A New Year’s Escape to Srinagarindra Lake with Local Friends
Spent an unforgettable New Year’s at Srinagarindra Lake in Kanchanaburi with friends! We stayed in a floating raft house, grilled by the water, and enjoyed Thai music, gift exchanges, and fireworks at midnight. The next day was all about kayaking, fishing, and relaxing in the peaceful surroundings. If you’re looking for a quiet and unique way to celebrate, this spot is a must-visit! 🚤✨
🎆 A New Year’s Escape to Srinagarindra Lake with Local Friends
Hey everyone! Just wanted to share this little adventure I had over New Year’s at Srinagarindra Lake in Kanchanaburi. If you’re looking for a chill, off-the-beaten-path experience for the holidays, this might be the perfect spot for you.
🌇 The Journey to the Lake
I decided to drive out of Bangkok for the New Year holiday after one of my local friends kept telling me to ditch the usual tourist spots. They were like, “Trust me, we’ve got our own places.” So, I figured why not?
A few hours later, I’m driving through quiet roads, small villages, and before I knew it – boom, Srinagarindra Lake was right in front of me. It was huge, peaceful, and honestly, exactly what I needed to shake off the city stress and welcome the new year.
🏠 Floating into the New Year
My friends had already booked this floating raft house, which was honestly the coolest thing. It sways a little on the water, but after a while, you don’t even notice. We unpacked, got comfy, and just sat by the water watching the sun dip behind the mountains.
We grilled up some pla nin (tilapia), feet dangling over the water, chatting and laughing as it got dark. It felt like a little bubble away from everything else.
🎉 New Year’s Eve Fun and Chill Vibes
As the evening rolled in, nearby raft houses started playing Thai music, and some people were even singing along. We ended up joining a small gift exchange game with one of the neighboring groups. It was simple – grab whatever small gift you brought and swap it around until everyone ends up with something. The whole thing was lighthearted, with lots of laughs and some surprise gifts.
Around midnight, a few fireworks lit up the sky from the floating restaurant across the lake. The atmosphere was warm and laid-back, and everyone just enjoyed the moment, welcoming the new year in the calmest way possible.
🚤 Day Two: Starting the Year by the Water
The next morning, my friends dragged me out of bed. “We have to start the year right!” they said. So we grabbed kayaks and paddled around the nearby islands, taking in the morning sun and the crisp air. By noon, we headed back to the raft house, grilled up more food, and lounged by the water. Some locals even showed us how to fish by hand – not that I was any good at it, but it was fun trying!
The afternoon was spent just swimming and soaking up the peaceful surroundings. It felt like the perfect way to ease into the new year without any rush.
📃 If You Go:
Book Early – These places fill up fast during New Year.
Pack Warm – Nights by the lake get chilly!
Talk to Locals – They’ll tell you about the best food and secret spots.
Try the Grilled Fish – Seriously, don’t skip it.
If you’re looking for a peaceful way to celebrate the next New Year or just want a unique weekend getaway, I can’t recommend this enough. Let me know if you’ve been or if you’re planning to go – I’d love to hear about it!