American Girl in Thailand

Most of you have gotten a preview of my Thailand photos from the emails I sent or having access to my Facebook page. I have posted my videos on YouTube under the channel FirstThreeInc and they are all titled Thailand Video (#) and the list titles below are also links to my photo albums, but not necessarily related to the corresponding title.

But this is the Official Post of my 16 day trip to Thailand.

Overview:

16 days

Enter Bangkok, Jan 23

Travel to Kanchanaburi Jan 25

Take a Sleeper Train to SuraThani to take a ferry to Kho Phangang Jan 27

Leave the island for (Kho Tao - Jackie) Chiang Mai

Take Sleeper train to Bangkok to airport to catch a flight to Chiang Mai Jan 31

Chiang Mai Feb 1-3
Take Sleeper Train back to Bangkok

Shopping and chilling in Bangkok Feb 4-8

Things I learned:

Pack light: Bring your old undies and things you are okay with throwing away. You can buy everything you need here (Bangkok) either at the markets or 7-11 so bring an empty bag and come on!


Exchange USD: To get the best deal exchange USD or Euros, not Korean Won

Bring Pepto Tablets: Cause you never know......

It's Okay to Rely on the Kindness of Strangers: It's a backpacker's country and many are return visitors so talk to them, make friends, and write down the advice

TAT is Easier: But make sure that it is a Thailand Authority of Tourism (or something like that) and not just TAT initials. Got a lot of things you want to do and see in Thailand? Got to the TAT and they will help you out from train to plane to accommodations, they have it all covered. But go there FIRST, it helps you better balance your budget.

Wear a Watch: Unless your cell phone works in this country, which mine does not, you will need one.

Bug Spray, Sunblock, Water: 3 essentials to get to through your hard times and backpacker days



Keep Your Camera Ready: You never know when there is a Water Buffalo outside your beach front bungalow




US Plugs Work: Check the voltage (220) but my camera charger works fine


Agree to Disagree: Make the trip your own and don't be afraid to travel alone; Cautious, but not afraid


Bring Trainers: Flip flops are only mountain climbing friendly to Thai people



Sleeper Train: If you are over 5'6" get the bottom bunk. They are a lot roomier and more cushion




iPods, Books, and Journals, a Good Idea: Trains are late, you arrive too early, entertainment is needed

Work in a European Country: They obviously get way better vacation and free health care

Bring a Sleeping Mask (and Earplugs): Sleeping next to the light on the train or keeping the light on so geicos don't crawl into bed with you, either way you may need one

I kept a journal while I was there and here are some exerpts from what I wrote throughout my trip:

1-26-08

-it was kind scary at times trying to make it up to the top over suspect bridges, moss covered rocks, and flowing streams. I was dripping sweat. Nothing sexy about that. And now we are getting ready to go to a cave. Yippee?

1-27-08

-Today I am on a bamboo raft and I totally have a life jacket on. The breeze is amazing, but I would rather be feeling this from a porch.

-"Mei-Li the Hero" that is what my group is calling me after the raft and elephant riding. I took a video of Jackie and I and it was horrible!! We were on the elephant and the ride was really bumpy....the poor elephant had to poop and well I guess it wasn't going as planned and he began flinging poo with his tail. Jackie and I were freaking out, but we made it out clean and alive.

2-3-08

-....the Sunday Walking Market (Chiang Mai) is HUGE! With a lot of great things to buy. Chiang Mai really is the place to shop. And I feel I bought some great things here. Plus my painting that i took pictures of. Actually I like that idea taking pictures of pictures of paintings I can't buy and blowing them up and framing them....I got some serious culture intake and I couldn't be happier.