Incredibly, on this trip, I, a woman who always travels solo, encountered several other solo female travelers.

Overwhelmed by the abundance of information, we find ourselves at a crossroads, unsure of our next destination. With a free train ticket in hand, we embark on a spontaneous journey, leaving behind the burdens of daily life. Unburdened by schedules or commitments, we embrace the freedom of the unknown, allowing the journey to unfold organically. The contrast between a stolen two-day break and a true vacation highlights the liberating power of spontaneity, reminding us to cherish the fleeting moments of freedom before the constraints of daily life return.

The free train ticket from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was a great way to travel. It rained almost the entire way, but the lush green scenery was captivating. Initially, I planned to get off near Phrae, Uttaradit, or Lampang, but I decided to continue to Chiang Mai. Without a place to stay, I searched for options at the train station. Chiang Dao seemed like an attractive destination, but booking accommodation proved challenging due to limited phone signal. After several attempts, I managed to book a room at Baan Wiw Doi Luang. The receptionist sounded sleepy, as it was 5 am on a weekday. Fortunately, there were rooms available, and I was relieved to have secured accommodation.

I took a red car from the train station for 20 baht to the Chang Phuak bus station. I arrived just in time to see a small bus leaving the station. The red car driver pointed at it and said, "There you go, Chiang Mai - Tha Ton, it's leaving now!" I managed to catch the bus and left a little earlier than planned. On the way, if I felt sleepy or tired, I would just sleep on the bus and sleep soundly.

Tell the driver to let you know when you reach Lotus Chiang Dao. He will shout it out. Alternatively, once you enter the city center, keep an eye on the left side. You will see Lotus on your left. Get off the bus and walk past the 7-Eleven on your left. There is a small alley on the right. The songthaew will be parked nearby. It's a villager's pickup truck converted into a songthaew that goes up to Chiang Dao. However, it won't leave for a while as it runs on a schedule. So, grab something to eat first. The khao kha moo (braised pork leg on rice) here is delicious. More importantly, I made a friend as soon as I got off the bus. I saw a young woman who seemed lost and confused, so we started talking while waiting for the songthaew. She told me that she also enjoys traveling alone and that we were on the same train, but we didn't see each other. She said that she used to travel with friends, but their schedules don't match anymore, and they don't like the same travel style, so they've drifted apart.

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The driver asked for my phone number, which was important. He then threw my backpack into the car and went to pick up other passengers, leaving me waiting. Other cars were queuing up, and I could have switched to another one, but my backpack was in this car. So, I sat there feeling annoyed with another backpacker who was also traveling alone. It was like we were sharing the same fate.

This photo was taken on a shared taxi, with the help of a fellow passenger.

The view is breathtaking! Lush greenery as far as the eye can see, with mist in the distance. The intermittent rain adds to the beauty of the pre-monsoon fog.

The taxi fare was 50 baht because there were many of us, so it was not expensive. We arrived at our accommodation first, which is called Baan Wiw Doi Luang. Our companions stayed at Baan Sai Mahok. We actually arrived before check-in time, around 10:00 AM. Don't forget to tell the driver to pick us up tomorrow, and at what time. However, I forgot to ask for his phone number. More importantly, there is no phone signal here, so I don't know if we can reach him even if we have his number. We have to walk to certain trees to get internet access.

Each house has a name. This is our house, Viman Duan.

After checking in, I took a look around the accommodation to see the view.

"Oh... I'm still thinking that if it doesn't rain with this kind of open sky, it would be bad. No one likes the rainy season, but if you want to see the beautiful fog, you should visit from the rainy season to the beginning of winter. The fog is very thick. After finishing everything, I went out for a walk around the village to check other accommodations. The accommodations are all the same price, 500 baht. Two meals are included, one for the evening of arrival and one for the morning of departure. If you get hungry often, it is recommended to bring snacks from the 7-Eleven downstairs. I didn't see any shops, but some people said there were, but it would be much cheaper to buy them from downstairs. There are many places that are restaurants and cafes, catering to tourists here and there."

This is the Baan Rabeang Dao that everyone is vying to book. The view is amazing, but we think every spot is beautiful. You can take photos anywhere in the accommodation.

Is it better to come alone or as a couple? This place is quite peaceful and suitable for relaxing and looking at greenery. Don't come in a group or for a party.

Extensive construction and expansion on Doi Chiang Dao may have contributed to the recent news of demolitions of several accommodations due to encroachment on the forest. While tourism generates income, it is crucial to respect regulations to ensure harmonious coexistence with the environment. Excessive construction often necessitates the removal of trees, which can have detrimental consequences.

