When I began to plan my trip to Thailand, I knew that I wanted to explore various cities throughout the country. Although I enjoyed the bustling city of Bangkok, I was excited to see Chiang Mai. The city is known for its beautiful scenery and various temples.
Transportation
After researching various modes of transportation, I decided that it would be most cost-efficient to take an airplane to Chiang Mai. We took a quick (1 hr and 10 minutes) flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai for only $53 on Thai Airways International. I noticed several things about the airline: flight attendants uniforms and the food provided on the plane. I loved the flight attendants outfits because they were various shades of purple and super fashionable. I also enjoyed the mini warm snack they provided on the plane because we often don’t have these luxuries while flying within the United States. US air carriers are known to only provide beverages and MAYBE peanuts, or a cookie. Some airlines, (I don’t want to name any names, but SPIRIT even charges for beverages.
Horizon Village & Resort Chiangmai
We stayed at the Horizon Village & Resort Chiangmai. It was $47 per night, and we paid a total of $167 for 4 nights. My cousin Tanesha and I arrived at the resort around 8:30 pm and quickly settled in. Our stomachs were growling because we had been traveling half the day with no lunch. We were told that the restaurant would be open until 9:00 pm. After settling in we attempted to find dinner but they explained that restaurant was closed for the evening. Due to the fact that the resort was a distance from the city and not near any restaurants, we both went to bed hungry. In the morning time, we made sure to grab breakfast before going on our excursion for the day. The breakfast buffet was delicious, but I still think I was slightly annoyed about not having dinner the night before.
I would describe the room as being rustic. If you are afraid of tiny lizards, outside of your room this may not the place for you. In addition, the mosquitoes were really bad in this area, they were both inside and outside of the room. The resort advertised Wi-Fi services but I could not connect to the internet. I’m addicted to Facebook (Yes I willing to admit to my flaws) I was really sad to have no Wi-Fi while staying there.
If you enjoy great scenery, live animals, and hot air balloon rides, this resort maybe for you. They have an option of riding in a hot air balloon for a fee of $250. I didn’t have the opportunity to ride in the air balloon but it is on my bucket list. On site, the resort also had a mini zoo with several animals.
Although there were things that I enjoyed about the resort, I personally would not go back due to the distance of the resort from other attractions, lack of Wi-Fi, mosquitoes and limited time slots for dinner.
Tiger Kingdom
It took some convincing but I was able to convince my cousin Tanesha to go see Tigers. We hired a cab driver to take us to the Tiger Kingdom. They are open daily from 8am-6pm. They have lunch but we did not eat at the restaurant. We decided to choose the packet where we could interact with the baby cubs, large cats and have professional photos taken by staff and placed on a CD disk. They will provide you with a lock and key to place your belongings and shoes inside of the locker.
I enjoyed playing with the smaller cubs. Before entering the cage you will be required to wash your hands. The cubs and human have similar immune systems and they do not want you to transfer germs from your hands to their bodies.
Obviously, I was super scared to go inside the cage with the large cats. All I could think about was the possibility of the tigers waking up and attacking me. Thank God, I’m happy to report I made it out of the cage alive.
People often ask if the Tigers are drugged? Staff stated, “Tigers are less active in the day and more active at night”. It is also suggested that the Tigers are reared by humans and are used to human interaction. If you prefer more interaction with Tigers it is suggested that you visit in the early morning or late evening.
A Night out on the Town
Prior to going to Thailand, I sent out a bat signal in the Nomadness Tribe Facebook group. A bat signal is when you post in the group asking if anybody is available to meet up with you while traveling to various destinations. Stephanie Perry responded and stated that she would be available for dinner in Chiang Mai.
Dinner was great and I learned that Stephanie was completing a gap year around Asia. Hopefully, we will get to learn more about how she completed her gap year in a separate blog post. We ate a delicious meal in the city. After dinner, we were going to go back to the resort because we didn’t have any other plans for the evening.
As we were leaving the restaurant an African American male came riding down the street on a moped. He stopped on the street corner, greeted us and asked, “What were we about to do?” We replied, “nothing” and asked, “Did he have any recommended places to go”? He replied,” there was an open mic down the street and he was going to be performing”. Stephanie and I walked down the street toward the venue and my cousin asked if she could catch a ride on the back of the moped because her feet were hurting. I’m so happy that we found the spot, it was a mixture of both locals and tourists in the lounge. The atmosphere was great and the artists performing were talented. After the show was over, we headed next door to listen to Thai singers sing popular American R & B songs. It was fun to hear them belt out American tunes and sing along.
