When I got to Thailand, I did not know what to expect. Even though it’s one of those places everyone has visited with stories to share, I still didn’t know. I listened patiently to every story, nodding like I had some clue what they were talking about, but I couldn’t follow along. I didn’t have a clue where any of the places were located, and couldn’t pronounce any of them again, if I did.
But I will definitely become that person who shares their stories, so I would like to thank everyone for the advice!
After a 30 hour travel day, we arrived in Bangkok. Downing jet leg pills the entire flight, we arrived feeling great and excited! We stayed in an area called Silom in a beautiful guesthouse with most the authentic food market I have ever seen one block away.
At first, Thailand is a little overwhelming. Busy streets, different smells and not knowing a single Thai word. No matter how many times I repeated it to myself, I could NOT pronounce “Korb koon kha” which means thank-you. It’s been five days and I am getting ready to move on to my second word.
I am friggin hopeless.
We tackled all the major things to do in Bangkok. Eat in the markets (which is friggin phenomenal), and visited Koh San Road. There, we indulged in market purchases (bags, shirts, sunglasses) and I even got a tailored made suit with 3 shirts (because you have to, right?)
In celebration of getting my first custom suit, we relaxed while drinking smoothies and getting hour long foot massages for about $4.
Seriously? I could get used to this.
After that, we headed to Phuket!
Now, Phuket was not quite what we were expecting. While we were both hoping for a chilled out place with amazing beaches, we got something entirely different.
I mean, man, were we wrong.
Perhaps SOMEWHERE in Phuket are amazing beaches but not near Old Town Phuket where we stayed. While it has its own character, this was not the Thailand we were seeking.
We decided to make the most of it and head to Patong for the night. Patong didn’t have picture perfect beaches, but it definitely had the party Thailand is famous for.
Full of all the crazy night life you expect in Thailand, we walked through the streets amazed. Night clubs, lady boy shows and the famous – Ping Pong show.
We went to the Ping Pong show because it’s something you apparently need to see.
Oh. My. God.
First off, I was beyond thankful for sitting near the back. I am not sure I will ever get the memories of what I saw out of my head. I never wanted to know it is possible to do what those women did. While the men laughed, every woman looked stunned. God knows how any of it was possible.
Google it for more details. Scarring. Let’s put it this way – birds were in places that birds should never be.
So after one night in Phuket, we were ready to get the heck out of there.
Enter – paradise.