The Journey to Jungle Tree house

After arriving in Bangkok, Thailand, and reacquainting myself with the city after more than 30 years, I noticed that while some things remain the same, such as the temples, museums, and key sights, other aspects have changed, including the city’s growth and infrastructure.

Back in my mid-twenties, I ventured solo to Southeast Asia as a backpacker and visited many places. I explored India, Nepal, Thailand, several Indonesian islands, Malaysia, and Singapore. I saw all the must-see spots and met many people along the way, some of whom are still my friends today.

As I mentioned, this journey is about experiences rather than simply ticking off destinations or activities. I’m here for meaningful, unique moments, and so far, that is exactly what I’ve had.

I decided to take a ten-hour overnight bus from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, with plans to eventually reach Chiang Rai. I had come across a YouTuber from the UK named Paddy who travels extensively and explores places that are not often found in guidebooks. One of his clips featured a visit to a treehouse outside Chiang Mai, in Chiang Dao, which is about two hours away.

I booked a first-class bus ticket online. It was a non-stop trip departing at 9:30 PM and arriving at 7:00 AM the next day. The bus had fewer passengers, a hostess serving drinks and snacks, and promised a more comfortable experience than a regular bus. There are also "Gold Class" buses, which are quite similar in comfort to First Class.

I took a Grab (the Southeast Asian version of Uber) to the massive bus terminal. Once there, I felt a bit lost. More than fifteen bus counters were all labeled in Thai. I noticed an African man sitting nearby and asked if he knew what to do next. His friend showed up and advised me to check in at the counter, much like you would at an airport.

They started asking a lot of questions. They wanted to know what type of ticket I had, where I was going, and how much I paid. It felt a little intrusive, but I answered politely. Eventually, I found the correct counter and checked in. While waiting, I overheard the two men saying my ticket was expensive because it included air conditioning, a hostess, and snacks. I thought to myself, it is my money and my choice.

I waited in the bus bay for about an hour and observed the crowd. Most of the passengers were locals, and I noticed very few foreigners. I saw two bus drivers chatting and taking photos. One of them had a gun tucked into the front of his waistband while the other snapped pictures. I wondered if this was normal. Was he protecting himself from passengers or from other dangers on the road?

That moment made me slightly uneasy. I scanned the other drivers but did not see any other weapons. I reminded myself that I still had my Swiss Army multi-functional knife, just in case.

An older woman sitting nearby with her grandson asked where I was going. We attempted to chat, but her English was limited. She was friendly though, which helped pass the time.

Finally, my bus arrived. It was First Class from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The driver remained seated, and the uniformed hostess helped us board and find our seats. I was lucky to have no one seated next to me.

When booking online, they ask for your gender so that you are seated in the women’s section of the bus. I have never encountered this before and am unsure whether it is for cultural or religious reasons. I have also noticed that monks seem to get preferred seating, although there were none on this trip.

As we departed, I did not see any sign of a weapon on the driver or hostess, which eased my concern. The hostess gave a safety briefing in Thai, which I could not understand, but I assumed it covered basic safety information like those on trains and airplanes.

Soon after departure, the hostess handed out snacks. We received bottled water, a box of berry juice, a packet of cookies or biscuits, and a spicy dried squid snack. Later, she offered a pork sandwich, which I declined. After that, she moved to the front of the bus.

There was a metal door separating the driver's area from the passengers. It appeared to be locked and reminded me of a prison transport vehicle. Only the hostess opened and closed it. I asked myself whether this was a safety feature or something to worry about.

The lights dimmed and most people quickly fell asleep, except for me and a young girl to my left. Our seats had individual screens, though they did not work. There was a massage function in the seat, which I used to help me relax.

A man seated behind me began snoring loudly. I regretted forgetting my earplugs. I went to the bathroom at the back of the bus. It was not bad, but the toilet was extremely low, which meant I had to almost squat. I decided to avoid drinking anything else for the rest of the journey.

About an hour before arrival, the hostess returned with a refresher towel and a box of soymilk. I assumed this was meant as breakfast or a light snack. She played jazzy Thai café music and made a short announcement in Thai, finishing with a thank you, "Kop Khun Kha," which I understood.

Overall, it was a memorable experience. I have taken public buses in Brazil, Panama, India, Nepal, and all across Southeast Asia. I enjoy them because they offer authenticity and cultural insight. Most people are kind and helpful.

Upon arriving in Chiang Mai, I had arranged to meet my driver at a McDonald’s around the corner from the bus station. I had not been inside a McDonald’s in years, but I waited there for about an hour until he arrived.

The drive to Chiang Dao took two hours. The roads were narrow and curved through the mountains. At one point, part of the road was blocked due to erosion from recent rain, but a caterpillar machine was already working to clear it.

The scenery was breathtaking. Lush greenery, tropical trees, and fruit trees like banana, mango, and longan lined the route.

The tree house is incredible. It is quiet, calming, and feels like a retreat for the soul. You can see the mountains, hear the river flowing, and enjoy the songs of birds, all while surrounded by nature. It reminds me of my time at the silent retreat in Bali.

We all need moments like this. A chance to reconnect with nature, to listen to its natural sounds, and to feel a deep sense of peace.