Koh Phangan

Nobody looks back and remembers the night they got lots of sleep. 
 

A slightly better boat journey brought me to Koh Phangan. Here I stayed at The Beach Village in Haad Rin - as this is closer to the Half Moon Party. The accommodation was basic but the pool and being set on the beach made up for it!

http://www.beachvillagethailand.com/

On the first night a group of us decided to attend a "boat party". Possibly one of my funniest nights in Thailand. One extremely drunken tuk tuk truck ride later we arrived at the boat. "The boat" was a shack on water. However, the music was on point and alcohol fuelled, we all raved night away. This was followed by some late night wrestling in the pool and swimming lessons for one lucky backpacker.

I was only in Koh Phangan for the Half Moon Party. In half moon party style I got neon painted up and the madness began. Admittedly the night was below expectations - too trancey for me. I would like to do Full Moon Party and see how it matches up.

I personally thought that there wouldn't be much else to Koh Phangan but I was pleasantly surprised to discover a few treasures. If you take a drive around the Island you come across quite a few scenic spots. Waterfalls, lagoons and national parks.

Koh Tao

If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it's lethal. 

 

 

 

 After a horrendous boat journey from Koh Samui, I was bundled into the back of a truck before I arrived at Good Dreams Hostel. This was by far the cleanest and newest hostel I stayed in throughout Thailand. I highly recommend.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUserReviews-g303910-d1819676-r130441027-Good_Dream_Hostel-Ko_Tao_Surat_Thani_Provinc.html

 

There is a pub crawl every Monday, Wednesday and Friday -  it gets very messy. It ends up at a bar on the beach front with a wicked fire show!

A group of us  hired mopeds, I recommend a place just round the corner from Good Dreams Hostel, as some of the ped shops in Koh Tao are known for ripping you off upon return - you can also get your washing done there too! The roads in Koh Tao to get to the beaches are pretty hippy. At points it is best to just turn off your engine and roll.. and hope.

I successfully made the trips to Coral Bay and Sharks Bay. Both are extremely beautiful and pretty chilled. If you get stuck for things to do, hit up the crazy golf course one afternoon and check out the little shack known for its amazing pad Thai dish!

Chiang Mai

Travel, it leaves you speechless then turns you into a story teller. 

 

 

For my first night I stayed at the North Top Hotel as it was highly convenient after the long coach trip, although it was pretty expensive for Thailand accommodation. For the rest of my stay I moved to Kikies house, which was very cheap, clean and close to where everyone goes out, "Zoe's"! The owners were extremely helpful and assisted in planning most of our activities.

 

To Note: For the best English breakfast in Thailand Mad dogs is the place to go!

 

http://www.topnorthgroup.com/

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g293917-d3474363-Reviews-Kikie_s_House-Chiang_Mai.html

 

Baan Chang Elephant park was one of my favorite experiences since travelling. The park I went to was renowned for treating the elephants well. It is best to ride the elephants bare back opposed to in the seats you sometimes see, as this is not comfortable for them and can be very harmful. I fed the elephants, rode through the jungle and played in a small water hole with them. If I was to return, I would definitely do a two day or even a week experience, as you simply fall in love with them!

 

http://www.baanchangelephantpark.com/

Jungle Flight is a brilliant day out. The staff are hilarious and stitch you up a treat. After swinging through the jungle and dropping a 40m abseil, I had the best massaman curry followed by a very juicy fruit platter.

 

http://www.jungleflightchiangmai.com/

 

The waterfall "Mae Sa" I visited is very close to the centre of Chiang Mai and is free. The tuk tuk drivers will take you there, wait for an hour or so and take you back, for around 400 bhat. This was a nice break away from the hustle and bustle of Chiang Mai.

 

 

Kamphaeng Phet

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. 

Located in the lower north of Thailand, Kamphaeng Phet was the home to one of my friends, Levi,  for just over nine months. Levi taught children aged from two to eleven years old.

I had to catch a bus to the school which was only a few miles down the road from where I was staying. The bus was jam packed with children who were so excited to introduce their selves and practice their well rehearsed English. I sat in on the classes Levi was teaching and got thoroughly involved with the singing and dancing! Spending the day at the school with these children was an absolute joy and a memory I will treasure.

Bangkok

Happiness is a way of travel not a destination.
 

 

  

Dang Derm Hotel is located in the heart of Koh San Road. Its stylish rooms and exquisite roof top pool make it a highly recommendable stay. Koh San Road is fairly quiet during the day, but the market stalls are great for grabbing some of the Thailand goodies. Bangkok certainly comes to life at night with a variety of food stalls, bars and street entertainment.

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g293916-d1528122-Reviews-s1-Dang_Derm_Hotel-Bangkok.html

I visited Wat Pho Temple, or better known as, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It was nice to wander the temples complex and reflect on the years of history that fill its walls.