Thailand — My Travel Stories

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand December, 2019 The Grand Palace The traffic in Bangkok! Seems to take the same amount of time to walk as to drive. Watching the Grab (Uber equivalent) driver’s approach on the app shows them painfully stuck. From the Grand Palace to a modern mall to street food, this is a city of contrasts. But if the traffic and humidity are enough to do you in, then the Thai people are the balance to bring you back. Happy, kind, warm and genuine.

Phuket, Thailand

Phuket, Thailand January, 2020 Phang Nga Bay What a way to end 2019! Kayaking in Phang Nga Bay was spectacular! Turquoise waters, tiny mud skippers, cheeky monkeys, tropical birdsong and creating a special offering to the ocean. An hour long journey by boat took us to Phang Nga Bay. We spent the day on and off the boat with our wonderful guides (Soon, M and Mein) from John Gray’s Sea Canoe tour. Don’t miss this day if you come to Phuket. One of the many long tail boats on the Bay.

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai, Thailand January, 2020 Temples & Tuktuks We are now in Northern Thailand and it feels a bit more like home…except for the heat, the temples, the tuktuks and more motorcycles and mopeds on the roads than cars. Ok. Let’s just say it’s a lot greener up here. Chiang Mai is 730 years old and the city boasts 300 temples (36 of which are in the very small old town). There are still remnants of the old city walls, aided in its day by a moat in keeping out the ancient intruders.

Mae Rim, Thailand

Mae Rim, Thailand January, 2020 Elephant Sanctuary Today was up close and personal with the most majestic of creatures followed by the impossible feat of climbing a waterfall freehand…very much a Spiderman moment! All dimples and smiles! These enormous yet gentle animals are truly incredible.

Samoeng Tai, Thailand

Samoeng Tai, Thailand January, 2020 Karen Hill Tribe An early start to the day to visit a Karen Hill Tribe community two hours deep into the mountains. En route through a Hmong village. Here they are growing garlic. In an effort to stop the booming opium business in Thailand, the previous King (Rama 9) went to visit the hill tribes who were growing poppies and helped them shift to less nefarious crops.