I've been to Thailand twice, and both were completely different trips! I'll break down some of the best places to visit and what to do in this amazing Country! First stop, Phuket......
The first time my partner and I travelled to Thailand, we were complete nubes, on where to go, what to see and where to stay! This worked to our advantage though, as we hired a day driver and went off places that he recommended to go! Hiring a day driver, isn't something that is completely necessary, but it was nice to be able to do multiple trips in the day and not have to worry about organising transport in between!
We stayed in Phuket the first time at Karon Beach! The resort we stayed at, Woraburi Phuket resort and spa, was beautiful! It had a pool that extended the whole length of the resort, all the staff were friendly and professional and we had a free breakfast buffet every morning. The pool bar was definitely something that we enjoyed, as it allows you to relax, have a few cocktails in a safe and chilled environment. Be careful when consuming ice in drinks however, as it is generally not made with filtered water and will give you an upset stomach. This applies to brushing your teeth with bottled water as well, being a little bit extra cautious will lessen your chances of getting sick. Knowing where to eat was something that you have to be very careful with. Ask for no ice, and go to the places that are a little bit more professional looking, as you'll be less likely to get sick. In saying that, some of the best Pad Thai I've ever had, was off a food cart on the side of the road, it was amazing, and we were able to see him cooking it fresh in front of us. Do some research about where to eat, and if you do get sick, go straight to a certified pharmacists. They will give you medication that will make you feel better pretty quickly, don't put it off though.
The markets in Thailand are pretty crazy, they are filled to the brim with people and will sell you all sorts of things. The main markets that we went to were on Bangla road, the markets are fun to go through and see, however are quite chaotic! It's fun to barter and get a good price for items, and definitely is something to experience. Bangla road is a great place for night life, be prepared for night clubs and a whole lot of chaos. If you want to buy some things from the market without the full blown chaos of Bangla road, Karob beach have a smaller market place, which is great to see what products the markets offer.
Now to the best part of our trip! If I had to pin point one thing that was a main highlight, it would be the zip lining course we did at Hanuman World Zip line Adventure in Phuket. The people were so professional, fun and made the whole experience such an awesome part of our holiday! Definitely opt in for the full package which works out to be around $100, but includes, transport, lunch, a three hour guided tour and an unforgettable experience. Try look out for any online deals and offers as we managed to score a half price deal!
IF you like adrenaline pumping activities, definitely try ATV rides! If you're not confident with driving one, don't be discouraged, they will offer automatic ATV's. It is so much fun, and don't be afraid to go full speed and try do some skids! If you're not confident you can opt for the choice to go with your partner or friend on the back of theirs or go with the instructor.
If you do decide to get a tattoo in Thailand be sure to do some research first! The regulations in Thailand are non existent, and if you're determined to get it done, make sure to get a stencil tracing first, to see the artists abilities and whether you are sure you want to go through with it. I got my first tattoo in Thailand, and 3 years later, I still love it. So be careful, but don't let the opportunity pass if you really want it.
If you don't like the action packed adventure, why not go sight seeing to the numerous temples? The Thai temples are beautiful, and are all unique in their own way. Plan out the places you want to see first, and get talking to people on any recommendations. Be sure to remember that these places are sacred to the Thai people, so if you don't have sleeved shirts or longer pants, you'll have to wear a scarf or robe to cover up in (usually they will provide at the door).
A big regret I have about our trip is deciding to go to an animal sanctuary to see elephants and tigers. Please be very careful when visiting places that claim they are a sanctuary, as we were very disappointed to see baby cubs drugged, and elephants chained up in small groups at a claimed 'sanctuary'. It’s better to not feed into the industry by funding it, it’s not worth seeing the animals in their conditions. No matter how informative the site is, if it’s a larger corporation, will most likely still have drugged tigers and restricted living conditions for all their animals.
Phuket was definitely an amazing experience, the only suggestion I would have, is if you have time or resources, branch out and go to smaller islands or up to the rainforests to experience a different side to Thailand. In my next blog, I'll talk about our next experience in Thailand and why it is still one of my favourite trips to date!