also providing food for us.

It was an excellent opportunity to interact with the elephants as they walked around. As I mentioned in a previous blog, Asia was never on my travel list, so this was a surreal experience as it was something other than what I thought I would do.

I also made friends during the drive up to the sanctuary. They were newlyweds and visited Thailand for their honeymoon. I wasn’t the most outgoing person, but it was fun to make new friends since I was on the trip alone at that point. It was an unforgettable experience that I will always keep close to my heart. 

I also had a tour I was supposed to take that would take me to various temples, but my bus never arrived to pick me up. It was disappointing, but I took that time to watch Thor: Ragnorak in a theater inside a mall near my AirBnB, which was a great experience since it was an excellent movie.  

I enjoyed my time in Chiang Mai even though it was cut short. I would love to go back one day! Have you been to Chiang Mai? What was your favorite experience there?