S1 E35 | Chiang Mai Scooter Ride and Our First 7-Eleven Food Experience in Thailand

This day in Chiang Mai began with us repacking our lives into something smaller. Instead of hauling our heavy rucksacks, we decided to pack light for a two-day scooter trip. Two small bags, a red scooter we’d nicknamed the “Red Rooster,” and a sense of freedom were all we needed.

Before hitting the road, we made an important stop: 7-Eleven. For most people in Thailand, it’s just a convenience store. But for budget travelers like us — especially vegetarians — it quickly became a lifesaver.

We were honestly struggling to find vegetarian food, but the staff went out of their way to help. They checked ingredients, reassured us (“no meat, no chicken, no fish”), and even picked out extra items for us. Their kindness reminded us why travel is about people as much as places.

Our brunch turned into a 7-Eleven feast:

• Steamed bun with nuts – soft, warm, and filled with a mildly bitter but tasty nutty filling.

• Spaghetti noodles with chili, mushroom, and tofu – spicy, garlicky, and surprisingly delicious for a convenience store meal. The mushrooms added a nice texture, and the basil leaves gave it an extra kick.

• Plain yogurt and plant-based snacks – simple, but exactly what we needed for the road.

It amazed us how much variety 7-Eleven offered — from Thai and Southeast Asian dishes to Korean and Japanese options, plus coffee, iced tea, and even machines where you can add as much ice as you want. And all of it at budget-friendly prices.

Fueled up, we hopped back on our scooter and began the two-and-a-half-hour ride. With Shish in her red helmet and jacket, blending perfectly with our scooter, we cruised past small towns and roadside shops. Along the way, we made a few random stops — for water, for snacks, even just for rest when the heat caught up with us.

It wasn’t a dramatic day. No big temples or famous attractions. Just the simple joy of slow travel in Thailand — finding food, meeting kind strangers, and feeling the road beneath our wheels. For us, it’s days like these that make full-time travel such a special journey.