Thailand is the first place I travelled by myself, with the need of finding something bigger than life itself. I was unsure of what I was chasing, but I know I was definitely chasing something. I had done a bit of research and Thailand looked like the perfect place; beautiful beaches, yummy fruits, hot tropics and cheap to travel there. Despite all of the above, what surprised me the most when I first landed was the kindness of people. One after the other, they offer to help, ask if you’re ok, smile at you and show genuine care for you. Coming from North America, this wasn't very traditional for me. Where I am from most people mind their own business and are almost reluctant to help other people. To witness and realise this made my heart lighter and made me feel very comfortable. I first landed in Phuket, where I rented a bed for a couple nights in a hostel, hoping to make some friends quickly. Next morning, friends were made and we went exploring the place together. From there I was on and off with friends, by myself, moving to new places and taking day trips to explore the island. As recommended, I had a list of things I really wanted to see and activities I wanted to do, so I made sure to do my research before going to a different place. My Thailand experience consisted of many bus rides, a loooot of pad thai, dancing on the bars in Phuket and boat rides around the many islands.

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Thai cuisine is known for its bold flavors, use of fresh herbs and spices, and a perfect balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy tastes. Here are some popular dishes you might find in Thailand:

Pad Thai - A stir-fried rice noodle dish with tofu, shrimp, bean sprouts, egg, and a tangy tamarind sauce.

Tom Yum Goong - A spicy and sour soup with shrimp, lemongrass, galangal, and lime juice.

Green Curry - A creamy and spicy curry made with coconut milk, green chili, and Thai herbs. It's often served with chicken or vegetables.

Som Tam - A spicy and tangy salad made with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, chili, peanuts, and lime juice.

Massaman Curry - A rich and flavorful curry with tender chunks of beef or chicken, potatoes, peanuts, and spices.

Khao Pad - A fried rice dish with vegetables, egg, and your choice of meat or seafood.

Mango Sticky Rice - A sweet and refreshing dessert made with glutinous rice, fresh mango, and sweet coconut milk.

These are just a few examples of the delicious dishes that Thailand has to offer. Thai cuisine is diverse and varies by region, so there are always new and exciting flavors to explore.

The city filled with life and street food, make sure you get the most authentic experience while you’re there. Don't be shy to bargain with the street vendors, make sure you take traffic into consideration and make use of the tuktuks. Since the place is so busy and crowded, I felt really safe and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. As per usual I followed safety advice and made sure I had a list of things I wanted to see and places to visit. What I love most about Bangkok is the easy access to all food. You get to try everything over there, and the culinary experience is taken seriously. The sky train is super easy to use and very affordable, making your experience very authentic.

From my experience, the North of Thailand is completely different from the rest of the country. There is more space, the cities are less crowded and busy than Bangkok and the tourist attractions are absolutely stunning. From a drive to a hike to a religious temple, you will find everything, in a more authentic way than in the big cities. It is also in the North of Thailand that you will find the most ethical elephant sanctuary, something that I recommend everyone to look into before going to any elephant sanctuary that they come across to. The one I visited in Chiang Mai was very intimate and small, with only about 8 or 9 elephants, all rescued from various places around the world. They pride themselves on being ethical and they take precious care of the animals. No animal riding is allowed, and only small groups at the time are allowed to visit the elephants.

Northern Thailand provides experiences that are hard to find elsewhere in the country such as tea plantations, real coffees, festivals and more affordable price for your bucks.

The south of Thailand will provide exactly what you came to Thailand for; stunning white beaches, island hopping and great parties. When I arrived in Thailand, this is exactly what I was looking for and had an amazing time experiencing it. I highly recommend island hopping with an organised tour, it’s a great way to see and scout amazing locations and to make friends. The sand is so fine and white, the water is warm and crystal clear, you truly feel in constant awe of the beauty around you. I found that it was also a great way to see animal interactions such as monkeys, sea life and geckos. You can also find some important monuments such as the cave temple and Big Buddha.

The local people are trying very hard to preserve the beauty and habitat of the place, therefore some beaches sometimes have restricted entry for a certain amount of time, to help the coral reef, so reef safe sunscreen is definitely worth buying. Not feeding the wildlife is also equally important.

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