Holiday Inspiration: Thailand

There is so much to explore in Thailand, two weeks did not feel enough. Considering, I wanted to spend a good amount of time doing nothing but lying on the lovely beaches, taking a deep in the turquoise blue waters, sipping my cocktails and having as many of those cheap massages as possible while the sun blew away. 
I managed to enjoy a number of things though, and can say it has been one of my most memorable travels.
Thailand is located in Southeast Asia. The official language is Thai but many of the natives make an effort to speak English especially with tourists who are major contributors to the country's income.

Our first stop was Bangkok. We stayed at the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, found in one of the world's tallest buildings. The view, the view! You could see the whole city and beyond from up there.
This hotel also had the best and biggest breakfast buffet I have ever seen. A whole floor dedicated to cuisines from all over the world.

View from the Baiyoke Sky Hotel Restaurant 

After all that food, a good walk was must. So we hit the busy streets. The people were so polite and welcoming. The city is generally chaotic but interesting. 
The prices of things in this country will have your jaw dropping over and over again, that called for some intense shopping. And you can haggle over almost everything too :-)
Don't miss trying a ride in the three wheeled taxis popularly known as the 'tuk-tuk' while you get around.

The tuk-tuk taxi

We then took a tour of some of the beautiful, historic temples and palaces in the land. These landmarks have amazing architecture.

            

Wat Pho temple of the reclining buddha

                              

Golden Buddah at Wat Traimit

The floating market where goods, mostly fruits and vegetables are sold on boats was quite colorful and fascinating. They also cook some local delicacies on those boats that you can give a go.

After few days in Bangkok, we went over to Thailand's largest island, Phuket, located in the South. It has beautiful, long sandy beaches, some more active than others depending on your preference. 
Some of the activities to indulge in on the island are snorkeling, island hopping, diving, sailing, cave touring, elephant rides, not forgetting the bustling nightlife on the beaches.
The party central is Patong beach, full of bars, pubs, restaurants, and discos. There was never a dull moment. The atmosphere in this place made me understand why Thailand is a famous destination for bachelors too.

Canoe tour through the caves

Phi phi islands (location for the movie 'The Beach'), just 45 minutes away by speedboat were simply paradise. Planning a getaway? This could be the place for you.

Spending some time with the locals

Another 40 minutes away is the famous James Bond island (Khao Phing Kan) that featured in the James Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun. And yes, it's as lovely as it appeared in the movie.

The elephant rides were another pretty interesting activity. Trekking through the tropical forest, going up and down some hills on the back of an elephant was an amazing experience. I must admit it was a little terrifying being up there. I imagined what could happen if the elephant suddenly got mad in the middle of nowhere. But we were assured that our safety was guaranteed.

I love to try new foods when I travel. Thailand was no exception. Eating local is an experience in itself. 
Thai food is delicious so it was great tasting it right from the origin. Even if, there were a few things on the menu that I was a bit hesitant to try like the wood worm and bamboo worm insects.

 Popular snack in Thailand, fried insects

For 10 dollars or less, I could have a 90 minutes Thai massage. Awesome! :-)
You will find more than one massage parlor on every street. Watch out for the dingy ones,  it's better to have a good look around before you lay down.

Fantastic scenary

  Meals on the beachside

 A glimpse of the entertainment on Patong beach

All in all, Thailand should be on every traveler's must-go list. 
Keep in mind that there is always an inflated price on things for tourists, the trick is to negotiate.
The weather is typically tropical so you can visit all year through. The highest temperatures are around April while July to October is 'the rainy season'. 
I was there in August and it was perfect. Just few showers some days for a short while which was ok to cool down the air a bit. Otherwise, there was more than enough sun to go out and enjoy the beach. 


LT