Oh, Thailand, how I miss thee.

Cities visited: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chiang Saen, Random Jungle Roads on a Motorcycle

Thailand will always be special to me unlike any other country can be. It was the first country I visited outside of the US (I’m not counting Canada because it’s like “America lite”- sorry Canada). Landing in Bangkok, Thailand immediately rocked my world.

Out of everywhere I visited, I spent the most time in Thailand. I literally left the day that my entrance stamp expired. The customs officer even commented on it – I told her that I wanted to stay as long as I could! I love Thailand! She smiled.

Thailand and I had a lot of firsts together. I visited my first cat cafe, taught English even though I didn’t have a college degree (and hated it), tried all kinds of interesting foods, took a cooking class, bathed baby elephants, saw more temples than I needed to, took my first sleeping train, rode a motorbike through the jungle, and ate crazy amounts of Pad Thai.

I also sweat my ass off EVERY. DAY….. WORTH IT!

Thailand was the perfect way to enter my travels into Asia, making Thailand one of the best of the best!

Photo viewing recommendations: If you’d like to view the story behind each photo, click on the photos and look through them like a slideshow. The story is in the captions!

While I was teaching at a local school, I stayed with a Thai host. Along with the other teachers, one night we had a “family dinner”. This fish was cooked on a stone over coals, it’s belly full of lemon grass. She taught us how to properly take the skin off for maximum eating efficientness! Even though it was staring at me, it was delicious!

At a market in Thailand. Unlike America, supermarkets are not very popular in Asia. When you need groceries, you go to the market which is filled with farmers selling their own wares. All of the meat featured here was raised, slaughtered and brought to the market by the owner. Talk about fresh!

This is photo is from Bangkok. While in Asia, I noticed that there were no clothes dryers – everybody air dries their clothes. Dryers are expensive, and it’s so hot outside, who wants to add to that heat?

Lanterns and string lights at one of the largest markets in Bangkok. It’s a good thing I was traveling for 5 months – knowing I would have to carry everything I bought was a big deterrent for impulse buys!

Taken in Bangkok at a market. One of the things I miss most about Thailand is the amount of fresh fruit that’s available. You can literally pick it off the tree, and fruit at the market is crazy fresh.

Fruit isn’t the only readily-available food in Asia. Being so close to the ocean, and with most of the population being laborers, seafood is fresh and everywhere!

Dairy is limited in Asia – there aren’t too many cows around. So what do you make ice cream out of? Coconuts! Vendors crack open a coconut of your choosing, use a special tool that looks like a horror-movie fork to scrape out the inside, and then mix it with the milk from the coconut. Combined with a quick freezing process and: tada! Coconut ice cream. Honestly, I hate coconut, but it was so hot out the day I took this I had to have some relief – no matter the flavor!

The primary form of transportation in Southeast Asia: Tuk Tuks! Souped up motorcycles with bodies added, Tuk Tuks are the most convenient way to zip around town. Always counter offer at 50% of what the driver is asking for the fare and bargain for there. Never get in until you’ve agreed on a price!

This was taken at a mall outside of Chiang Rai. I rented a motorbike to make the two hour drive to this mall so I could visit one of the only supermarkets in the area. I needed to buy cheese!

Lady-boys from Bangkok’s Red Light district, Soi Cowboy. I wasn’t allowed to take pictures at the following sex show. The REAL BangKOK.

My second day in Thailand, the zipper on my day bag broke. Luckily, Asia is chock full of tailors. Unfortunately, the tailor recommended by my hostel said they couldn’t fix my bag. Pointing across the street the lady said “he can though”. I walked across the street and took a seat on one of the tiny stools, handing over my backpack. The man looked at it, running the broken zipper up and down. He applied something to the zipper, tightened it with a tool and to my amazement, it worked perfectly! He handed it back to me and wrote “20” on a piece of paper. I handed him 20 Baht, bowed, and left. While silent, it was one of the most memorable interactions of my trip.