The adorable mountain child wouldn't let me take their picture, always hiding and being mischievous.

The activity is nothing special. I already told you that it is suitable for relaxation, walking, sightseeing, and taking pictures. The internet is not working, so I started to feel that if it doesn't rain, I will probably see this kind of dry atmosphere. Where is the moisture?

After exploring the village, a local resident suggested I check out the nearby rice paddies on the hillside. Intrigued, I ventured further, but soon realized there was nothing of note. As dusk approached, the increasing number of mosquitoes and the growing sense of isolation prompted me to turn back. While I believe the deeper sections might offer scenic views and lush vegetation, the dense undergrowth and overwhelming presence of mosquitoes ultimately led to my retreat.

Dressed in a way that blends in with the locals, they arrived discreetly, like people from the mountains.

The place is full of signs, which is not aesthetically pleasing. However, the local residents do not have access to the internet, so the only way to promote the event is through these signs or word-of-mouth.

The view from the "Baan Sai Maok" guesthouse is quite impressive, offering a spacious and open feel. It rivals the "Rabien Dao" balcony in terms of scenic beauty. Upon inquiring with the owner, I learned that two female guests had recently arrived, each staying in separate houses. It seems I'm not the only solo female traveler here. While the separate accommodations provide privacy and affordability, I hesitate to intrude on the other guest's space. Solo travelers often appreciate their privacy, and we tend to have an unspoken understanding of respecting each other's boundaries. Excessive socializing or intrusion is generally avoided.

Now, let's talk about my friend who shared the same fate as me when we were young.

#Giffthesolofemaletraveler
If one day you read this, you might find it funny or maybe annoyed that we're gossiping about you to others. But it's a story we encounter every time we travel, and it becomes a good memory for us. Nowadays, many women travel alone. Almost everywhere we go, we always meet women traveling solo.
And here too, Chiang Dao District, Chiang Mai Province. We met Gift when we got off the bus in front of Lotus Chiang Dao. We saw her walking alone as if she was looking for something. It seemed like we were coming from the same direction because there were only villagers around here. We bought some stuff at 7-Eleven and came out to see her still walking around. So we went to talk to her. Oh! It turned out we were going to the same place but staying at different accommodations. Gift, the solo traveler, said that she used to travel in a group, backpacking and having a lot of fun. But now her friends are sometimes free and sometimes not, but she wanted to come here, so she came. She came by herself. We took the same free train and transferred to the same bus, so we had a friend to chat with while waiting for the bus. Before we knew it, she called us "older sister" lol. "You're only 20 years old and you can backpack on your own like this, I'm so jealous. But I'm 13 years older than you and I just started myself," she said in shock. "Oh! I thought you weren't even 30 yet. I thought you were 25-26," she said. Wow! I should be happier than winning the lottery lol.
In all the places we've been, the youngest solo female backpacker we met was 18 years old, Nong Spoil, a 6th year student from Mahasarakham University. She was backpacking and taking a bus to Vietnam when she met us. We went through a difficult checkpoint crisis in Laos and Vietnam together. We clicked right away.
.......We parted ways with Gift at our accommodation and tried to ask around for the Baan Saimok guesthouse, asking for the woman who came alone and was a bit muscular, like me lol. "Which one? There are 2 houses where women are staying alone right now," the caretaker said. Wow! Good! There are only women staying alone. Wow! Gift, your house is beautiful. It's really beautiful. The angles are good too. The accommodations are really good and beautiful in different ways. The price is the same. And we let our indie friend take pictures while we went for a walk. If you zoom in on this picture, it's funny. She glanced at us as if to see if we were gone yet? To take a selfie lol. I wonder if she was secretly taking pictures?

Exhausted from walking around after transferring between multiple vehicles, I fell asleep as soon as I arrived at my accommodation. The weather had turned cool, and I slept soundly until the evening, enjoying the pleasant air. When I woke up, it was already five or six o'clock, so I continued to admire the view, feeling a little drowsy but invigorated by the fresh air.

Dinner time! It was so dark when we ate. The Karen chili paste was delicious, very spicy, and expensive if you buy it to take home. 55555 But it was delicious.

There is nothing to do in this activity. I just sleep. I go to bed at nine o'clock because the electricity will be cut off at ten o'clock. There is no electricity, no internet, and nothing to do but sleep. There are no stars because it is the rainy season and the sky is cloudy.

I woke up with a start at 5 am to the sound of heavy rain. It looked like it wasn't going to stop anytime soon. Every time I walked out to look, it was just a white blur. I wonder if I'll be able to see anything beautiful if it keeps raining like this every day. I guess I'll just have to accept it when I travel during the rainy season.

