After 15 hours of travel and several Burger Kings later I made it to Thailand! Tired, hot and sticky and ready to see what all the fuss was about…

Bangkok:

  • After an early 7am arrival at BKK airport and a bus to the city centre (60 baht), I had to jump in a ‘Tuk Tuk’, which I took to my Hostel.
  • The best place for young travellers to stay is near the famous Khao San road. Thailand’s accommodation is fabulous,  the Hostel’s are like luxury hotels but without the price tag.
  • I stayed at the ‘Everyday Bangkok Hostel @Khaosan’ and paid 200 baht (around £5). Great location, air-con (which is a must), clean and helpful.

Floating Markets: Amphawa Floating Market

  • You can do it alone if you have time, or there’s loads of day tours on offer: I did a 1pm-9pm tour including; Train market, floating market, boat ride, firefly tour and return to hostel.
  • Think, seafood, seafood and seafood. Cooking up the freshest scallops, prawns etc on floating boats as you check out the stalls of handmade crafts.
  • One of the more local floating markets, with more Thai people than tourists- giving a more authentic shopping experience!
  • Don’t forget insect repellent for the night!

Khoa San Road:

  • Think ‘Magaluf Strip’ but packed with elephant print wearing backpackers.
  • Here you’ll find some of the best street food in Thailand, as well as cheap drinks and music.
  • Called from left to right, bar workers promoting cheap bucket drinks, shots, laughing gas and dance competitions.
    You can’t leave Thailand without giving some insects a try…whilst I chickened out and only tried a Scorpion leg and one tiny cricket, you will see hardcore backpackers trying every single insect on offer…including spiders, cockroaches, meal worms etc.

Koh Samui:

So it took us several cars, buses, a ferry and a plane to get here from Bangkok, but finally we made it!

  • I stayed at the ‘Ubox Hostel Samui’, about (200-500 baht). It was super comfy and wide beds with curtains, plus it had a pool, a bar and most importantly FREE LAUNDRY; which I know other travellers reading this will appreciate!
  • Food is pretty pricey, typical of an island but
    again you will find some of the freshest seafood on offer!
  • Head down to Chaweng beach in the day to top up on your tan. Or by night it’s all about the party. Fire dancing, great music, and lots of drinks.
  • Grab a table or lounges at the ‘Ark bar’ and dance on the beach into the early hours.
  • Party people, don’t miss Koh Phang’s famous ‘Full Moon’ Party (loads of info from hostels on Ko Samui).
  • Be prepared for a constant flow of Ghekkos being placed on you for a photo, for which they will charge- you can pay for one to support the locals but don’t be afraid to say No.

  • Check 0ut one of their drag/ladyboy shows- lip sing to your favorite tunes, including Queen B, Britney and     Queen.
  • Fellow Divers, check out Koh Tao for some sweet diving and snorkeling spots.
  • There’s also loads of temples and a beautiful fishing village you can visit, (I was too hungover to squeeze it into my short trip!)

 

Phi Phi islands:

It took myself, and a Northerner I met on the way, two ferries, lots of buses and several cars to get to the beautiful Phi Phi islands!

  • The main island is packed with bars, restaurants and loads of tour companies so you will never be bored when you come to Phi Phi.
  • I only had two days here, so I did a half day tour which took me to around 5 different islands including; Monkey Beach and the famous Maya Bay. Here I went snorkeling and saw squid along with every colour fish that you could think possible, was absolutely beautiful! (I am desperate to return to do a dive around these islands).

 

 Phuket:

From Phi Phi main island, I caught the next ferry heading to Phuket and paid for their transfer fee (they will take you to any accommodation as far as Phuket center for only 200 baht which is a bargain. Then to get to Patong beach I jumped on a motorbike taxi which took me straight to my Hostel.

  • I stayed at the BearPacker Hostel Patong. It was super close to the beach, right in the heart of the strip and the famous party ‘Bangla Road’ right round the corner.
  • Ok, so if you think Koa San is crazy, it is absolutely no match for the wildest street of Bangla Road. Bars, strip clubs, cheap booze, half naked women and loud music covers every inch of this street.
  • You’ve heard of the famous ‘Ping Pong’ shows, here you will find every show on offer…it’s quite the experience…
  • There’s some pretty good drink offers, 400 baht unlimited drink all night (which considering the price of most drinks is a big money savers for those big drinkers). We did this at the HUGE ‘Tiger Bar’, really is worth a visit!
  • Be careful with Thai women trying to start fights, they are hanging around drunk tourists to try and get money from you, and you could end up in a Thai police station…I saw this first hand…

There is so much more to be done in Thailand, I really did not have enough time to do it justice. I still aim to visit:

  • An elephant sanctuary
  • The Grand Palace
  • Buddhist Temples
  • Visit the Hill Tribes
  • More Island Hopping and dives
  • Chiang Mai
  • PLUS loads more, so I will have to come back one day…

If you’re heading out there I hope you grabbed some tips,

If you know Thailand well and have any recommendations message me.

Thailand vid

 

 

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