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- Thailand is a Southeast Asian country

- It's known for tropical beaches, opulent royal palaces, ancient ruins, and ornate temples displaying figures of Buddha

- Bangkok is the capital of Thailand

- Thailand’s population is about 69.43 million

- Thai is the language spoken in Thailand and many people speak English especially in the touristy areas

- The currency in Thailand is the Thai baht

- Traditional Thai dishes are Tom Yum Goong (Spicy Shrimp Soup), Som Tum (Spicy Green Papaya Salad), Tom Kha Kai (Chicken in Coconut Soup), Gaeng Daeng (Red Curry), Khao Pad (Fried Rice), and Pad Krapow Moo Saap. Pad Thai (Thai style Fried Noodles) is their national dish

- Thailand’s main source of income is agriculture

- Thailand is known for temples, monks, Buddhism, street food, islands, Tuk Tuks, elephant pants, and shopping

Fun Fact: Thailand is the only country in South-East Asia that has never been colonized under European power.

Meals

Asiatique The Riverfront Bangkok

I enjoyed dinner while watching a traditional Thai dance performance at Asiatique The Riverfront Bangkok. The performance was so beautiful—really capturing the culture of Thailand through song and dance. Not to mention the food was delicious.

Annette I Tim tuk tuk

This dessert truck provides ice cream on the go. You must try it when you see it. Annette I Tim tuk tuk has a variety of flavors and such Instagramable presentation. This is the Fruit Salad Party and it tasted as good as it looks!

Floating Market

Mango sticky rice is and absolute MUST when you’re in Thailand. I mean who knew a rice, mango, coconut combo would be so delicious.

Anusarn Market

I just want to be clear that American Chicken Pad Thai and Thailand Chicken Pad Thai differ slightly in taste because of the additions of different seasoning and inclusion of cilantro.

Ochaya

Another Thai staple is Bubble tea and Ochaya will not disappoint. Here is the yummy mango flavor with boba.

Maekok River Village Resort

Maekok River Village Resort had me absolutely spoiled with this packed meal of, Thai curry chicken, pineapple chicken, and fresh vegetables. Let’s just say my tummy was very happy upon completion of my meal lol. Let me not forget to mention the view is to die for!

No. 6 Restaurant

Garlic anything will do the job for me and No. 6 Restaurant’s garlic chicken delivered!

Street Meat

Street meat is just one of those things you might be a little cautious about, but you have to try. This street meat is pork, and despite its appearance, it was actually very tasty.

Thailand Cafe Ron Restaurant

This was hands down my favorite meal in Thailand! I had a hard time locating exactly where this restaurant is which leads me to believe it no longer exist. However, I absolutely had to share this cashew chicken delight.

Bangkok

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ibis Bangkok Riverside

ibis Bangkok Riverside was nice, clean, modern, and the staff was friendly. It’s located in a good area making it optimal to get around.

I'm a huge fan of architecture and Bangkok's architecture blew me away! Speaking truthfully, it might have been my favorite city out of the 3. The temples were stunning! Thailand is truly a land of temples. Visiting them requires modest clothing, meaning no shorts or sleeveless shirts and you have to take your shoes off to go inside the temples.

Memories

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located not too far from Bangkok. It is generally known as Klong Ton Khem Floating Market or Damnern Saduak Floating Market. Damnern Saduak has officially three floating markets. It is a narrow canal flanked with food stalls and souvenir shops forming the principal market at Ton Kem. The market is bustling with activity early in the morning until about 11:00 am. It’s a worthy unique experience to shop, and you know my motto when shopping, bargain!

Royal Grand Palace

A visit to the Royal Grand Palace, the nation’s landmark and most praised royal monument in Thailand, is a must! It consists of over 100 brightly colored buildings, golden spires and glittering mosaics, and dates back to 1782, when Bangkok was founded.

Here you can find Wat Pho Thai Traditional Massage School which is said to be the best place to get a massage in Bangkok as the school is highly revered. Of course, I checked it out. The foot massage was great and much needed!

Marble Temple- Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram

Wat Benchamabophit Dusitvanaram is a Buddhist temple in the Dusit District of Bangkok, Thailand. Also known as the marble temple, it is one of Bangkok's best-known temples and a major tourist attraction. It’s probably one of my favorite temples in Bangkok.

Emerald Buddah- Wat Phra Kaew

Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is located right next to the Grand Palace. Together they form, perhaps, the greatest spectacle for the visitor in Bangkok.

Reclining Buddah- Wat Phra Chetuphon

Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha), or Wat Phra Chetuphon, is right behind the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Here you can find the 49 ft. tall and 150 ft. long golden Buddah, and my is it a sight to see. You must take off your shoes to enter.

