The Land of Smiles: Thailand!
If you are looking for an affordable vacation in an idyllic tropical getaway, Thailand might be for you. Thai culture values serenity and handles disagreement with a smile. I came to Thailand twice, once alone and the other with one of my good friends, Barbie (no, not Margot Robbie or the toy). Despite the Hangover movies, Thailand is much safer than other countries and certainly safe enough to travel alone. It is just as fun as traveling by yourself as it is traveling with friends.
Phuket
It is home to one of the biggest Buddhas in Thailand, mythical-like temples with Sino-Portuguese Architecture streets that become alive during the vegetarian festival season. If you think about Uber, well, let’s just say that you can get a cheaper fair if you bargain with motorbike riders. Safety check? A helmet will do for me. Paragliding is one of the most common activities to do here, which I missed but worth mentioning. The temple you see in the pictures is called Wat Chalong, and it depicts Buddha’s life through its wall paintings. A few “steps” ahead, you can find the Wat Khao Rang temple, which was the first home to the Big Buddha. Finally, you can take a tour of Phuket’s Big Buddha. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the island, with sweeping vistas of Phuket Town, Kata, Karon beaches, and Chalong Bay.
Ko Phi Phi Islands
These Islands offer stunning sights and exceptional diving or snorkeling sites. So roaming through the coastline feels like a not-so-secret heaven to which you must visit. The islands are known from the limestone cliff from which you jump off and submerge in the turquoise water. The Viking Cave is a popular tourist attraction, but I was a bit more focused on my diving course, so I didn’t part in it. The nightlife is one for the books. You can enjoy a fire show, a dancing scene, karaoke, and much more, regardless of your budget! Did I mention I got my PADI – Open Water – Certification here? If not, check out my awesome instructor so you can get yours too!
Pattaya
The otherworldly Sanctuary of Truth to the wild walking streets; if a fun time on land is what you are looking for here, Pattaya should be one of your stops! I mean, that is unless you want to join the bungee jumping crew. My friend and I battle it out on in thumb-of-war who’s going to take the first leap of faith and yours truly lost (smh) lol. I’ll have to say that I am glad I did go first because the video looks worse than the actual jump. The Sanctuary of Truth is truly an underrated masterpiece. The entire structure is hand-carved! The walking street is a very much rated-R experience, but you can tone it down to parental discretion. While I couldn’t find the pictures of Art In Paradise Pattaya, I must say that it is one you must visit if you enjoy 3D-dimension sort of art. Fair warning, the art is a bit trippy.
Bangkok
Being in this city feels like a hangover movie meets the real world but in the most Southeast Asian way.
This city is a shopper’s bargain-game dream; it is a must, from the gold to water-floating markets selling all kinds of wonders to the weird fruits and delights. The gold market was quite crowded, and because I got so distracted, there were no pictures (oops, sorry); however, the gold sold there is actually good quality and cheaper than you will find in other “gold-known” city markets. You can also cruise through Bangkok’s canal at night, contrary to the 2-hour tour, which is in the daylight. The walking streets in Bangkok are not as exciting as the ones in Pattaya and are much shorter. The one you see in the picture is actually from Pattaya (I know, oddly placed, but I already had enough pictures under Pattaya).
The Floating Market
There are multiple floating markets in Thailand. The one you will see in the pictures is Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Bangkok, and I can’t say I regret going one bit. The transfer out of Bangkok takes a little over an hour, and the easiest way to get there is to take a tour, which is what I also did. Oddly enough, they have multiple wild animals with which you can take pictures for a few cents.
Note to reader: taking pictures with snakes and other wild animals wasn’t my finest moment. I don’t recommend that any of you take photos with any wild animal without proper consent and the help of professionals. It is dangerous, and my actions were wild. (Seriously, be careful and consult a professional).
I got some souvenirs for my family, clothes and a few other things for myself and my future home. You might see some of them through my videos
The food
Believe it or not, the first fruit you see in the pictures above is the stinkiest fruit in the world (a mighty title if you ask me, L.O.L). It is a durian, also known as the “king of fruits.” Despite its scent, it has quite a soft texture and delicious flavor. They make chocolate and treats from this fruit. I loved that the snacks came with seafood flavors, which you don’t see in the United States. The seafood tasted so good and fresh, and you can find it everywhere!
While some travelers don’t recommend eating street food, it’s just as good as any, lol. But what stole the show was the food market in Phuket, where I found the bugs! And yes, I did eat them, and I liked the white crickets, black crickets, and grasshoppers, except for the silkworms, which have a gross texture.
While working overseas, this country became my home away from home. I’ll post a video about my time there on my YouTube channel. In the video, you can find me bungee jumping for the first time in Pattaya! The people of this country are pretty lovely and environmentally witty. I can’t wait to go back and do a proper blog now that I am a bit more proficient at blogging and take you on another adventure. Despite some of the weird “activities,” it is safe for female travelers to go alone. Just don’t be naive; stay alert and enjoy!
