Reflections on Thailand 

**Note: This post was also written a couple of days ago. I am no longer sitting on a slow boat, just trying to get caught up!!

As I sit here on this slow boat down the Mekong River in Laos, I have had a lot of time to reflect on my journey in Thailand. It seems so long ago now that I first arrived in Thailand, although at this point it was only a week ago. But in that week, I was able to experience so much!

Koh Samui was my first stop, and a relaxing one at that! I was amazed by the ease of crossing through customs at the tiny and beautiful airport. But I did not have much exposure to Thai culture at this stop.

Next, I headed to the bustling, busy, but exceptionally friendly Bangkok. I got to meet up with an old friend, who took me to the Asiatique market and also introduced me to some delicious Thai food. Then I got to meet up with an amazing group of teachers from the U.S. and our wonderful guide to explore more of Bangkok. There is a lot to see and do in Bangkok, from the wats to the Grand Palace to the canals, so you need at least a few days to enjoy this city and not feel too rushed. I was glad I arrived a night before my tour actually started to give me more time to explore.

Traffic is crazy in Bangkok at all hours! It doesn’t matter if it is rush hour or not–expect bumper-to-bumper traffic. Crossing the street was a daily challenge, but felt easier in a group when we could cross in one big mass. There were not a lot of crosswalks. However, the metro system is pretty straightforward and easy to use. And despite being warned against tuk tuks by my cab driver, I rode them three times through Bangkok under recommendation of my guide. It is a little frightening sometimes how they weave in and out of traffic, but I survived! There is also the option of hopping on the back of a motorcycle taxi (one which I did not take).

From Bangkok, we took the night train to Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second largest city, though it is significantly smaller and quieter than Bangkok. We only had a day and a half here (just one night) and I would have loved to have a little more time! The city is beautifully located among the mountains, allowing for a cooler and pleasant temperature. The silver handicrafts are amazing, and I was very impressed by the silver temple created by the artisans in the city. We also went to another temple on a hill, where we were able to hear monks chanting. I thought I might be tired of temples by this point in my trip, but each one is unique and beautiful in its own way. And our guide, a former Buddhist monk, is able to give a unique perspective and a lot of insight into the beliefs of Buddhism. The markets in Chiang Mai are bustling with activity, and we were lucky to be there on a Saturday to experience the Saturday walking market. This is a great place to get some street food or souvenirs, but be prepared for crowds and noise! I also loved my experience at the Thai Elephant Home, but I would have also loved to take a cooking class. Some people in my group chose this option, and raved about it afterwards! They said they started with a market visit where they learned about local produce and herbs, then they each got to select three dishes to prepare. At the end, they received a cookbook with recipes for all of the options. While I do not regret riding the elephants, I wish I had one more night in Chiang Mai so that I could have taken the cooking class as well!

Outside of the cities, the Thai countryside is beautiful. It is so lush and green. People live pretty sustainably, it seems, raising their own chickens. Our guide said that there are not a lot of commercial farms in Thailand. Outside of the cities, it seems most people live on farms and provide for themselves.

I was concerned it might be too hot in Thailand at this time of the year, but the weather was mostly very pleasant. At times, especially in the afternoon, the sun could sometimes get very hot, but it would cool back down in the evening.

And the food is delicious, of course! I’m somewhat of a spice wimp (and a little ashamed of that fact) but there were always choices for food that was not so spicy. Some curries were too strong for me, but others were not so bad and quite tasty.

  
I have often heard people say that Thailand is one of their favorite countries to visit, and I can understand why! From the friendly people, to the tasty food, to the beautiful architecture and scenery, I had a very pleasant experience in Thailand.

So three countries down, two more to go! Next stop–Laos!