Golden buddah- Wat Traimit Withayaram Worawihan

Wat Traimit is known for housing a 5.5-ton statue of a seated Buddha. The gold sculpture dates back to the 13th century, measures at nearly 16 ft. tall, and is located in Chinatown Bangkok.

Calypso Bangkok Theatre- Lady Boy Show

Calypso Bangkok Theatre Lady boy show at Asiatique The Riverfront Bangkok was just as fun and entertaining as you would imagine. The lady boys dressed up in their finest performing hits from the greats such as Beyonce and Lady GaGa.

Chaing Mai

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Chaing Mai Plaza Hotel

Chaing Mai Plaza Hotel is nice and clean with beautiful decor. It is rather dimly lit throughout the hotel at night which I guess is mood setting but I would have preferred more light. That would be my only gripe but other than that, I recommend it.

Memories

Wat Tha Ton Phra Aram Mae

Wat Tha Ton Phra Aram Mae is a beautiful temple that reminds me of something straight out of the Disney movie Aladdin. It sits on the top of the hill providing panoramic views of local villages, the Mae Kok River, and the many abundant forests on the mountain range.

Long Neck Karen Village

The Long Neck Karen tribe is one that many want to see when visiting Chang Mai. Women of this tribe wear brass rings on their necks and limbs. The number of the rings increases according to their ages. Their shoulder blades are pressed lower and lower while their necks seem to be longer and longer. You can try on a necklace but let me tell you now, it is a lot heavier than it looks. These women wear it well!

Maetang Elephant Camp

Maetang Elephant Camp was certainly an experience. The day starts with an elephant ride that passes through the forest and river, an elephant show, and concludes with rafting down the Mae Taeng River.

I know there are a lot of concerns about the treatment of the elephants at these types of institutions, with great reason; and though I can’t say that I saw abuse, I could see how one might be concerned. I learned later that it is better to go to an elephant sanctuary rather than a camp.

The Night Market

The night market is part of the night life in Thailand and can be found in several of the major cities. I went to the one in Chaing Mai and absolutely adored it! There is so much to see, many souvenirs to buy, and the experience gives you a deeper look into the Thai culture. The night market is another must when visiting Thailand.

Bai Orchid-Butterfly Farm

By now, I’m sure you are well aware that where there are flowers is where you will find me. Especially if the orchid nursery doubles as a butterfly farm. That’s a two for one special if you ask me!

Phucket

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Deevana Patong Resort & Spa

Deevana Patong Resort & Spa doubles as your traditional resort but also has bungalows. My original room was a bungalow. When I think of the bungalow experience it seems very scerene with boho vibes, or at least that is the romanticized version I have created. Unfortunately, it did not live up to the fantasy. I also don’t think that arriving at night once it was already dark helped the situation. There was barely any lighting, lots of bugs and mosquitoes, and I was not comfortable especially as a solo female traveler. Fortunately, Deevana Patong Resort & Spa was very accommodating and let me book a room in the hotel for an additional fee. The room was much more my speed—clean, spacious, with modern decor.

Memories

Phi Phi Island Tour

This tour is where you will visit some of Thailand's most beautiful beaches and admire the bright blue waters and dramatic limestone cliffs of Phi Leh Lagoon. The tour starts off with a boat ride where you get to take part in a Thai tradition. Loi Krathong is a Siamese festival celebrated annually throughout the Kingdom of Thailand and in nearby countries with significant southwestern Tai cultures. People gather around lakes, rivers, and canals to pay respects to the goddess of water by releasing beautiful lotus-shaped rafts, decorated with candles, incense and flowers onto the water. I was a week or 2 early for the festival but myself and other travelers were able to experience the ceremony in our own way while on this tour. We created a Krathong on the boat ride on our way to the cave, we entered the cave, and much like the annual festival, lit our Krathong and let them drift off in the water. It was a magnificent experience and I could only imagine the actual festival being a sight to see when thousands are gathered.

The tour proceeds with a canoe ride through limestone caves to where we eventually arrived at Ko Tapu Rock best known as "James Bond Island." The tour concludes with lunch then a dip in the beautiful water.

The Great Buddha of Phuket

Phuket Big Buddha, or The Great Buddha of Phuket, is a seated Maravija Buddha statue in Phuket, Thailand. The official name is Phra Phutta Ming Mongkol Akenakiri. Phuket's Big Buddha is one of the most important and revered landmarks on the island. The huge image sits on top of the Nakkerd Hills between Chalong and Kata.