Despite the rain having stopped, the streets remained deserted, suggesting that everyone was still comfortably asleep. Undeterred, we ventured out, braving the slightly muddy conditions. However, we couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment, as we had hoped to experience more during our visit.

The dog enjoys the rain very much.

Oh, that's good, really good.

She came out in her pajamas. The house with the balcony facing the Doi Luang view is opposite the accommodation. I walked over first. Oh my god!

After that, we walked to another homestay to compare the views. Oh my, it was amazing! There was no one around, and it was only drizzling a little.

I wish I could sit here like this for a long time.

It's breakfast time. Come here, eat, walk, take pictures, and just relax your mind.

The car I booked for 10 am hasn't arrived yet. I've been waiting for a long time. Some people said that the car is full and has already left. I'm starting to get worried. The car won't be running all day. They're all gone. I guess I'll have to hitchhike or catch a ride with someone. But don't worry about who to go with. In the end, there are cars coming up all the time. It should be around noon. But waiting for several hours makes me a little discouraged. Most importantly, ask around. Ask anyone, they might be able to help. If there's no car, you can catch a ride with someone.

We encountered another woman traveling alone. We noticed her sitting by herself, looking around, and it seemed she wasn't with anyone. We didn't take a picture of her, but we thought it would be better not to.

A tale of two solo travelers: On my way back from a trip, I encountered a woman traveling alone, just like me. At our accommodation, we met another solo traveler. With no shared transportation available, we waited patiently for the accommodation's return trip at 10 am. I noticed a young woman sitting alone, seemingly enjoying her solitude. I struck up a conversation, and to my surprise, she was indeed traveling solo. She had escaped from a trip with friends in Hua Hin, where she felt unwelcome. As I often experience, those who initially decline invitations often express regret later.

Two of our group descended the mountain, leaving the young woman and me. I rode in the back of the pickup truck, while she sat in front. I regret not asking her name. She planned to stay in the city for a night before continuing her journey to Chiang Rai. Her first solo trip was an inspiration, taking her far and wide.

I often engage in conversations with fellow solo travelers, sharing stories of our adventures and the thrill of exploration. The spark in our eyes reflects our shared excitement. We rarely exchange contact information, content with the fleeting connection. Who knows, our paths may cross again someday as we continue our individual journeys.

A simple smile, a friendly demeanor, and the courage to initiate conversations can transform a solitary journey into a rich tapestry of human connection. Even when traveling alone, we need not feel isolated. Instead, our world expands with each encounter, enriching our lives in ways we may not even realize.

Two people came down and sent them to the bus stop. The fare was 100 baht per person because there were few people.

The return fare is still 40 baht, and the drop-off point is Chang Phuak Bus Terminal.

I'm back! I took a red truck to the train station for another 20 baht. I asked the driver to take this picture for me. I wanted a picture of myself hanging on to a red truck.

The journey is not yet over. As the saying goes, the journey is not about the destination, but about the stories along the way.

Traveling solo often leads to unexpected encounters with new companions. During my recent train journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (third-class ticket, 271 baht), I met a fellow passenger who was embarking on their first-ever train ride. Despite the cramped seating arrangement, we found comfort in separate seats, as the train was relatively empty, allowing for ample legroom and flexibility.

As we journeyed, we shared our appreciation for the scenic landscapes, each pointing out captivating views to the other. Despite my frequent train travels, I never tire of the ever-changing vistas, especially during the rainy season when the lush greenery is at its peak. Our shared excitement and genuine smiles reflected our mutual appreciation for nature's beauty. "We're so much luckier than those who travel by other means," my companion remarked. "Let's take plenty of pictures to show the city dwellers these amazing trees!"

Their simple words resonated deeply. Sharing a passion with a fellow traveler, engaging in conversations solely focused on our shared interests, without any social constraints, created a truly enriching experience. It was a reminder of the simple joys found in connecting with like-minded individuals.

Wandering aimlessly on a train, I found myself in Chiang Mai, unsure of what the future held. Surrounded by solo female travelers, I realized that traveling alone is not an uncommon experience. In fact, many people yearn for the freedom and self-discovery that solo travel offers.

The cost of the free train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The return train fare is 271 baht, the red car round trip is 40 baht, the bus round trip is 80 baht, the car up and down the mountain is 150 baht, the accommodation is 500 baht, a total of 1041 baht. Plus or minus the cost of snacks, depending on who eats, it's 300 baht, right? Just over a thousand baht. In fact, it's fun to travel without thinking too much or planning too much.

See you in the next review. If you'd like to read about my solo travel experiences, please visit the "Traveling Solo" page.