A beautifully colored temple I stumbled across behind a market. While Thailand is chock full of temples, this one was particularly flamboyant. It was empty inside, so I sat for a bit, enjoying the incense and catching my breath.

Thailand has mangos and rice coming out the wazoo! Thus, a must try desert there is Mango and Sticky rice. This picture is me trying it for the first time – the first of MANY times! I also learned to make this when I took a cooking class later on. Mango, sticky rice, coconut ice cream on a banana leaf.

A dilapidated, but still beautiful building in Bangkok.

I almost missed this little guy! Baby pineapples and other fruits grow wild all around the country.

A longboat on the river in Bangkok. These are popularly used for boat tours.

The Thais aren’t afraid to air out their laundry. These lucky residents seem to have air conditioners. Taken from a riverboat tour.

I would totally live in this house – even if the river is filled with crocodiles.

Elephants are a huge part of Thai culture. They are often featured at temples, and depicted in statues.

I met a girl named Olivia during my first few days in Bangkok. Together we went exploring! She took my photo when we came across this amazing gateway.

One of the biggest temples I found in Bangkok. Seriously, the architecture is phenomenal!

The majority of Thais identify as Buddhist, and Buddha is everywhere throughout the country. They are well taken care of, and polished by monks daily to keep them pristine.

I can’t cross my legs as well as Buddha.

This is a national geographic photo right here, right? Carrying goods via a pole on your shoulders is still a very practical way to transport your items.

Dragons also appear throughout the country on a regular basis.

Stray cats make themselves at home all over Thailand, even in the temples.

Dreamcatchers and windchimes at a local market.

This puppy was a stray at a gas station I stopped at while out on my motorbike. Too cute, I broke down and bought him some meat on a skewer. He loved it, keeping the skewer as a chew toy. I wish I could have brought him home!

Me with some of the younger elephants at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

I was worried I might lose my arm here, but the elephants are less interested in flesh and more interested in bananas!

Feeding the elephants at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary.

An Asian elephant at at Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Asian elephants are smaller than African elephants.

Elephant hugs! One of my most memorable photos from my entire trip.

Elephant kisses were included too! Wet, sloppy and smelling like banana – just the way I like my kisses!

The Mahout (elephant trainer) saw this happening, yelling “Elephant on Elephant!” and laughing hysterically.

“Elephant on Elephant!”

Hard to see in this picture, but the baby elephant is nursing from her mother here. They were walking up a hill and baby said “mom, it’s time!” When you’re hungry, you gotta eat! I’m glad my nipples aren’t near my knees (at least not for another 40 years, I hope!)

Fresh Dragonfruit. While insanely expensive in America, these were less than $1/ea in Thailand.

Fresh vegetables at a market.

One of my favorite fruits – Rambutan. Cheap (in Asia), readily available and great for transporting.

Freshly caught fish. $.50/batch

A farmer sells her produce at a market.

This just makes me laugh – very clever! Someone’s having fun at work today!

A mother and child purchase food for dinner.

Pad Thai I made MYSELF in my cooking class in Chiang Mai.

Making curry by hand the old school way – with mortal and pestle.

All throughout Asia, walking streets can be found at night. Vendors sell their wares, performers make themselves known, and I admire the beautiful umbrellas strung above.

Pad Thai is popular in Thailand too! It’s everywhere, and always fresh!

Art in honor of the elephants. At this booth, I got to sit and watch the painter work on these – so talented!

My future husband at the White Temple.

The White Temple (officially known as “Wat Rong Khun”). This isn’t actually a temple, but rather an art installation.

Hands at the white temple, symbolizing unrestrained desire.

Thousands of tiny bells at Wat Rong Khun.

A subtemple at Wat Rong Khun.

Dark faces at the white temple.

I assume this to be some sort of Buddhist God, but I haven’t managed to find out which one. Either way, stunning and scary at the same time.

Thousands of tiny bells at Wat Rong Khun.

