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Phuket Finale: Street Food, Elephants, and Lasting Memories

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Phuket was our final destination, and it definitely lived up to the hype. We arrived in the evening and after settling in, decided to dive straight into the local night markets. The variety of food on offer was incredible—we couldn’t resist sampling everything from sushi to fresh fruit shakes. Both Ofe and I ended up spending a fair bit, so we grabbed a full spread to take back to the hotel for a cozy Netflix binge. It was the perfect way to kick off our time in Phuket. The next morning, we had the experience of a lifetime—the Hidden Forest Elephant Reserve. This was something we’d both been eagerly anticipating. Our visit began with an informative session that highlighted the importance of sanctuaries and the issues elephants face in industries like logging and entertainment. The reserve houses six elephants: Nong Fai, Nam Paerng, Gaw Boon, Ton Oi, Wassana, and Sudjai. We got the chance to feed them bananas and sugarcane while learning more about their personalities and backgrounds. I...

Island Magic in Koh Phi Phi

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We arrived at my favorite destination so far, and it did not disappoint. The water was absolutely stunning, clear and turquoise as far as the eye could see. We had some free time upon arrival, so Ofe and I decided to take a walk around the island, soaking in the sights and indulging in a little shopping spree—we just can't resist a good market. Afterward, we enjoyed a delicious dinner followed by an incredible fire show. The night ended with a round of truth or dare, which led to one of the girls standing on the table belting out One Direction songs—definitely a memorable moment! The next morning, we set off on a boat trip to the iconic Maya Bay. We got up close with the monkeys by going into the water, which was an unforgettable experience. From there, we headed to another spot for some swimming and snorkeling. We saw incredible marine life, including baby sharks, clownfish, and moorish idols. The boat trip itself was a bit of a wild ride with a storm approaching, and we were all ...

Koh Phangan: Beach Days, Full Moon Nights, and Muay Thai

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We arrived in Koh Phangan and immediately fell in love with the stunning beachfront accommodation. The water was crystal clear, the palm trees were swaying in the breeze, and I quickly made a new friend—Dave, the hotel dog. Dave was a total icon, and I spent way too much time giving him pets and belly rubs. After settling in, we spent a relaxing day on the beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying the view before gearing up for the wild night ahead.We kicked off the night with dinner, where we met up with another tour group, before diving into the fun by painting each other with UV colors and singing our hearts out at karaoke. Afterward, we headed to the next venue for our own version of a Full Moon Party (sadly, no full moon that night). Ofe and I then made our way to the beach, where we watched the fire performers in awe. I even gave it a try myself, though I’ll admit, I wasn’t quite a natural! The next morning, we took it easy with a beach-hopping adventure and a visit to the Apichada ...

Jungle Adventures in Khao Sok National Park

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After a long overnight train we finally arrived at Khao Sok National Park, ready to explore one of Thailand’s hidden gems. We kicked off with a scenic ride in a longtail boat, cutting through emerald-green waters and flanked by towering limestone cliffs, until we reached our first unique accommodation: floating bungalows. Each bungalow came with its own kayak, and the chance to go tubing was irresistible! We spent the afternoon in the water, enjoying the surreal experience of being surrounded by such serene beauty. Later, we set off on another boat ride, this time to try our luck at some monkey spotting. We soaked up the views while drifting along the lake, and that evening, enjoyed a buffet-style dinner back at the bungalows—just the right way to refuel after a day on the water. The next morning, we moved deeper into the jungle to a family-run sustainable farm, where we were given a tour and treated to lunch made from ingredients they grew themselves.The experience felt authentic and ...

Exploring Bangkok: First Three Days in Thailand

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My journey began with an epic 18-hour trip from Glasgow to Bangkok, connecting through Amsterdam. Ofe and I arrived in Bangkok feeling both exhausted and excited, and were greeted by our driver, who whisked us through the city’s vibrant streets to our hotel. There we met Emma and Ming, our cheerful tour guides who welcomed us to Bangkok and gave us a quick rundown of what to expect in the days ahead. After settling in, we decided to kick off our Thai adventure with some retail therapy at the Siam Shopping Centre. Known for its endless array of shops, Siam had everything from luxury brands to quirky local stores. We spent hours browsing, completely lost in the sheer variety, before heading back to meet the rest of our tour group over a delicious dinner. Everyone was excited to share their travel stories, and it was the perfect way to bond with our fellow adventurers. The next morning, we set off for a day packed with cultural experiences. Our first stop was a temple, where we received a...