Thailand · 9 nights · January
Thailand: north for the hills, south for the doing nothing
The plan
Chiang Mai first, then islands. Split evenly.
What actually happened
The north got six nights because neither of us wanted to leave, and the islands got three, mostly horizontal. The cooking class was the highlight for both of us, which nobody expected.
Vinay wanted
Temples, a hill trek, and a cooking class he researched for a month.
Aditi wanted
A pool, a book, and dinner somewhere with lanterns.
Stay
Old city guesthouse, Chiang Mai
Courtyard, ten rooms, owner who plans your day better than you.
Hillside bungalow
Fog at sunrise, no wifi, best two nights.
Eat
Northern khao soi shop
Veg version exists. Ask.
Sunday walking street
Eat standing up. It's the correct way.
Do
Cooking class in a garden
Full day. Both of us rated it 10.
Doi Suthep at sunrise
Early enough to have it almost empty.
Aditi: 'One more temple and I'm going back to the pool.' She came to the temple.
The verdict
Do the north longer than you think you should.
Would we go again? Yes. North only.