Thailand Contrasts (2022): Day 12: Onwards to Chiang Mai

The journey north

Today began when Bruce’s phone alarm went off at 0444 and mine followed at 0445. (He has a penchant for using non-standard times!) We both knew that we couldn’t afford to ignore them. We hastily did what we needed to do in order to be ready to board the booked hotel car to Phuket International Airport at 0530, without breakfast. At this hour of the morning it proved to be a trouble-free transfer and we soon arrived at HKT.

The smooth running continued with an easy passage airside, after having checked our rollaboards as hold baggage – part of the downside of using a low-cost carrier. Bruce got us entry to the Thai Royal Silk lounge with his Priority Pass, and we had a light breakfast there. We boarded our Thai Viet Air flight (departing 0800) around 0730 – ten minutes after the supposed gate closing time of 0720, and we were far from alone. I was glad that we had chosen to book 3D/F, as the front three rows had extra legroom and the other rows looked so closely packed!

We had a perfectly reasonable flight to CNX, but many of my photos were unusable due to a tendency for ice to form on my window.

Destination & Accommodation

We were met by the Le Méridien hotel car on arrival for a very easy 15-minute transfer to our next base. Even better, our room was available for immediate entry. After settling in, we spent a good chunk of the afternoon at the swimming pool on the 4th floor. Much of this time was very pleasant, but then a group of extraordinarily loud Brits arrived and spoiled the ambience. The next highlight was Happy Hour cocktails in the lobby bar; as in Phuket, these had a “watered-down” taste.

First taste of the night-market scene

Later, we had an enjoyable first experience of the city’s famous night-market scene. Tonight’s venue was the nearby Pavilion Night Bazaar.