Seizing the day

If you’re in Thailand and want to go to Malaysia without getting a long bus or a plane, than you’ll be pleased to know it is possible by train(s) and a few ferries. The beautiful Koh Samui  Our itinerary My partner and I recently travelled from Koh Samui, Thailand all the way to Georgetown, Penang and it went surprisingly smooth. Here's how we did it: 1. Lomprayah ferry  and bus (joint ticket):  Na Thon Koh Samui to Surat Thani Train Station  ( duration: 3 hours and 5 mins, cost: 700 baht) -  booked with 12goAsia 2. Thai sleeper train (special express): Surat Thani, Thailand to Padang Besar, Malaysia (duration: approx. 7 hours, cost: 722 baht) - booked with Thai Railway Ticket My train ticket from Surat Thani to Padang Besar 3. KTM Komuter: Padang Besar to Butterworth (duration: 1 hr 30 mins, cost: 115 baht) - can’t pre-book, got the ticket at the station 4. Butterworth ferry to Georgetown (duration: approx. 20 mins...

Loads of our friends told us that we must go to Pai, so we did - and it turned out to be the most relaxing time we've had since starting our journey. A colourful welcome to Pai This post includes: how we got to Pai from Chiang Mai where we stayed what the atmosphere was like where we ate and drank things to do and see how much we spent overall impressions Getting there From Chiang Mai we took a mini bus that we booked via our hotel. It seemed liked the most convenient option because they pick you up directly from where you’re staying so you don't have to faff about in the heat carrying your bags. This cost us 403 baht (£9.48) for 2 people. Mini buses seem to be the most popular option to get to Pai as it's not on the train route. You can fly as well, but I think the planes are those flimsy little ones, which scare me. The mini bus takes about 2 hours and travels up the winding roads though the mountains where Pai sits on the other side. If you...

Like a kid at Christmas, I didn't sleep the night before I went to the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. I was so excited and also a little apprehensive, because like any sane person I physically detest animal cruelty. This post covers: why it's important to do your research first what we did at the Elephant Nature Park how we got there from our hostel overall impressions One for the family album Do your research You'll be bombarded with elephant trips when you travel to Thailand or Laos. With most offering packages that include riding and bathing the elephants. Despite elephants being pretty big animals, it really hurts their back to have some silly ass human(s) on them - so don't add to the problem. Later in our travels, we were in Luang Prabang in Laos where every elephant package advertised riding them. Having spoke to a few travellers on the way, most seem to be against it - so I think slowly people are starting to realise that it's wrong...

After a short 2 hour train from Lampang, we arrived in the famous Chiang Mai. This post covers: how we got to Chiang Mai from Lampang where we stayed good places to eat and have coffee how much we spent overall impressions Anyone who has ever been to Thailand says you must go to Chiang Mai, it's the best. Now we could see for ourselves what all the fuss is about. Street art in Chiang Mai Getting there We took the local train from Lampang to Chiang Mai (23 baht for 3rd class seats). We were a bit dubious about it as we were picturing standing up all the way with chickens around our feet. Much to our happiness, it was fine. It was just like your standard train really, with comfortable enough seats and windows. Bit like the London Overground without the grumpy arseholes Atmosphere and getting around With a lot less hustle and bustle then Bangkok, Chiang Mai is a travellers haven. You can do allsorts here, from visiting elephants, Thai cooking classes to...

The third stop on our travels was Lampang - a quick 9 hour train ride away from Ayutthaya. It's not the most touristy of places, but it's got a lot of natural beauty around it as it's nestled right in the heart of Northern Thailand. This post covers: how we got to Lampang from Ayutthaya where we stayed Kad Kong Ta street market day trips we took how much we spent overall impressions Psst, this is the secret place Getting there We booked a special express train from Ayutthaya that cost 504 baht each. You do go around the houses a bit, but the views are really worth it. You go through a few national parks, which I think were called Wiang Kosai and Mae Wa, where you pass beautiful lush green mountains and rivers. You actually get a free meal on the train too, like you would on a plane, but it wasn't my cup of tea. It was some kind fish in curry sauce - so that made the loo smell very pleasant for the rest of journey. Still for a £11.00 journey, you can...

Our second point of call after Bangkok was the former capital of Thailand, Ayutthaya. The also post covers: how we got to Ayutthaya from Bangkok where we stayed good places to eat and have coffee sights we saw how much we spent overall impressions Ayutthaya train station Getting there Ayutthaya is about 80 kms from Bangkok and conveniently on the train line route. Bangkok train station For 65 baht each we got the train from Bangkok train station. We got our tickets at the station, but you can also book online on  Thairailwayticket.com . The journey takes about 2 and half hours. You can also get there other ways, like a minibus or tax, but the train is by far the cheapest option, and more scenic. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the train. You get a comfy seat, the luxury of a loo and a meal (at an additional cost)  - together with the beautiful scenery outside your window. Watching the world go by Atmosphere Having come from Ba...