Picture this – turquoise water, sensational food, balmy weather, friendly people, loads to do and everything is cheap. Sounds amazing, right? That is Thailand all over – total paradise.

A group of 6 friends, my hubby & I packed our bags to unwind at one of the best holiday destinations in the world.

Places To See and Things To Do

You will be spoilt for choice in Thailand. My two favourite places are by far, Railay Bay and Aonang. These locations are both about an hour flight south of Bangkok.

Railay Bay

Staying at the Railay Bay Resort & Spa guarantees a complete unwinding from your busy lifestyle. The only things to do at this bay are to sleep, eat, swim … repeat.

Add in there massages, delicious food and cheap beer, and you will be transported to paradise in no time.

Aonang

This area gives you access to the stunning Phi Phi Islands, which is the cover photo of this blog. The beaches on these islands are often crowded but the one place you must see in the area is where Leonardo DiCaprio filmed “Beach.” It is a truly breathtaking piece of paradise.

On the water, you can enjoy white water rafting and snorkeling with the tropical fish. Back on land, you will find an array of things to do like quad biking and visiting the monkey forest.

Typical Costs

There are a few places in the world where the word “cheap” does not mean nasty. Well, perhaps the only exception is clothes as whatever you buy in Thailand tends to fall apart after a few washes back home.

However, food, accommodation and transportation are reasonably priced. You can stay at a nice hotel as well and not break the bank.

A little bit more on the food, I will state the obvious here but the cuisine is out of this world. Having authentic Thai food in its country of origin beats any restaurant here in Australia. So don’t hold back on trying different meals.

Travel Tips

Like in any country in the world, always take care of yourself, your passport and your travels. Use the safe in your hotel or buy one of those clip-on bags and keep it around your waist under your clothing.

Make sure your vaccinations are up to date if you’re planning on travelling anywhere in Asia. Ask your GP what injections you may need.

Buy and try street food with absolute caution. You don’t want to be severely sick from contaminated food so be extra careful in what local foods you try from vendors but don’t be afraid of it as well. I recommend only drinking bottled water as your body may react negatively to the contaminants in the local tap water.

 

Travel like a local to save money and experience an authentic stay. Catch the bus like a local, eat in restaurants away from the typical touristy strips, befriend locals who may want to become your short-term tour guide for you. In exchange, they may want to practise speaking English.

“I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world,” by author Mary Anne Radmacher.

The best tip of all, have an open mind and enjoy yourself!