Khao Sok National Park, Koh Lipe, and Bangkok in 9 Days – Day 8
Last year, I celebrated New Year’s Eve in Bangkok too, in Asiatique witnessing all the glory of firecrackers by the Chao Phraya when the clock struck 12 – so I have seen the madness of crowd in Bangkok during New Year’s eve already. This year, I planned to celebrate it in a different way. We were staying in Live It Up Hostel, Asok in Bangkok, which has a great open-air terrace party planned for the evening – that’s it, we were up for that. We visited the beautiful Khao Sok National Park during Christmas followed by relaxing in Koh Lipe before we arrived in Bangkok – now we do not intend to go out in the madness crowd at night, we were just looking forward to a cool hostel rooftop party – and yes, it was crazy!
Highlights of the Day
- South Indian Breakfast
- Loafing Around Grand Palace Bangkok
- Nepali Dinner
- Rooftop New Year’s Party
Live It Up Hostel, Asok, Bangkok
It is one of the adorable hostels I have lived in Bangkok.
Live It Up Hostel has two branches in Bangkok right now. The one we stayed in has a very convenient proximity to Asok BTS and Sukhumvit MRT, right in the middle of Bangkok’s tourist-favorite location. It is a great choice for group of friends to stay here. We had a great time there.
What Did We Do the Whole Day in Bangkok?
It was the 31st of December – the last day of the year. The whole city is getting ready for some massive parties and celebration at night. As we had decided to party at our hostel rooftop, we had the whole day free for us. We loafed around and had good time but made sure to come back to hostel by evening.
Finally, by 8 PM, we were inside the hostel. We took rest for few hours before getting geared up for the night.
New Year’s Party
The hostel rooftop started getting little crowded but not as much as I thought it would get, many of the hostel people must have gone out to celebrate the night. But we had a crazy and wonderful time there. We were allowed to bring our own drinks, which we did. There was also a barbecue option but we already had food, so that was not a concern. Drinks and company made our night memorable.
Finally, the clock struck midnight and there we welcomed a new day, a new era, a new year, a very happy new year!
Khao Sok National Park, Koh Lipe, and Bangkok in 9 Days – Day 9
This was the first day of the year, but sadly, the last day of our lovely trip. All of us had our flights sometime in the afternoon, late afternoon, and evening. After a late night party, of course, we all woke up pretty late. We had no other plans for the day except having a good massage followed by an excellent vegan brunch in one of my favorite vegan restaurants in the city before we board our respective flights back home.
Highlights of the Day
- Thai Massage
- Brunch in Veganerie
Thai Massage Nearby
There are massage parlors almost in every soi of Sukhumvit. We booked our massage sessions a day earlier in a parlor named “Ayutthaya”. That is the first thing we did in the morning. The first day of the new year had to start with a relaxing Thai massage. I would not call it the best, I would still recommend “Urban Retreat” in Sukhumvit for the best Thai massage experience.
Brunch at Veganerie Concept
Getting a massage also triggered our hunger. We took the Asok BTS to Phrom Phong BTS – just the next stop. I was so glad to visit one of my favorite vegan restaurants in Bangkok, called “Veganerie Concept”. We ordered all my favorite dishes from the menu – that is an advantage when you are in a group.
Goodbye
After brunch, we headed straight to our hostel, packed our bags, and checked out from hostel. Three of our friends had their flights from Suvarnabhumi International Airport. So they took the BTS from Asok to Phaya Thai and interchanged to the airport rail link from Phaya Thai to the airport directly. Other two friends had their flights from Don Mueang International Airport. They took the BTS from Asok to Mochit and interchanged to Airport bus from Mochit to the airport directly. I had to take bus from Mochit Bus Station, that is the northern terminal bus station in Bangkok. For that, I took the MRT from Sukhumvit to Kamphaeng Phet. Finally, I took a motorcycle taxi ride to the northern terminal bus station. From there, I got a bus ticket to Phitsanulok – the city in the north of Thailand where I stay now. Goodbye!
NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)
Let us have a look at the expenses of Days 8-9 in Thailand – Koh Lipe.
- Hostel in Bangkok for single bed (2 nights): 1000
- Entrance fee of Grand Palace complex: 500
- Getting around: 200
- Koh Lipe to Bangkok: 3500
- Food: 800
- Miscellaneous: 300
Total expense (roughly): 6300 THB
For an overall idea of itinerary and expense of the trip, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page. You can also have a look at Khao Sok National Park, Koh Lipe, and Bangkok in 9 Days – Itinerary and Expenses.
If you are planning for a much-organized, tastefully-curated, stress-free yet exciting vacation, consider booking your holidays at Travel Love Repeat. It is going to be a treat for sure!
