Part 1 – The Flight
We will leave at 1 pm from Atlanta and arrive in Bangkok,Thailand the next evening around 9 pm. There is a short layover in Seoul, South Korea. Overall, we will be in the air for about 20 hours. Thailand is 12 hours ahead of Georgia.

Part 2 – Bangkok
As the capital and largest city in Thailand, there is plenty to do. We will pack in as much as possible in 3 days. Bangkok is known for its culture, food and crazy nightlife. I’m sure we will spend time shopping, visit the floating markets and may catch a Muay Thai match.

Part 3 – Chiang Mai
The overnight sleeper train will take us to Chiang Mai. This ride is said to be a great in experience in itself. Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand situated in the mountains. It is extremely modern but thought to be more laid back than Bangkok. Chiang Mai is known for its history, culture, food and proximity to beautiful natural sites. We will spend 3 days and 3 nights here, during which we hope to visit the Patara Elephant Farm and rent a bicycle for touring the old city.
In Chiang Mai, we start the fourth phase of our adventure. We plan to rent a motorcycle and complete the Mae Hon Song loop. Our motorcycle selection may be limited. Dustin hopes to end up with something greater than 400cc renting from a reputable establishment like Mr. Mechanic.

Part 4 – Mae Hon Song Loop
Four nights and five days are dedicated to riding the Mae Hon Song loop. This popular route takes you from Chiang Mae into the mountainous Mae Hong Son province and back. It is a 600 km (375 miles) paved road that is said to be one of the most beautiful rides in the world. Along the way we plan to stop in three towns…
First is Mae Sariang. After traveling 237 km (148 miles) we will arrive in this quaint little riverside town that is not often visited. We will probably stay here for a night and may take a boat trip along the Mae Nam Salawin.
Second is Mae Hong Son. This is the half way point of the loop, only 85 km (53 miles) from Mae Sariang. The town of Mae Hong Son, the capital of the Mae Hong Son Province, lies in a valley of the mountains that border Burma and Thailand.
Third is the increasing popular town of Pai. We will travel 203 km (126 miles) to reach this beautiful little town. Surprisingly, this tiny town nestled high in the mountains of extreme northern Thailand is full of cafes, bookstores, and guesthouses. We will stay here for 2 nights, during which time we will spend one day at the Pai Piranha Fishing Park. Dustin will be in heaven. I hope to work in a yoga class.
Finally, we will travel the 129 km (80 mile) stretch back to Chiang Mai. Although this doesn’t seem like a long way to go, it will probably take us 4 hours because of the twisty road.

Part 5 – Phuket.
Now, we relax. But first we drop off the bike and get on a plane, heading to the beaches of Phuket.
Phuket is an island off the south-west coast of Thailand. Here we will stay 3 nights. We hope to soak up the sun, visit the mangrove swamp and take tour of the Khao Sok National Park (part of the oldest unspoiled natural rain forest).

Part 6 – Ko Samui
A plane takes us to the beaches on the other side of Thailand. Ko Samui is the largest, most populated of the three sister islands. We will stay here 3 nights, probably doing little more than relaxing on the beach.

Part 7 – Ko Tao
A ferry will take us to the smallest of the three sister islands, Ko Tao. This island is bordered by a large coral reef, so it is mostly known for its diving and snorkeling. We will spend 2 nights here admiring the beautiful fish in the reef surrounding the island.

Part 8 – The Trip Home
Alas, we must return to real life. We will take a ferry back to Ko Samui and fly from there back to Bangkok through Seoul and back to Atlanta.

The entire trip will take about 17 days. We have not finalized all of the small details yet, but are very close. We look forward to sharing our adventures with all of you. Thanks for your support!