This was our first major trip and our first time visiting Asia. In January and February 2013, we spent three weeks exploring Thailand, with plans to visit four key destinations: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the islands of Ko Tao and Ko Phi Phi.

Bangkok

Our first stop was Bangkok, where we spent a couple of days in Rambuttri Alley, right next to the famous Khaosan Road. This area, popular with backpackers, was bustling with tourists and served as a perfect base for exploring the city. We took an evening walk through the lively, colorful, and noisy streets, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. Despite the constant buzz of tuk-tuks, we found the energy of the place infectious.

The next morning, we had our first taste of pad Thai before setting out to explore the city on foot. We passed by the Grand Palace and several temples, eventually finding ourselves in Chinatown. From there, we headed north towards Wat Saket (the Golden Mount), but arrived too late to catch the view, so we decided to return the next day. On our way back along Ratchadamnoen Klang Road, we passed the Democracy Monument, where the evening light was simply breathtaking.

The next morning, we attempted to visit the Grand Palace, but the crowds were overwhelming, so we decided to move on to Wat Pho, a nearby Buddhist temple complex renowned for its 46-meter-long reclining Buddha.

Our return to the Golden Mount rewarded us with a beautiful panoramic view of Bangkok.

We traveled across Thailand by train, opting for overnight rides due to the vast distances. Our next destination was Ko Tao, so we first took a train to Chumphon. After arriving, we had a long wait for the bus that would take us to the boat for Ko Tao—punctuality is not a strong suit here. However, the wait was worth it when we reached the coast at Chumphon, where a long, tropical beach gave us our first taste of paradise.

Ko Tao

The boat ride to Ko Tao took about two hours. Once we arrived at the main pier, we took a short taxi ride to our accommodation at Ko Tao Toscana Resort. Our room, featuring a king-size bed, was absolutely amazing—we were fortunate to snag a promo deal on Booking. After settling in, we walked just five minutes to the nearest beach at Chalok Baan Kao Bay. We also rented a scooter to explore other nearby spots, including Freedom Beach and Sai Daeng Beach.

The next day, we took a snorkeling boat trip around the island, which turned out to be an incredible experience—our first time snorkeling in such vibrant waters. We were thrilled to spot two sharks and even had the chance to follow them for a bit. One of the trip's highlights was visiting Ko Nang Yuan, a small island near Ko Tao. It's essentially three tiny islands connected by a stunning beach, perfect for snorkeling. We explored the area and hiked to a breathtaking viewpoint that offered an unforgettable view.

We spent our time exploring the village and nearby beaches, climbed to a viewpoint, and waited for one of the most beautiful sunsets we’d ever seen. The next day, we booked an early morning boat ride around Ko Phi Phi Leh, departing at sunrise. We circled the towering cliffs and arrived at the famous Maya Bay. Since the bay faces west, the sun hadn’t yet reached it, but the tranquility of having the place to ourselves was worth it—especially knowing it would be crowded with tourists just an hour later. We continued our journey around the island, passing by Loh Samah Bay and Pileh Lagoon.

Upon returning to Ko Phi Phi Don, we walked to the southeastern part of the island and settled on Long Beach. There’s also a lovely beach on the other side, Rantee Bay, which we reached by trekking through the interior forest, where we encountered a curious and slightly suspicious pack of monkeys.

As our time on the islands came to an end, we made our way back to Krabi, then to Surat Thani, where we boarded a train to Bangkok. This time, we traveled in first class and had our own cabin, allowing us to sleep comfortably the entire journey. With plenty of time before our next train, we decided to visit the Bangkok Zoo. Later that evening, we caught our train to Chiang Mai, which arrived around noon the next day—just a few hours late. No big deal. Just a few hours.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, often referred to as the "northern capital" of Thailand, has a cozy old town filled with friendly locals and an abundance of temples. We stayed at Julie Guesthouse, where we also arranged a trekking tour in Doi Inthanon National Park. The trek took us through lush forests and rice fields, past numerous waterfalls, and into local villages where we spent the night. The food, prepared by our guides, was incredible and added to the overall unforgettable experience.

We spent our final days in Chiang Mai exploring the town’s temples and even had the chance to help a couple of monks with tree cutting. Our last train journey took us back to Bangkok, from where we flew home. I would love to visit Thailand again—it’s always a great idea. With so much to see, easy travel, friendly people, and fantastic food, it’s a destination that never disappoints.