My mates over at momondo have challenged me and my fellow travel bloggers to talk about our most authentic travel experiences around the world. So with that in mind, this is a brief summary of my time in Thailand…
Thailand has a reputation for having some spectacular beaches, some of the friendliest people on earth, and food that is to die for. I have been lucky enough to have travelled through the country for a few months and I can tell you that my experiences there changed my life.
I travelled from the north to the south multiple times, I wandered through ancient ruins, played in a river with elephants, and nearly burned my tongue off by accidentally eating a Thai chili a few times. The people, culture, natural beauty and lifestyle is what makes this country so appealing. In fact, may never want to leave this place.
I’ll give you a quick rundown of the places I have been and the highlights I’ve experienced just to give you a taste of what it’s like in Thailand.
I started in the old capital of Ayutthaya. This city was a nice welcome to the majestic temples that have semi-lasted over decades of time. It’s really an amazing experience to wander the temple ruins in the city and to think what it might have looked like before.
The capital of Bangkok is only an hour away and my times there have either been spent drinking a bucket of whiskey, sipping a drink floors up in the sky on a rooftop bar, or navigating through intense traffic, people, malls…You name it. Bangkok takes everything to the max.
I remember thinking I needed to go home with something for my friends and family. I left it until the night before my flight and wandered around the largest weekend market in the world, Chatuchak market. Eight hours later and $300 USD, I bought heaps of things for everybody back home. It was an insane day of shopping!
The city of Chiang Mai is an obvious choice for many travellers and when you get here, you know why. There is everything, but at the same time it is not as over-done as most major cities in the world. The city somehow mountains a generally chill vibe, most things are still in walking distance, and the mountains are just outside the city. I spent a lot of time just hanging out here and meeting cool people passing through.
Perhaps one of my most favourite cities is just a quick three hour shot up north to the town of Pai. Chill, hippy-feeling, and absolutely stunning nature is what this little town offers. I would just have the time pass me by without even realizing it as I sat with my book in the mountains, savouring every crisp fresh breath I took.
Since I am a guy from New Zealand, I must have my beaches. Krabi is a popular destination for those amazing beaches you see on post cards. The limestone mountains are dramatic and the blue waters are inviting. I really can’t say anything more about this place, because words do it no justice.
Lastly, one of my favorite islands is Koh Chang. Although it’s been on the tourist map for a long time, it still maintains chill vibes, and there are beaches on the island where you can be secluded. It’s an awesome island to visit for any traveller type.
Thailand is a great way to welcome yourself to Asia and I love recommending it to all that ask me about it.
Photo credit: Stuck in Customs via photopin cc
Leave a Reply