Discover Thailand: An Inspiring Travel Diary by Annie Tarasova

“This trip was filled with beautiful memories and laughter, and will be remembered for a long, long time.”

Day 1 – Angsana Laguna Resort & Spa

We arrived at Angsana Laguna Resort & Spa around 3 AM. Although sleepiness was upon us, our initial impression of the establishment was impressive – the lobby exuded spaciousness and remarkable architecture. Reaching our room on the fourth floor, we were greeted by a magnificent view of the resort grounds, leading me to drift off to sleep immediately. The following morning, we explored the resort, enjoyed a mango shake at the XANA beach club, and visited the Angsana spa, where I experienced the best hot stone massage I have ever received. We exited the spa rejuvenated and invigorated!

Day 2 – Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa

We awoke at the Angsana resort and commenced our day with an exquisite buffet breakfast, brimming with healthy selections and exotic tropical fruits (this is where we developed a fondness for mangosteen). Following that, we arranged a hotel car to the Aleenta resort, which was a 45-minute drive away.

Aleenta Resort presented a markedly different atmosphere – its modern architecture and amenities created an ideal ambiance for couples and honeymooners. Upon being shown our pool villa, we were thoroughly pleased! It appeared beautiful, immaculate, cozy, and inviting. The remainder of the day was spent exploring the resort, relaxing in our pool, and indulging in sweet mangoes. For dinner, we visited The Edge restaurant on the beach, where the head chef crafted an exceptional three-course vegan meal specifically for us.

Day 3

At approximately 7 AM, we awoke to the delightful sounds of birds. After a refreshing morning swim in our pool, we savored a delectable buffet breakfast and then spent some time at the resort’s public pool area, simply unwinding and indulging in literature. Subsequently, we opted to explore outside the resort by renting bikes. We embarked on a two-hour bike ride around the vicinity, making sure to stop along the way to appreciate the captivating beauty of Thailand. Upon returning, we revitalized in our villa and took a leisurely beach walk just outside Aleenta, where we were completely alone! Our dinner was once again at The Edge restaurant, where the head chef created an entirely different three-course vegan menu that we thoroughly enjoyed. A highlight of the meal was the chef’s unique interpretation of mango sticky rice – featuring crispy black rice encasing a cloud of coconut cream alongside a scoop of fresh mango sorbet.

Day 4 – JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa

Today, we departed Aleenta and moved to JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa. After an exquisite buffet breakfast, we arranged for a hotel car to take us to the next resort.

Upon arriving at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, we received a warm welcome from Mio, the Marketing Communication Manager, who was extremely accommodating and gracious. She provided us with a tour of the resort, and we were astonished by its vast greenery and size! The landscape resembled an enchanted forest, dotted with ponds and flowers. We were particularly impressed by the resort’s small turtle sanctuary, where injured turtles are rehabilitated and subsequently released back into the ocean once they are capable of surviving independently. In the afternoon, we enjoyed mocktails by the beach and indulged in a delicious dinner.

Day 5

After breakfast, we accompanied Chef Kong to the local markets to procure herbs for our upcoming cooking class. It was refreshing to step outside the resort and immerse ourselves in the vibrant local market atmosphere, filled with its lively sounds and distinctive aromas. During the cooking class, we learned to prepare three traditional Thai dishes – pomelo salad, pad Thai, and coconut soup – all of which were absolutely delightful. Chef Kong was entertaining, making the experience even more enjoyable. Afterwards, we visited the spa for treatments and facials, where every product applied to our skin was natural and possessed a remarkable fragrance. We had the pleasure of meeting the Spa manager, who was both charming and inspiring. Following the spa session, we enjoyed a stroll along the beach, had an early dinner at the Japanese restaurant, and soon went to bed.

Day 6 – TwinPalms Phuket

After breakfast, we proceeded to our next resort – TwinPalms Phuket! The location was stunning. Though considerably smaller than JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, it offered a peaceful and tranquil ambiance. The public pool area was breathtaking, immersing us in a tropical island feel surrounded by palm trees. We spent several hours relaxing by the pool, enjoying a swim, and then headed to the Palm Seaside Seafood Restaurant, which is part of TwinPalms resort but a 10-minute drive away, nestled right on the beach. The restaurant offered vegan options, which was a delightful surprise. The setting of the restaurant was spectacular! We enjoyed mocktails and pad Thai while watching the sunset, making it one of the most relaxing evenings we have experienced.