The drawing of the lady outside Live It Up hostel looks like she’s Indian, haha. I have never stayed in a hostel but it makes total sense if you’re with friends or a solo traveller who’s outgoing and loves to make friends! So cool that they organised a New Years eve party for the residents. Grand Palace is gorgeous, I visited almost 5 years ago, didn’t take enough pictures I feel, so I will return to Bangkok some day. Love how you always share your costs, it’s super useful 🙂
Yes, you must come here once, and let me know before, I would love to meet you.
OMG how much fun did that look! Are you travelling with your friends for this New Year’s Eve too? I love Thailand for their food, which clearly you did too and their vegetarian and vegan options are so much better than most places. Love a good rooftop party in hot balmy weather! I have been thinking about a trip to Koh Lipe so I’m going to check out that post after this!
This New Year’s Eve, I will be in Berlin. Oh yes, you should totally look into Koh Lipe. It’s a dreamland.
This is an awesome post! Since August 2017 I’ve spent around 8months of my life in Thailand and a lot of that time exploring Bangkok! My girlfriend is lives in BKK so I know the place like the back of my hand. I love how in depth your article is, and I also enjoy the way you wrote it. I can tell you had a lot of fun and enjoyed it a lot! Thanks for sharing and keep up the awesome writing
Thanks for appreciating.
Ah I miss Bangkok, I lived in Thailand for 12 years. So always love reading people’s adventures about Thailand and Bangkok, one of my favourite cities. Often used to eat at Himalaya as a break from Thai food. And yes, i agree Urban Retreat was one of my fave spa spots too!!
How can you live without Thai food?
I LOVE all of your pictures. it sounds like you had an amazing new years and time in Bangkok. I don’t normally go for vegan food, but the pulled pork substitute and brownie looked delicious!! I also did the thai massage in Bangkok and was not expecting it to be so rough.. lol
Glad you liked them.
Looks like a great trip you had! I was there two year ago and I was going the same path. Bangkok is amazing with all the buddhist temples and gold. I loved the food as well. The hostel you stayed in looks super cool and friendly vibe. I am absolutely in love with the bucket sinks 😀
Hahahahhaa!
This itinerary looks like an eventful but fun-filled day! You’re right about the Grand Palace, it does look like a huge complex. I think the hop on, hop off boat tour would be a great way to get acclimated to the city. I love all the quirks of the city that you included in your post, including the sticker on the Tuk Tuk!
Glad you liked it, Martha.
Seems like you had an amazing time in Bangkok! I actually stayed in the same hostel the first time I visited Bangkok and had a lot of fun over there! Are you travelling with your friends this New Year as well?
No, this New Year, I was with my partner who is a friend of course.
What a fun time! That rooftop party would have been electric! Cool that you could bring your own drinks. I’m really into vegan and plant-based foods right now and love trying new versions of old favourites – so that vegan fried chicken and the pulled ‘pork’ sound delicious! I’d totally be hitting that place up if I get to Bangkok.
Yes, Juliette, it’s fun here.
Wow, you guys had a really memorable NYE in Bangkok! It makes my previous ones look really tame. My hostel days are long over, but I have to say, your rooftop soiree looked like a lot of fun! I’m not a veggie, but do enjoy many vegetarian dishes. That vegan dessert looks good too!
Come here, Lisa! It’s fun here.
I would enjoy starting the new year off by cleansing my feet in warm water then having a massage. That is a brilliant idea! It sounds so soothing (especially after a funfilled night). Looks like you enjoyed some delicious foods in Thailand, too. I would like to try the momos and hot chickpea curry. I am always up for trying new flavors. 😀
Yes, massage is heavenly.
I have travelled extensively yet my favourite city remains Bangkok. Full of life and what a place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. I love Asiatique and visited it last year. The fire works on the river must have been a great sight. Love the food options and the market in it as well. You can’t beat the vibes of Bangkok specially on New Year’s Eve.
Couldn’t agree more!
What a fun way to spend the New Year! I wouldn’t mind going with some friends too. I love the beautiful city of Bangkok and am glad you built in time to see the Great Palace and also to relax. This hostel is well located to see the sights. And thank you for the massage recommendation.
Bangkok is an openminded city. You would love it here, Annick.
Its good that you enjoyed your Bangkok vacation. This city is very openminded at the same time mindful on some things, and very accepting people. I think they are more humble than my fellow Filipinos.
I love Bangkok.
You have beautifully captured the new year vibes in your photos and words. The street art is fabulous. It looks so realistic. The food looks delicious and makes me hungry. What am amazing experience
Thanks dear.