By train to Chiang Mai

Today we experienced an AMAZING 11-hour train journey from Ayutthaya to Chiang Mai 🤗. It was absolutely insane. There was also an overnight journey option, but we wouldn't have seen anything and I wouldn't have been able to sleep anyway 🤓.

But let's start from the beginning 😉! Unfortunately, we had to leave our amazing resort in Ayutthaya towards Chiang Mai today 😥. All the staff were very friendly and eager to make our stay enjoyable 😊. We were driven to the train station at 9:00 am and everyone came to wave goodbye🙂.

Today's departure was at 9:57 am 🚞 and we arrived in Chiang Mai at 7:30 pm!

At first, I thought, oh shit 🙉, such a long train ride 🙈, how will you survive? But it was an incredible journey 😊! Shortly after Ayutthaya, we could see the locals working in the fields. It looked like a scene from decades ago. They were fishing in the streams and small lakes with bamboo fishing rods🐠. We could often see the farmers harvesting and burning the fields among the lush green rice fields.

Actually, I had loaded some movies onto my tablet for such long journeys. What can I say, the long trip was more exciting than any movie🤗!

At one point, almost everything was underwater🙉! The huts and houses were barely visible. But the cars and scooters were still somehow driving through. 🙈Many houses are built on stilts, now I know why.

A mountain suddenly appeared on the right, with fields/fruit plantations in front of it. It looked impressive☺️. We could see the gigantic water buffalo in the fields 🤗. They are my absolute highlight here in Asia. We can also see cattle here that I have never seen before. They have long, big droopy ears. They would fit well in Star Trek.👾 The weather looked like doomsday, but not a drop has fallen so far.

We drove through a jungle halfway through the journey 🙉. Wow, it all looked so beautiful: the plants, trees, and small waterfalls😊. Then there were two tunnels, which were also somehow cool. You're probably thinking, why is it special when a train goes through a tunnel? It's special here in Thailand!

We still have a good two-hour ride ahead👍! What we noticed today is that the train was not as cold😁👍!

We are currently passing through an area with palm trees 🌴 and other trees. Amidst the palm trees, you can see small wooden huts with clothes hanging out of the windows. A sign of life. Eeeeeewwwwww, there's also a bug with 6 legs on my window 🙉! Why is it always me🙈? Somehow, I'm itching all over now 😶.

It's getting dark now, hopefully, I can still take great photos. We're also moving very slowly 🙃, I have no idea why? Maybe it's going uphill? Oh, now it's raining and the windows are wet. Now, I can't take any photos anymore 😎🤳!

We're having dinner now. I'm enjoying mini Christmas stollen with marzipan 🤗, a gift from our home country. Daniela once again had the food from the train 😂.

We just witnessed something amazing. At exactly 6:00 pm, while we were at the train station, the national anthem was played over the loudspeakers. Everyone stood still for one minute!

The rest of the journey was uneventful due to the darkness 😉. However, we arrived in Chiang Mai with some delay 🙉.

We have another great accommodation. It's almost like an apartment 😁. The bathroom is huge 😁. With two sinks, a large whirlpool, and a separate large shower. The showerhead is in the shape of an elephant trunk 😂. Photo to follow😜.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow's sightseeing. Sending you all lots of love and hugs 🤗! We're exhausted from the journey and now we're going to sleeeeeep 😴😴😴😴😴!