1st week solo travelling at Chiang Mai

 Last year I did came to Chiang Mai for the 1st time for a month. I like the weather Nov - Feb in Chiang Mai as it get comfortably cool after evening. Therefore I went back in Jan 2026. This time I will be travelling alone up to 2 months visa free in Thailand. 

7kg bag for 3 months travel

Jackie is not with me as she had found a new full time job. After trying out 2 years travelling and remote working with me, she find its better if she can still stock some saving up for another 3 years. This time round as she undergo training with me, frugal man system so she will be able to save up quite quickly. 

I came here already 3 days, I went back to W2 hostel and catch shrimp and fishing at Ping River. This time I am able to show you my first lured fish of my life. Caught a snakehead on a gold spoon lure.

First lured fish sankehead on pen rod using spoon

Then I revisited Chiang Mai, Fishing pond which is super cheap, 100b whole day if you bring your own rod. But since the catfish is pretty big, I rent the rod, bait, fishing pass for whole day for only 300b. It is the cheapest fishing pond in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Chao Phraya Catfish caught at Chiang Mai fishing pond 

First Sunday in Chiang Mai I know where I suppose to go. Nong Ho Flea market was the biggest second hand market in Chiang Mai. I am surprise that the vintage Japanese bike is still available after 1 months. Before that he quoted 1,200b but this time round, I tried a couple of bike and found his bike not in the most good condition, I was about to walk away from his 800b price discounted. He called me back and said he can sell me at 600b. I counter offer 500b and he agreed!!!. End up he doesn't have change so I paid 560b instead. Giving some tips for the uncle. I think he still got a earning as the bike was put there for sometime now. Cashflow is King. For me I got it at a steal I think. Althought its full steel bike which is heavy and somemore is single geared with some cranking sound when peddling. But for $23 SGD, I just can park the bike everywhere.

Japanese old bike with basket and back rack, dynamo light included but not working

To note, some only bikes with gears are at ranges from 1,500b to 2,500b. Although they are quite nice to ride, but I am still a sucker for vintage item :) 

Some very nice micro, mini fishing reel I would like to get my hand on

 I was in Chiang Mai flea market, where I saw some vintage reel going to 300B each. I bought it and give it a play at home. I decided to keep the Shimano Club Demi 20RL as it is more castable than the Olympic New Mideget No. 4. 

Currently I am very into vintage reel which is slightly castable. I love small reel as I am able to bring them around easily to play luring or micro fishing. 

I started with my Pen rod but most of the configaration is non castable.

Today as I browse the internet, there are a couple of reel which I want to note down in the blog, as they are not easy to come by in Singapore so I have to go around, Japan or Thailand to hunt these in flea market.

Daiwa Coronet Mini

Daiwa Minicast (Set)