Chiang Mai
The Doi Soi temple has to be one of the remarkable temples I have ever seen. We did the tour all the way up the mountain and back for 180 baht each. Stopping at the traditional town at the top their's a beautiful waterfall and gardens. Secondly you stop at the Royals palace which has the most exquisite gardens. And lastly the temple. It was a full day out and a great way to start your trip in Chiang Mai.
1. Elephant foundation
Chiang Mai is also known for it's extensive amount of sanctuaries which help orphaned, old and working elephants. Some are amazing and some are bad, we were always recommended to pay no less than £50 for a visit. We visited one of the most well known sanctuary called "The Elephant Foundation" run by a lady called Lek. We were always reminded that our visit was for the benefit of the elephants and less for us. We had a full day of feeding, bathing and admiring the elephants. They were let to run free within the grounds with no chains and no work. The stories which were told were amazing, elephants had adopted one another as family and helped one another. It was amazing to see it happen. Would highly recommend it!
Phi Phi
1. Boat trip
Viewpoint in Phi Phi, a hot and sweaty walk it was.
Having only two nights on Phi Phi, the island itself was dirty and not too pretty. We arranged a boat trip to see the places which weren't built up. We booked a half day trip (1pm - 6pm) for 300baht including lunch. I can happily say it was amazing!
Maya beach where "The beach" was filmed.
Advise to stay at "The tropical garden bungalow".
Koh Lanta
1. Boat trip
After a successful boat trip on Phi Phi we decided to book another on Koh Lanta. There's quite a few different ones you can choose from but we decided to do the four islands tour, this is a lot more expensive than Phi Phi. Your look at more between 700-900 baht. However it's still dead cheap. Lunch and taxis are included as usual. With lots of snorkelling it was incredible.
Koh Hai - As clear as it gets!
The last stop of the tour are the Emerald caves. It was the most amazing experience ever. You have to swim through a practically pitch black tunnel in a cliff face and it opens up to this secret beach in the middle. Hundreds of years ago it use to be a smugglers cove. Pretty cool.
Koh Toa
1. Pub crawl
If you like the kind of awful shit then do it, but I wouldn't recommend anyone to do it. There were a lot of pricks out that's all I can say.
If you like the kind of awful shit then do it, but I wouldn't recommend anyone to do it. There were a lot of pricks out that's all I can say.
2. Sai Nuan
A quieter beach and smaller, it's a bit of a walk but well worth it. More chilled, intimate and untouched and you can even go snorkelling. If you're look for something a little more luxury with deck chairs then close by is Jansom Bay which is equally as beautiful but comes with a fee of 200 baht.
3. Na na's kitchen & Central backpackers
I don't have a picture but located practically next to our hostel which I too would recommend staying at. Na na's kitchen was super cheap and tasty, at about 70baht for a curry it was bang for your buck. We stayed at central backpackers run by some english guys with the theme of the London Underground running throughout the hostel. It had air con and was very cheap, highly recommended!
I don't have a picture but located practically next to our hostel which I too would recommend staying at. Na na's kitchen was super cheap and tasty, at about 70baht for a curry it was bang for your buck. We stayed at central backpackers run by some english guys with the theme of the London Underground running throughout the hostel. It had air con and was very cheap, highly recommended!
4. Boat trip
We still hadn't got enough of the boat trips, this is just a great way to see the beautiful untouched areas of the island which is what you want to go there for. I probably did some of the most incredible snorkelling off Koh Tao, with stunning reefs and lots of colourful fish at this point I wished I had a go pro. Another highlight was the last stop Nang Yuan island. It is incredible, just take a look at the pictures below.
We still hadn't got enough of the boat trips, this is just a great way to see the beautiful untouched areas of the island which is what you want to go there for. I probably did some of the most incredible snorkelling off Koh Tao, with stunning reefs and lots of colourful fish at this point I wished I had a go pro. Another highlight was the last stop Nang Yuan island. It is incredible, just take a look at the pictures below.
Bangkok
So having been here many times I tend to do my shopping here and zero tourist shit. This was also because we were at the end of our trip and didn't want to do anymore sightseeing. Bad I know, but we ate on street markets and chilled with the locals anyways.
Shopping Guide
Siam square - Very upmarket kinda area, there are about 5 massive shopping malls selling everything from Chanel to Boots No 7. You aren't going to find any bargains here. However come here at night and there is a rather large night market selling all kinds of clothing for cheap cheap.
Platinum fashion mall - If you're looking for some serious shopping then this is the place. Not at cheap as the markets but still a hell of a lot cheap than England there are lots of fashionable attire. With about 8 floors of fashion you can buy everything. This is more of a wholesalers so the more you buy the cheaper it is.
Pratunam market - Just round the corner from the Platinum fashion mall is Pratunam market, this is where all the Thai people shop so it's extremely cheap. However it is also super busy and is the ultimate hustle and bustle.
TOP TIPS
1. Do not have a tattoo of Buddha, this is ridiculously disrespectful. All you backpacking idiots who have them are stupid.
2. Be respectful, cover up appropriately in temples and never raise your head above Buddha or point your feet towards him.
3. Haggle for taxis, about 100% of the time you can half their price.
4. Shop a fuck load. You'll regret that you didn't buy that dress for £4.
5. Eat the banana fritters they are fucking incredible.
So having been here many times I tend to do my shopping here and zero tourist shit. This was also because we were at the end of our trip and didn't want to do anymore sightseeing. Bad I know, but we ate on street markets and chilled with the locals anyways.
Shopping Guide
Siam square - Very upmarket kinda area, there are about 5 massive shopping malls selling everything from Chanel to Boots No 7. You aren't going to find any bargains here. However come here at night and there is a rather large night market selling all kinds of clothing for cheap cheap.
Platinum fashion mall - If you're looking for some serious shopping then this is the place. Not at cheap as the markets but still a hell of a lot cheap than England there are lots of fashionable attire. With about 8 floors of fashion you can buy everything. This is more of a wholesalers so the more you buy the cheaper it is.
Pratunam market - Just round the corner from the Platinum fashion mall is Pratunam market, this is where all the Thai people shop so it's extremely cheap. However it is also super busy and is the ultimate hustle and bustle.
TOP TIPS
1. Do not have a tattoo of Buddha, this is ridiculously disrespectful. All you backpacking idiots who have them are stupid.
2. Be respectful, cover up appropriately in temples and never raise your head above Buddha or point your feet towards him.
3. Haggle for taxis, about 100% of the time you can half their price.
4. Shop a fuck load. You'll regret that you didn't buy that dress for £4.
5. Eat the banana fritters they are fucking incredible.
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