Part of the richness of the long term travel lifestyle is that often you have so much free time you have to turn hanging out into a practice; basically figure out what to do with yourself. In today's busy world learning to enjoy yourself, your time, while staying on budget can sometimes be a challenge. Recently in Chiang Mai Thailand I found a great "Travel Pro Hang Out Hot-Spot" at the Bowling Alley in Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Center just outside the north west corner of old city.
Monday through Friday from 11:00 - 3:00 they offer three games for 3 dollars. Shoe rental is technically another 90 cents! So for less than four dollars you can hang out here for a while and do a little bowling. If you like to drink they have beer and a full menu of Thai food and snacks to enjoy as well.
One may think at these prices there must be something wrong with the place; but that is not true at all. It is just how it is here in Thailand a great "pay less get more" country. The service and bowling ally was every bit as good as I recall back home in Albany New York.
I went with my friend George from London. He goes by "Rozay" for his bowling name. Being American and having bowled many times as a child; I actually did pretty well with that muscle memory thing. I haven't bowled in maybe 10 years, but I scored a whopping 164. "Rozay" didn't break 100 any of the games, but we had a great time.
The bowling alley is in this huge multi level shopping mall, we walked around for a while and found several places offering hour long Thai Massage for $4.50. Having plenty of time to do nothing or everything, we both enjoyed great Thai Massages. At this point we were living the high life on a whopping $8.40.
With all that intense labor of bowling and getting our bodies rubbed, we worked up an appetite and decided to walk down the street to this great hot pot buffet. All you can eat for $6. Three hours and 30 chicken wings later and who knows how much other food we devoured, we headed out for a night on the town. Neither of us drink or smoke but we enjoy socializing and playing pool. We had a great time and met interesting people from all around the world.
In "Travel Pro" fashion, for less than $15 it was a great way to spend an afternoon and evening with good company. I'll have a great post coming soon detailing this traditional Thai "hot pot" buffet. It was a real cultural treat. So good we ended up going back two other times! If you enjoyed this post and want to learn how to live life "Travel Pro" go ahead and click that follow button. Until next time - Dan "World Travel Pro!"
Not To be Missed!
Real Life Captured #10 : Nong Mong Market Bang Sean Thailand Part Two (14 photos)
With over 10 years of travel experience I answer travel and international lifestyle questions. Leave a question in the comments and I may make a video just for you!
