Welcome to thailand… where everything is a party and the rules don’t matter.
Our time in Thailand was filled with delicious food, stunning temples, beautiful beaches, and a rich culture.
We flew into Bangkok, where we spent four days exploring the different neighborhoods and indulging in the local cuisine. Some of the highlights included visiting the famous Wat Arun and the Reclining Buddha, as well as exploring the Creative District and the Artist’s House.
We made a DIY walking tour of the Creative District, which is home to a variety of spaces, including galleries, cafes, and shops, all curated to showcase the work of local artists and designers. We especially enjoyed walking through Warehouse 30, an old warehouse that has been transformed into a trendy hub for art, culture, and community. We then headed to the Artist’s House which is a fun space tucked away on the side of a canal and a great space to relax. We spent a few hours enjoying the afternoon, taking a quick nap (Britt) and reading up on Phuket (Justin).
One thing that surprised us about Bangkok was just how much cash is still king. For such a large city, we may have run across one place that accepted card (except for the malls, of course).
Next, we headed to Phuket where we spent three days soaking up the sun on various beaches. We stayed in Phuket Town which was the most central area, but when we booked the hotel, we didn’t realize we would have to take city buses or taxis to access all of the beaches… and there were a lot of beaches. Information on the city bus was scarce and timetables non-existent, which led to a few challenges / mishaps.
The first day, we headed to Kamala Beach around 11AM, which had incredible white sand and great mountain views. Upon arriving to the beach around 1PM, we were informed that the last bus back to town was at 2PM… 😬. Fortunately, we had struck up a conversation with an English couple who we ultimately coordinated with for a ride back to Phuket Town.
The following day, we made our way to the famous Patong Beach, a chaotic beach booming with tourists. This time, we were told the last bus back was at 5 PM… it never arrived. So, alas, we were stuck in Patong, and we’d have to call a Grab (Uber of SE Asia) back to Phuket Town. We decided to make the best of it and explore Patong’s nightlife on Bangla Road. We found the cheapest beer on the strip and posted up to people watch. If you’ve been to or heard stories about Patong Beach… you’ll understand the craziness we observed. If not… let’s just say… it was quite the scene!
Another highlight from our time in Phuket was the spring roll from a restaurant in Phuket Town, One Chun. Their spring rolls were hands down the best we’ve ever had — so much so that we went two nights in a row! We even attempted a third time on our way back from Koh Phi Phi, but unfortunately our ferry was too late.
After Phuket, we spent four days on the island of Koh Phi Phi and fully embraced island life. We went on an island tour, which included snorkeling in crystal clear waters and visiting Maya Bay, made famous by the Leonardo DiCaprio movie, "The Beach".
We also had the best chicken wings of our lives at this tiny little shop that only opened at night, and for only a few hours. Locals were lined up for this woman’s wings and we were lucky to snag a few that we melted over. We tried to go back the next night but she had already closed. We will be dreaming about those wings for the rest of time.
Koh Phi Phi was a proper party island with fire shows, live music, bull riding, and amateur Muay Thai boxing going on all night long. One funny moment we had was when Britt finally put together (after three weeks in SE Asia) that the setlist for all live music is generally the same everywhere and that we will continue to hear Oasis, Abba, Jason Mraz, and Backstreet Boys pouring out of bars every night with locals and backpackers singing along in joyous camaraderie.
Finally, we ventured to Chiang Mai where we had the opportunity to visit an elephant sanctuary, spending time and playing with elephants rescued from various performing arts and riding facilities. What an experience! There were five elephants including a three year old baby, who was absolutely the cutest. We learned that adult male elephants leave their packs and only females stick together. During our visit, we got to feed, bathe, and learn how to best interact with the elephants. Beyond the elephant sanctuary, Chiang Mai had so much to offer — there was a top notch cafe culture, the best food we had in all of Thailand, and a lively music scene. Our favorite dish was Khao Soi, specifically from Khao Soy Maesai.
And on our last night, we visited the North Gate Jazz Co-Op where we listened to jazz for hours, snagging some of the best seats in the house. We had an absolute blast listening, singing, and dancing along with musicians from all around the world participating in open mic night.
Overall, Thailand was a true adventure and we know we’ll be back to explore more of this beautiful country. Now, let’s Cruz Together to Laos!
