The Best Of: Thailand

ByZoom | On September 18,16 | 7 Comments

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!

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

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!

Any context I can include to make these posts better for you? Leave me a comment!

Inspiring Stuff, Thailand, Travel

Why I didn’t visit the Karen Long Neck villages in Thailand.

ByZoom | On July 31,16 | 4 Comments

I chose not to visit the Karen Long Neck villages in Thailand – or any native village for that matter. Why not?

During my month in Thailand, I noticed that most activities for tourists were things that were ‘awesome photo opportunities’. Admittedly, I gotta say, part of the draw of coming to Thailand was for exactly that – sweet, sweet photos. Bring on that Reddit karma, baby! Visiting native villages, like the long neck villages, is one of the most popular ways to get those photos.

Let’s address two questions:

1 .What is considered an “awesome photo”?

2. At what cost do these photos come?

Thailand, Travel, Working Abroad

The 5 things I learned teaching English in Thailand – a Workaway report.

I sit on the local bus headed to Chiang Rai, my elbow hanging out the window. The falling raindrops creating small pools of sweat, dirt, and cool, sweet freedom on my skin. I welcomed the rain, washing away the anxiety of the last two weeks. My heart cracks open like the sky, and begins to sing.

1. I learned I am not clever.

Thailand, Travel, Unusual Adventures

My first Cat Cafe: Cat n a Cup

My first cat cafe

ByZoom | On May 05,16 | 3 Comments

Cat n a Cup, one cool cat cafe.

As is my way, I spent one of the first days in Chiang Rai, Thailand exploring my surroundings and getting a little lost.

Walking down the alley near my hostel, I spotted a beautiful clock tower that was so shiny it drew me in like an insect to a bug light.

Clock tower Chiang Rai Thailand — Clock tower Chaing Rai Thailand

So mesmerized by the tower, I almost didn’t realize that I was standing right next to a shop window that was filled with beady little cat eyes.
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Thailand, Travel

Living in Thailand: My Thai Life

my thai life

ByZoom | On May 04,16 | 0 Comment

Living in Thailand is wonderful.

My lifestyle here is both the same and different as it was in the US. I still have to do things like laundry. I still have expenses and worry about money. I still walk a tonnnn like I did in Chicago.

The way I go about accomplishing these things is different, though. For example, I avoid eating hot meals from 12pm-4 pm; instead, I eat fruit or other cooling things. Without the typical 9-5 routine, I can make my own schedule that jives with the culture here.

While there are things that would be more consistent if I were a permanent resident (like grocery shopping), I’ve developed a nice routine that I find myself sticking to – and it might surprise you.
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Thailand, Travel

My cooking class in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Cooking class review Chiang Mai Thailand

ByZoom | On April 30,16 | 0 Comment

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my favorite cooking school in chiang mai thailand — At Zabb E Lee cooking school

Ahhhhh Thai food….I mean, that’s why we go to Thailand right? To eat the food?

No? You wanted to do other things too like see Bangkok and play with baby elephants? Ah, I see…well…today we’re talking about cooking!
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