Summary of Experiences
Upon my friends’ proposal to embark on a journey to Thailand, I was immediately eager to join; it is a remarkable country renowned for its breathtaking scenery and is a travel destination that attracts millions annually, and rightly so.
You may have observed a scarcity of blog updates in the past few days—this can be attributed to my travels in Thailand.
Despite facing connectivity difficulties, I was aware of the numerous activities arranged for our time in Thailand, and it was impractical to carry my laptop around (an especially sound decision given that my bag was soaked during one downpour).
As anticipated, there will be a series of Thailand-focused blog publications in the near future (it was impossible to encapsulate everything in a single post!). Initially, here are nine notable experiences I encountered for the very first time in Thailand!
N.B.: There are many more than the nine highlighted here, however, I will keep this post limited to those. 🙂
1.) Kayaking into Caves and Coves:
This marked one of my initial ‘wow’ moments in Thailand. We participated in an island tour (visiting locations such as James Bond Island and Hong Island), and the caves were an astonishing sight!
2.) Going on a Speedboat:
I almost backed out of this activity; in fact, I did hesitate and only concurred in the final moment. Taking the speedboat provided an opportunity to experience much more during our tour of the islands near Koh Phi Phi; this included a number of other firsts which I will share in future entries.
3.) Riding a Tuk Tuk:
On the initial evening, we ventured out to discover Phuket (including Bangla Road)—where we encountered truly unique sights. On our return, we elected to take a Tuk Tuk, and amidst the beverages consumed, the thrill of Bangla Road, and the bouncing of the Tuk Tuk seats, this resulted in an enjoyable ride back to our accommodation!
4.) Snorkelling:
This activity occurred as a component of the speedboat excursion; I was unaware this would be included until we arrived at the docking point and were instructed to plunge in. It was an extraordinary experience! We encountered brilliantly vibrant fish, and it was only upon reflecting after the adventure that I realized it was my inaugural snorkelling experience.
5.) Buying a Painting:
After a tiring day, we decided to enjoy a peaceful dinner while exploring the markets, where I stumbled upon a painting that fascinated me instantly. I knew I had to possess it at that moment—fortunately, it was within my budget! Additionally, I had the delightful opportunity to meet the artist.
6.) Full Moon Party on the Beach:
This was another unanticipated experience. We could see the lights from our accommodation and decided to venture into town to discover what was happening. The night unfolded into a cocktail-filled celebration mingling with strangers and marveling as the tide receded, prompting many to rush towards the shoreline for the experience! Surprisingly (in a pleasantly unexpected manner), the evening wasn’t as rowdy as many describe; rather, it was filled with individuals simply looking to enjoy their holiday!
7.) Getting a Room Upgrade:
I’m not quite sure how this occurred, but I accepted it without question when the receptionist informed us that our room at The Westin had been upgraded to one with a private pool (which cost four times more than our originally booked room). This was communicated midway through enjoying some non-alcoholic cocktails and before we transitioned to full-blown cocktails, substantially brightening our day!
8.) Getting a Fish Pedicure:
These fish pedicure establishments are ubiquitous, yet I had never envisioned participating until one evening while slowly returning to our hotel, a friend proposed the idea. Initially, I declined and suggested I would observe, but I quickly succumbed and joined in. They were indeed quite ticklish, but sure enough, as promised, one acclimatizes to the sensation! The following day, I had already scheduled a massage and pedicure at our hotel—the latter marking my first experience—and I believe I may now be inclined towards more pedicures in the future.
9.) First Time in Thailand:
This represents the most comprehensive and evident of all firsts. It was my initial encounter with the local culture, sampling indigenous dishes (and contrasting them with versions available in the UK and elsewhere), experiencing the sights and sounds, and fully reveling in all that Thailand offers!
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
First time on THE BEACH—you know, the one from the Danny Boyle film with Leonardo DiCaprio. It is indeed stunning in person! A more extensive post about this will be forthcoming soon. 😉