As the night was coming to a close Binky took us outside and said, “I want to show you something”. We went outside looking for something spectacular but he simply pointed and said, “This is what I want to show you”. He wanted to show us the city of Chiang Mai. He said, “I am a black man from Chicago living in Thailand and this is life”. He informed us that he came for vacation and never left. Once he decided that he was going to stay in Thailand, he found a job teaching English and shares a house with a friend. I was so happy that we met Binky on the street corner in Chiang Mai. Binky taught me that sometimes you may not have a plan or have it all figured out but you have to take a chance on life and see what happens. “Take a leap even when you cant see the whole stair case” It may just work itself out.
What are the odds that three African Americans from California and Chicago would randomly meet up for a night on the town? Meeting various people from different walks of life is one of the perks of traveling the world.
What are some things that you love about traveling? My favorite things about traveling are meeting new people, experiencing different cultures, and going on new adventures.
You are truly a brave soul, in the cage with grown tiger , no way, no how. Look at those paws !!!! Big as my dining room table. You go.
When are you going to Italy? That’s my spot. I love Florence, want to go back.
LOL I looked brave but I was scared to be in the cage with them. So are you saying you wouldn’t visit the grown tigers? LOL
Honestly, I have never thought about going to Italy but have heard wonderful things about Italy.
Deb curious to know how you found my blog site? Was it through FB
Thanks for reading, I look forward to your thoughts and comments
Chiang Mai is definitely on my bucket list. Looks like you had so much fun 🙂
If you visit Thailand definitely make a stop in Chaing Mai!
I cannot WAIT to go to Thailand! I’m sooo jealous! I can’t believe you go to play with tiger cubs! And how about that cassowary??? They look so prehistoric! I saw a bunch in Australia. So cool!
Wow, I didn’t even know the name of the bird. I looked up the bird and they have interesting facts like they are the most dangerous birds and the male takes care of the chicks after the mother lays the eggs. I’m jealous you went to Australia. Thailand was cool you should go soon!
Love it! Your trip looks like the perfect getaway. Enjoy your travels.
Thank you, It was a great 10 days in Thailand!
OMG those pictures with that Tiger had me nervous like it was real time! What a cool experience!
LOL, imagine when I was in the moment I was SUPER nervous! Def a once in a life time experience.
I love your life! You visit the best places and have the best adventures. I want to visit Thailand!
Awe thanks, I am already planning my next adventure. You should visit if you have the opportunity to do so.
How beautiful. Get your travel on girl. I have heard great things about Thailand.
Thailand was great and I would return because there was so much I didn’t get a chance to do.
Now this was an adventure. I so want to do the tiger thing. I would be incredibly nervious but it is nice to know that they are moer calm during the day. They look like a good time.
I was thinking I’m in Thailand, I want to try something that I wouldn’t normally try. I was nervous but thank God everything was ok.. LOL
Your photos are amazing! What an experience. I like that they protect the cubs by having everyone wash their hands first. They are babies too! Great post.
Thank you, Soca Mom! I enjoyed playing with the baby cubs, they were so cute!
Um, you are getting a little too cozy with those tigers! I don’t think I could have done that. You’re are brave sis.
Thank you Stacie, you are going to have to travel with me one day, we have to get you to try some new things.
I remember the power of the lion cub similar to the one you are lying on. For its size, it had a lot of strength so my hand and heart go out to you for braving it with the big tiger.
Where did you see the lion cubs at? I wanted to try the smallest cub and the largest cat, I was def being adventurous.
You have the best adventures. I’m sure that I wouldn’t have enjoyed the hotel because of the lizards and mosquitoes are not my friend. The open mic night sounds like it was fun.
Yes, this hotel was my least favorite due to some of the things you mentioned. So glad I made it to the open mic because it was one of the only times I went out at night the entire trip.
The photo post with the baby cubs are amazing! You are so brave. I love Thailand, thanks for sharing
I love Thailand as well! What was your favorite city and thing to do?
This is so brave. I love big cats, but I would never be close enough to take a picture with one. Amazing. What a way to spend a vacation.
Thank you, I was brave but my heart was pounding on the inside. LOL I loved this vacation it was so much fun.
OMG you are amazing! I am so afraid of traveling too far from home. The animals are beautiful and look a lot happier than the zoos here.
Thank you so much! It can be scary to travel far away from home but sometimes you just have to face your fears and do it! One of the best places I traveled.
I would totally be game to play with the tigers, especially the cubs. But what an experience to hang out with the larger cats.
Yes the little ones were super cute but yeah the larger ones was definitely an experience. Glad I survived. LOL
You got such a great rate on the resort. Those big tigers though, whew! You are very brave! Glad you had a blast.
Yes it was a great deal and I was able to split the cost with my cousin. I was scared but I faced them head on.. literally LOL