Today we took it easy this morning, made sure we were all packed up and took a car to the bus station.
We really don’t have bus stations in Iowa. We do, but it is not as popular form of travel as other methods. Planes and cars are the most common, because people like to go when they want to go and leave when they want to leave.
I remember being put on a bus when I was a kid back in the 1970’s. Mom and dad Dropped me off at the bus station, which is now I believe the Chauncy, but the point is, they put me on the bus and Grandma and Grandpa took me off the bus when it reached the Quad Cities. I guess I was being difficult and they needed a break.
I know it is a thing to travel as an unaccompanied minor on airplanes, and I am grateful I am through that phase of the kids lives, but I never even considered putting them on a bus.
So, how would I have traveled to Chiang Mai from Chiang Rai? Probably begged Chai to take me.
Here, bus is a more affordable and very commonly used as an affordable alternative to private limo.
The bus station was a mostly open air affair, with seats lined up in rows under a canopy. The first question was if we wanted or needed a taxi. Of course not, we were taking a bus. That is why we walked into the bus terminal and sat down.
I thought it was obvious. Apparently it was not obvious to others.
There was some time, so I wandered around a little and found that every pillar of the bus stop had a painting of some aspect of the local culture painted on it.
They were beautiful and appropriate. Some of the walls also had beautiful murals on them. In my limited view of the world, they appeared to be the only ‘not dingey’ thing in the entire terminal.
Things are not dirty here, but they are not sparkly clean either. The people are vibrant and industrious. The tech at least matches rural areas in the states and often has gone above in the cities. It is not a backward country. It is not what I am used to.
But the paintings were nice. I took pictures of them to pass some time, then found a monk walking around.
I was told by MJ women especially do not touch monks, and give them extra space when passing out of respect.
Yeah, I’m not a full frontal woman’s rights activist, but I know a few and I felt exactly what they thought about that statement. I am also curious because some are Buddhist, which is now very odd to me.
Anyway, This is my first foreign bus experience this trip. I have heard stories of chickens being on board, and no air conditioning and such.
I kept an open mind. I want everyone to know that.
There were no chickens, and it was a ‘modern’ bus, not a refurbished school bus body on the back of a jeep frame or anything.
But it was also a very well used bus. The seats were slanted forward. The foot rest did not work. I’m not sure the air worked, but it was not boiling hot.
So, overall, I would rate the ride a 3 of 10. Not because I am against older model busses, or the fact there were some issues with the seats, although those did get a downgrade in the rating.
It was the road. Good gravy. MJ said there woud be construction, but construction here is entirely different than in the states. Construction means swerve around barriers so you don’t fall off the edge, but you will be driving in potholes that mimic falling off the edge.
Or that is what it felt like. Perhaps the bus was lacking shocks. I did not check.
So, we bounced around for 2 or 3 hours and made it to Chiang Mai.
It was maybe 3 in the afternoon and I was ready for a cold shower and bed. My butt and back were ready for a massage, if not a complete rebuild.
I am so old. If you are a teen or 20 something backpacker, enjoy the ride. It was not bad and it was inexpensive.
If you have any kind of physical issue that may break or be derailed by a jack hammer up your butt for 3 hours, you may want to consider the benefits of upgrading to a private car. Or, you may get lucky and get a better bus.
We are staying at TipTopThai for the duration of our time in Chiang Mai. MJ has been staying here, and the owner got us rooms next to each other, which was nice. Plus I did not want to go looking for accommodations. I have been lucky so far, but I find it hard to book hotels in this part of the world.
In the US, I am a member of a hotel club, and I have a basic idea of what the different brands offer. Here, everything is a mom and pop, especially at the prices I have been booking, and they may have the best reviews and be the worst. Or you could end up in a hostel, or sharing a bathroom, or in a hammock on a patio or something. It really is all over the place. So, thanks for saving the work.
MJ loves this town and this area of the world. It is her go to away from home place, and that is why I asked her to show me around. She has been to Thailand 14 times, knows at least some of the language and the good places to eat, drink, get a massage. All the great things about knowing someone in country.
So, she showed me to dinner at a favorite street cart.
I don’t remember what I ordered, but this is what I got.
She dragged me out to show me a round a little and made me eat, then straight to bed, or more specifically, I stayed up and worked on writing until I fell asleep. You might have noticed I am a few weeks behind.
And that was day 1 in Chiang Mai.
