5 February 2026 – Day 84 — Easy Chiang Mai Wanders, Entrees & Old Friends Arriving
Today was an easy day here in Chiang Mai, the kind that moves along gently. We grabbed an INDrive to Lotus’s first thing, enjoyed a cappuccino, and then walked over to Maya Shopping Centre. Lunch in the food court, a bit of browsing, and then another INDrive back to the condo.
The afternoon was quiet — resting and recharging.
At 4pm, we took an INDrive to the area near Kadmanee Markets. We settled in with an entrée and a beer while waiting for Neil and Connie to arrive from Bangkok. Around 7pm, they rolled up, and we spent the next few hours catching up on old times.
We’ve travelled extensively with Neil and Connie over the years, and we always enjoy their company. Sitting together again in Chiang Mai felt familiar and easy. By the end of the night we’d already made plans for the days ahead — and we were excited.
6 February 2026 – Day 85 — Sore Throats, Slow Wanders & A Good Night for the Boys
Alison woke this morning with a sore throat, and sadly it looks like she’s picked up another cold. So the first outing of the day was a walk to Big C to pick up Difcof and paracetamol. Once she was dosed up and feeling a little steadier, we continued on with the day.
Next stop was Lotus’s for a cappuccino and lunch — a familiar routine that always feels easy in Chiang Mai.
After lunch we walked over to Jing Jai Markets, hoping to see a car show that was meant to be happening, but nothing seemed to be underway. With not much to see, we headed back to the condo for a quiet afternoon rest, which suited Alison perfectly.
In the evening we walked out to Kadmanee Markets to meet up with David Mac. Alison kept her distance so she wouldn’t pass her cold on, but she still enjoyed being out and about. Meanwhile, Steve and David had a great night catching up, chatting, and enjoying the easy Chiang Mai evening atmosphere.
A quieter day overall, but still a good one — and hopefully the start of Alison feeling better again.
7 February 2026 – Day 86 — A Sick Day in Chiang Mai
Alison woke up very sick today, after a night of almost no sleep. It was clear from the moment she opened her eyes that the best thing for her was to stay in bed and rest. A disappointing turn, especially since we were meant to meet up with Neil and Connie again — the last thing we wanted was to pass this cold on to them.
With the day reshuffled, things stayed quiet. KFC for lunch, something easy and close, and then a slow afternoon while Alison tried to recover.
For dinner we ordered Indian via Lineman — butter chicken and naan arriving by bike, warm and comforting. A simple end to a day that didn’t go to plan, but hopefully the start of Alison turning the corner.
8 February 2026 – Day 87 — Turning a Corner, Wrong Bus, Right Coffee
After a rough few days, Alison finally had a good night’s sleep, and the worst of her cold seemed to be behind her. A big relief.
At 9am we headed out to Jing Jai Markets, taking the condo’s little 20‑baht minibus. Only problem — we got the destination wrong. The bus dropped us nowhere near where we thought it was going, so we hit the pavement and walked the extra hour all the way to Lotus’s for a much‑needed morning coffee.
While we were there, Neil and Connie joined us for a cappuccino and a chat. It was great to see them again, even briefly.
Around lunchtime we made our way back to the condo for a restful afternoon — exactly what Alison needed after the unexpected walk.
In the evening we headed out to the shopping centre for dinner, picked up some sandwiches for the following day’s trip, and wrapped up the day quietly. A gentle, steady day in Chiang Mai, with Alison finally on the mend.
9 February 2026 – Day 88 — Packing Up, Airport Hops & A Runway‑Side Room
Today was our big packing day, getting everything sorted for the trip home. After three months in Thailand, it still feels like the time has slipped by in a blink.
At 8:30am we grabbed an INDrive to Chiang Mai Airport for our 12:30pm flight to Kuala Lumpur. Once we’d checked in, there wasn’t much to do except wait and watch the airport slowly wake up around us. Boarding started at 12:20pm, and soon we were lifting off into the smoggy Chiang Mai sky, saying goodbye to the mountains one last time.
We landed in Kuala Lumpur at 4:30pm and headed straight to the hotel, only to be told we couldn’t check in yet. Because of our late‑night onward flight, they asked us to wait until 7:30pm. Not ideal, but we made the best of it.
We wandered the terminals, stretched our legs, and ate the dinner we’d brought with us from Chiang Mai — simple, familiar, and exactly what we needed after a day of travel.
When 7:30pm finally rolled around, we checked in and were pleasantly surprised with a room upgrade and an extra 30 minutes for checkout. The best part was the view: our window looked directly onto the aircraft at the gates. We could even see the pilots in the cockpit preparing for their flights. A little unexpected treat at the end of a long travel day.
10 February 2026 – Day 89 — Homeward Bound Through Clear Skies
We were up and moving early, heading to our gate around 8am for the final leg home. Boarding began at 8:45am, and by 9:20am we were lifting off, climbing smoothly through the clouds and settling into the long cruise back to Australia. There was just one cyclone to fly around on the way, but it caused no trouble at all — just a gentle curve in the flight path.
We touched down in Perth at 3:15pm, where Dwaine was waiting for us, a welcome sight after a long day in the air. By 3:50pm we were out through the parking lot and on our way north.
The two‑hour drive home was filled with stories — chatting about the trip, the places we’d loved, the people we’d met, and everything we’d missed in our little hometown. After three months away, it felt good to be heading back.
A long journey, a smooth landing, and the quiet comfort of returning home.
Trip Summary — Three Months of Roads, Markets, Mountains & Memories
Three months on the road, and what a journey it turned out to be. From the quiet beaches of Prachuap to the foggy mountain drives, from night markets humming with life to peaceful afternoons in Chiang Mai cafés, the trip became a long string of small moments that added up to something big.
There were highs everywhere —
the familiar smiles of friends we’ve known for years,
the comfort of our favourite cafés and favourite dishes,
the long scenic drives that opened up Thailand in all directions,
the unexpected discoveries like a 747 being turned into a café,
and the simple joy of walking routines, cappuccinos, and easy days that felt just right.
We had plenty of travel wins too:
smooth road trips, friendly hotel staff, perfect Pad Thai,
and those quiet evenings where everything just clicked —
good food, good company, and the warm buzz of a Thai night market.
Of course, every long trip has its lows, and we had a few:
slipping hotel standards, chaotic Bangkok roadworks,
a couple of colds that knocked the energy out of our days,
and the disappointment of missing time with friends because we didn’t want to pass the sickness on.
But even the lows were handled with patience, humour, and the kind of resilience that only comes from travelling for years.
What stands out most is the rhythm we found —
walks, coffees, markets, drives, familiar faces,
and the feeling of being at home in a place far from home.
We caught up with old friends, made new ones,
revisited places that mean something to us,
and discovered new corners of Thailand that will stay with us long after the bags are unpacked.
And then, just like that, it was time to fly home —
through smoggy skies, around a cyclone,
into Perth where Dwaine was waiting,
and finally back to our little hometown,
chatting all the way about everything we’d seen, done, and missed.
Three months.
Countless steps.
Dozens of markets.
Hundreds of small stories.
And one very full, very memorable trip.