Day 7

Today, we decided to engage a driver for four hours to discover the attractions around Phuket. We visited Big Buddha and Chalong Temple. The view from Big Buddha was extraordinary… We spent considerable time there, not only capturing photographs but also absorbing the serene atmosphere surrounding us. The site radiated a positive energy that was difficult to leave. On our way back to TwinPalms, we stopped at local markets and purchased some durian, as I had never tasted it before, but had heard intriguing opinions about this peculiar fruit. Upon our return to the resort, we decided to cut into the fruit, only to be disappointed by its taste, which resembled sweet onions! Subsequently, we enjoyed an hour-long oil massage at the spa – I must admit, I was so relaxed that I dozed off at least three times during the treatment. Once it got dark, we found ourselves quite warm, so we took a swim in the 24-hour open pool and then retired for the night.

Day 8 – Sri Panwa Phuket

We departed from TwinPalms after breakfast and headed to Sri Panwa, a resort I had eagerly anticipated visiting. We were astounded upon arrival…it is among the finest places I have ever stayed. The personnel were exceptionally friendly, cheerful, and consistently smiling, contributing to an unparalleled experience at Sri Panwa. We resided in a penthouse within the Habita section of the resort. Our penthouse was remarkable – spacious, comfortable, beautifully designed, and offering an incredible view. It is safe to say that we fell in love with Sri Panwa at first sight! After lunch, we embarked on an exploration, discovering the most exquisite private beach located on the resort’s grounds. It was so secluded, resembling a hidden treasure that felt as though it had never been uncovered before.

Day 9

Following breakfast, we were shown around the resort. It is safe to say that everywhere we turned, we were captivated by the view. After walking around Sri Panwa, the heat prompted us to return to the beach we had discovered the previous night. We were delighted to find ourselves completely alone there, which was surprising given the beach’s beauty and the warm water. Before dinner, we proceeded to Baba Nest rooftop bar, which boasts a 360-degree view of the ocean. It was…breathtaking. We lounged on the deck in comfortable bean bags, sipping mocktails and enjoying nachos. The food was so delightful that we indulged in seconds! For dinner, we ventured to the Chinese restaurant where we discovered we were the only patrons present. We had a fantastic time with the staff, who entertained us and taught us Thai slang while we waited for our meals, making for one of the most enjoyable and memorable evenings.

Day 10 – The Vijitt Resort Phuket

We felt a twinge of sadness leaving Sri Panwa… It genuinely felt as if we were departing from a part of ourselves. However, our excitement for the next resort, The Vijitt, was palpable. Upon our arrival at the stunning, lush resort and being shown our room, we were enthusiastic about the magnificent view… particularly the view from the bath. Naturally, the first thing I did was run a bath filled with cool, refreshing water and bubbles. After the bath, we spent the rest of the day exploring the resort and unwinding by the beach.

Day 11 – Six Senses Samui

Today, we journeyed to Koh Samui for a few days! We awoke at 5:30 AM to ensure we had ample time to prepare and enjoy a quick buffet breakfast (thankfully, it opened at 6 AM!). The staff was very accommodating and arranged transportation for us from The Vijitt to the Phuket airport. We landed in Koh Samui at approximately 11 PM.

Upon arrival at the Six Senses Resort, we were unprepared for such beauty. The entire resort is eco-friendly and sustainable, boasting its own mini farm with goats, chickens, and herbs (I must admit, we were enamored with the little baby goats!). The views from our assigned villa were absolutely breathtaking. We instantly fell for Six Senses. That evening, we enjoyed a five-course vegan dinner at “Dining On The Rocks,” which was spectacular, and drifted off to sleep listening to the soothing sound of the waves.

Day 12

We awoke in a splendid mood, eager for the day’s adventures – today, we decided to engage a driver for around four hours to explore the island and discover its myriad beautiful locations. However, we lost track of time and returned to the resort six hours later instead of four. We viewed the Koh Samui Big Buddha, visited surrounding temples, explored several beaches, and admired a waterfall. Upon returning to the resort, we had dinner, enjoyed a brief swim in the pool, and then went to bed.

Day 13 – Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket

Today, we bid farewell to Koh Samui and Six Senses (and the adorable baby goats), yet we were fortunate to be permitted to check out at 2 PM, providing us with additional time to relax and soak in the island’s beauty. We savored a delightful buffet breakfast, enjoyed a swim in our pool, packed our bags, and proceeded to the airport. We arrived at our final resort of the trip, Mövenpick, at approximately 5 PM. Exhausted, we opted for an early night after a calming beach walk.

Day 14

This marked our final day in Thailand! We could hardly believe how swiftly time had passed. Throughout the day, we indulged in relaxation, swimming at the nearby beach, and sipping mango smoothies, culminating with a 6 PM Aroma oil massage at the Mövenpick spa – precisely what we required before our lengthy flight back to Australia. This trip was filled with beautiful memories and laughter, and will be remembered for a long, long time.

This travel diary was authored by @annietarasova for @theasia.collective.