Well, after some much-needed travel I am back, back in the New York groove...
and it is nearly as hot here as it was in Bangkok! More on some new book recommendations to follow, but for now some quick travel tips should you ever find yourself in Thailand.
First, I must say that of all of the SE Asian countries in which I have travelled, Thailand is the easiest. So, for those looking for a stress-free vacation, this just may be your country of choice! With the stress-free transit comes the throngs of tourists, however, so be prepared to share your space with others in the more popular areas.
Chiang Mai was one of my personal favorites. The city itself is beautiful, the food of northern Thailand is delicious, and Elephant Nature Park is a crowning jewel. I have always wanted to get up close and personal with the elephants and this particular place proved to be the perfect venue for fulfilling that dream! We also took a cooking class through the Thai Farm Cooking School. Not only do they support organic farming, but our instructor was awesome--and catered to those who can't even tell you what "dicing" means.
Moving on south...a favorite island was Railay. Known for its world class rock climbing, I appreciated the picturesque views, warm, gentle ocean waves and relaxed vibe. In addition, you have to take a longboat to get there which adds to the island's charm and appeal. I would highly recommend kayaking in the south and one of my favorite boat trips involved a stop at the beach made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio's eponymous film...The Beach. Bring your strongest scissor kick and a sense of invisibility however as this beach can only be reached by a death defying swim in strong currents to a rope that repeatedly slams you against the large rocks that it scales. Once you have climbed over the rocks and through the woods you reach a view worth the toil. That said, my friends and I have decided that Thailand definitely has different safety regulations than the United States so if you are not a strong swimmer...don't risk it!
Lastly, I can see why Bangkok has been named one of the world's best urban destinations. In terms of affordability, the (even weakened) dollar goes a long way and the city is vibrant, offering delicious dining opportunities, and great sight-seeing. I personally loved jumping on the water taxis along the river and making stops at the famous temples, the immense and "scent"sational flower market , followed by the posh Mandarin Oriental Hotel. All in all, if you are looking for a trip that is easy, affordable, and fun I would definitely recommend Thailand. We were there for 2 1/2 weeks and felt that was sufficient time to explore three distinct regions of the country.
I saw your pics from your trip and thought you looked great stirring the pot of ingredients at the cooking class....see, you can cook!
ReplyDelete