The tree of demons at the white temple.

My hostel in Chiang Rai, Thailand. I actually went back here twice – I loved staying there!

The pool at a hostel in Chiang Rai. Proud to call this my office for a week.

Cats worldwide love to rub on things you’re trying to use.

I visited a Cat Cafe everyday for an entire week while I was staying in Chiang Rai. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the $3 waffle / ice cream towers they had.

My blogging support buddy “Poi” which is Thai for “furball”.

One of the cats at Cat N’ a Cup.

Hot Pot is a popular style of eating in Asia. You take your uncooked ingredients, add them to a broth of your making where they will cook to your satisfaction! This is my selection from one of my first times trying hot pot. I wish I’d had someone to take me, I’m not very good at making broth!

Sneaking….

Got you!

One of the cats at Cat N’ a Cup.

Cat friends at Cat n a Cup.

I wish you could come home with me, buddy.

The door of a toilet stall in Chiang Rai. So fancy!

A snail bar at a food stall during the night market in Chiang Rai.

My Thai host while I was teaching English had a few dogs. This is my puppy buddy Phakut. She loves foreigners!

I don’t know man…it’s a big elephant! Walking under their bellies is good luck.

A view from the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar all converge at the Mekong River.

A baby kitten found at the school I was teaching at.

Me and my fellow teachers.

In America, I crochet scarves for the trees. I was so happy to see Thailand does that sometimes too!

The best pizza I had during my entire trip. While I tried it in every country, no place made it like this one. The place was owned by an Australian guy, so I give him credit.

Half way through the school day, the students get a break to drink milk. Here are some of my students enjoying their snack – notice how the doors to the classroom are open. Yep, class is held in 116 degree heat.

A parrot at the school I was teaching at. I was told he can’t fly – but he can talk real well! Sadly, he only speaks Thai.

An activity I did with my students. It was a big hit!

The headmistress at the school I worked at. She’s so tiny! She got me some beautiful gifts. The two things I’m holding and the necklace were both from her.

Momma and babies.

Chicken feet and blood soup. As an American, I turn my nose up at this a bit, but that’s only because I’m privileged. In a country like Thailand, you can’t afford to waste anything – not even feet or blood.

A flower vendor making a delivery to a temple.

A women in traditional dress selling her wares at the night market.

Night markets always have live performances happening. I sat for a bit and enjoyed watching these beautiful women dance!

Pad Thai and a strawberry milkshake – $3. What a great breakfast, no?

Motorcycle rental for one day, including gas $7. My first time riding a motorbike – yeehaw! It was addicting.

Feet, and their behavior, is taken very seriously in Thailand. It’s rude to point the your toes or soles of your feat toward anyone. Pictured here is an acceptable way to cross your legs.

Taken on the sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

My entrance stamp – the first in my passport!

Early morning walk in Bangkok. I found out quickly that Asia doesn’t really wake up until about 11 am.

A woman preparing durian. You can see that she’s missing parts from some of her fingers. The knife she uses to clean the durian is no joke!

I know in my heart that someday I’ll return to Thailand – I would even consider living there. Next time, I’ll appreciate it even more. In contrast to the other countries I visited, the Thai people were the nicest, the food the most delicious, and the fruit the freshest.

In the meantime, I’m trying to live as Asia-like as possible! Even at this moment, I’m wearing my ‘Aladdin’ pants I got from Thailand. Now, off to make some Pad Thai….I don’t care that it’s three in the morning!

I’m so excited to be bringing you the “Best Of:” series. I love looking through these photos, re-living all these experiences, then sharing them with you. Next week, we’ll be seeing the Best Of: Laos!

REMINDER!

Don’t forget we’re running a giveaway right now for an adorable set of what I’m calling “adventure clutches”. Aren’t they cute?!

To enter the giveaway, all you need to do is fill out this form. Winners will be announced on October 6th! If you are the winner, I’ll contact you via email for your address. Godspeed, contestants!