Chasing Sunshine in Laos & Thailand (During Rainy Season!) ☀️🌧️
Laos-Thailand in July: A Monsoon Adventure?
Okay, so we knew going to Laos and Thailand in July meant braving the rainy season. We envisioned a few refreshing showers, but reality? Let's just say we spent a lot of time searching for sunshine! From Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai, even down to Phuket, it was either rain or relentlessly grey skies. Glimmers of sun were few and far between, usually just as we were leaving. Honestly, a bit of a bummer because sunny weather would have made the destinations—and our photos—absolutely epic.
Our 12-Day, 11-Night Whirlwind Tour: From Hanoi to Beaches!
Our epic journey started at Hanoi's Nuoc Ngam bus station, hopping on an overnight sleeper bus bound for Vientiane, Laos. Departure: 6 PM. Arrival at the Cau Treo border: 7 AM the next day. Final stop at Vientiane's Southern Bus Station: 4 PM. After a 2-year slowdown in high speed train transport between these northern areas, the Laos to Luang Prabang train was down to just two departures a day at 8 AM and 4 PM so we missed our train and had to sprint over to the Northern Bus Station to catch the last minivan at 6:30 PM, arriving at a bleary-eyed 12:30 AM. Lesson learned: if your schedule allows, chill in Vientiane for a night and grab the morning high-speed train (only 2 hours!). Or, look for direct sleeper buses from Hanoi to Luang Prabang (check Nuoc Ngam bus station's website for info, though they're rare now).
Luang Prabang: A Brief But Beautiful Stop
Arriving in Luang Prabang at midnight, we only had a day and a half to explore before crossing the border into Thailand. Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage city nestled in northern-central Laos, is the former capital of the Lan Xang kingdom, overflowing with stunning temples and Buddhist monasteries. We barely scratched the surface, which means we *definitely* need to go back!
Luang Prabang Must-Sees:
- Kuang Si Falls: Absolutely breathtaking waterfalls!
- Xieng Thong Temple: A true architectural masterpiece.
- Royal Palace: Dive into Laos' royal history.
- The Old Quarter: Wander the charming streets.
Onward to Thailand (and Chiang Mai!)
After our whirlwind Luang Prabang visit, we raced to snag train tickets back to Vientiane (1:30 PM departure) to catch a bus to Nong Khai, Thailand, and finally, the overnight bus to Chiang Mai (7 PM departure – only one per day!).
After arriving by train in Vientiane at 3:30 PM, we headed outside the train station and were immediately directed to the city bus that heads directly to the Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge. After clearing immigration, we hopped on a tuk-tuk from the Nong Khai border to the Nong Khai bus station, where we boarded our night bus to Chiang Mai. (Pro Tip: Book ahead! This bus fills up FAST.) We ended up with "sofa" seats in the back of the bus, and while our behinds were sore after a long night, we still made it to Chiang Mai as planned!
Landing in Chiang Mai the next morning, we grabbed a Grab to our hotel for some much-needed R&R before hitting the road to explore Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai over the next 4 days.
Chiang Mai & Chiang Rai: Northern Thailand Adventures!
Chiang Mai, the mountain city in Northwest Thailand, needs no introduction. Renting a motorbike is the way to go, giving you total freedom! Just remember to get an international driving permit before you go – Thai police sometimes check.
Chiang Mai Highlights:
- Tha Phae Gate: Iconic city gate and perfect photo spot.
- No.39 Cafe: A trendy cafe with great vibes.
- Angkaew Reservoir: Scenic views and chill vibes.
- One Nimman: Shopping and entertainment hub.
- Thapae Road: Bustling street full of life.
- Chang Moi Kao Road: Explore the local culture.
- Oou Cafe & Space: Another must-visit cafe.
- Mae Kampong Pang Klang: Experience a 100-year-old village.
- Morning Market BaanKangWat: A great place to start your day.
Chiang Rai: A Day Trip to Remember
Four days in Chiang Mai felt like a good amount of time, so we decided to venture to neighboring Chiang Rai. Located in the northernmost part of Thailand, where the Golden Triangle meets Myanmar and Laos. After reading a bunch of reviews, we decided to splurge on a private car day tour with a local Thai guy named Tu. Sharing the cost with 4 people made it cheaper than joining a tour, and the itinerary was completely customizable. The drive from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai took about 3 hours. Tu picked us up at 7 AM and dropped us back off at 9 PM. One day wasn't enough to see everything, but we made the most of it.
Chiang Rai Essentials:
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple): A modern architectural wonder!
- Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple): Equally stunning, and vibrantly blue!
- Baan Dam Museum (Black House): A slightly macabre but fascinating experience.
- Choui Fong Tea Plantation: Sip delicious tea amidst rolling hills.
Phuket: Beaches, Islands, and More!
On our last evening in Chiang Mai, we took a Grab to the airport for our flight to Phuket. 3 days on the island did not feel like enough time! So, we booked two motorbikes and started roaming the island from end to end.
Phuket is a world famous island located in Southern Thailand, everyone knows this island. The easiest and cheapest way to see Phuket is by motorbike. We rented motorbikes for 3 days and drove around the island exploring all the famous locations. Most tourists choose to take a tour to Koh Phi Phi, but we chose the 3 islands tour Khai Nai - Khai Nui - Khai Nok because of Khai Nai island, an island full of cats!
Phuket's Gems:
- Phuket Old Town: Colorful Sino-Portuguese architecture.
- Patong Beach: The island's most famous beach.
- Secret photo point - Kalim beach: Worth the search!
- Karon Beach: Long, sandy, and beautiful.
- Windmill Viewpoint: Stunning panoramic views.
- Promthep Cape: The island's southernmost point.
- Khai Nai Island: Cat Island!
- Khai Nui Island: A hidden gem.
- Khai Nok Island: Crystal-clear waters.
- Chillva Market: Cool night market for shopping and eats.
Bangkok & Back to Reality!
After 3 days in Phuket, we took an overnight bus (6 PM departure) back to Bangkok, arriving at Mochit bus station at 7 AM. We grabbed a Grab to Siam Centre for a little pre-flight shopping before heading to Suvarnabhumi Airport for our 3 PM flight back to Hanoi.
The Travel Bug Bites Back!
After two years of work and staying close to home, we thought our travel passion had faded. Turns out, it was just dormant! Deep down, that wanderlust is still burning bright!
Shared by An Ninh
#TravelokaVN #Laos #Thailand
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