Is it the end of the world already? I hope not, because I’m off on the road for a few days and I’d be devastated not to be able to come back to my life in Sydney. We are heading off to The Land of Smiles, and while it’s not my first time to Thailand, it’s been over five years since I was last there, and I’ve never been to Bangkok, so I’m looking forward to this trip!
Our itinerary is a mash-up of tours, independent travel, local activities, 5-star hotels and self-catered apartments, as we are heading to Bangkok with family, another first in many years – the last time I was on a family holiday was in the UK, four years ago.
Long tail boats on Ko Phi Phi Don (Pic courtesy of Intelligent Travel)
Stay
We’re booked into the Siam Kempinski in Bangkok and Villareal Heights in Phuket – two diametrically opposed accommodations. Both are centrally located; the Kempinski is near the Sukhumvit area with bars, restaurants, shopping malls and the Skytrain while the Villa Real is away from Patong and on beautiful, isolated Karon Beach. When we travel we like to mix things up a bit – the diversity is part of the fun!
Eat
Thai food – what’s there not to love? I’m aiming to graze my way through Bangkok’s street food scene, hunt down the freshest seafood in Phuket town, and go for a traditional Thai cooking class to learn how to make the perfect green curry and pad thai. We have also made reservations for Nahm, one of Pelligrino’s Top 50 restaurants in the world, so that will also be something to look forward to!
Floating markets (Pic from Nat Geo Adventures)
Do
City tours in Old Bangkok, a daytrip to the floating markets of Damnoen Saduak, cocktails in skybars, Bonchon chicken (my absolute favourite fried chicken in the world – sorely missed from my New York days), shopping for a wide angle lens, making elephantine friends, fireworks and party-time on the beaches of Phuket on New Year’s Eve, diving Ko Phi Phi, potentially twilight kayaking with John Gray into the dim hongs – there is plenty to do, and I’m excited for all the activities we have planned.
What have you done, seen or eaten in Bangkok or Phuket that I should try? Have you experienced any of the stuff I’ve listed here? If so, do you have recommendations or tips for a first time (ish) visitor to Thailand?
Excellent photos!
Can;t take credit for them! The reality is about the same!
David Thompson won’t disappoint you. Sure you will enjoy Nahm like I did. Have a great one!
Hey T! Trip report – Nahm wasn’t as great as I expected. The mains were all oversalted, but the canapes and petit fours were divine. Am confused by the varying quality of the food. Overall the experience was okay, but not sure if I would go again, unless only ordering canapes! Hope you had a good break.
Love the Ko Phi Phi image… Takes me right back there. May post a similar snap on my blog in the coming weeks.
Look forward to it!
I hope you have a fantastic time on your trip. Someday I’ll make it to Thaliand! I just booked my plane ticket for Honduras – 3 weeks starting late January. Looking forward to sea kayaking the Caribbean and some Mayan ruins!
Awesome! Your travel plans sound great. Look forward to your posts and photos from Honduras.
I just returned from Thailand a few days back but my trip was focused more on diving so I didn’t have much time to do much else. I’ve posted about the diving and plan to write another post on my time in Phuket. But I was right in the heart of Patong so maybe it wouldn’t be that helpful
Where did you dive at? We did Ko Bida Nok, Ko Dok Mai, King Cruiser and Shark Point. All amazing! Look forward to reading your Phuket post.
Those floating markets look amazing!!! Great photos
Jim Thompson House in bangkok is great – definitely worth a trip. Thompson was an ex-CIA agent who built a house from artefacts he saved from being ruined by treasure hunters, collected from across Thailand. He then disappeared in mysterious circumstances. Cheap to go it and there’s a good cafe and souvenir shop. Enjoy!
Thanks for the tip, Natalie. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to go to Jim Thompson’s – I only had a short two days in BKK! I must go back, the city is mad, chaotic and strangely compelling.
Peggy, Thanks for stopping by my blog. I plan on trying the bonchon chicken when we are in Thailand.
The Jim Thompson House is on our list–and the sky bars. I’m cruising your other posts next, in search of additional tips.
Have a great time, Shelley! I haven’t yet gotten around to posting on our Thailand trip. Give yourself lots of time in Bangkok to just rest and relax, the city is hectic, insane, noisy, crazy and amazing! Go to the Grand Palace early – they open at 8:30 I think, so be there before the crowds come! And eat street food – simply follow your nose and choose a stall where there are the most locals at. We also had a great time on a daytrip out of Bangkok with Tour with Tong – highly recommend them if you need a travel agent in Bangkok or surrounds. Safe journey!