It’s safe to say that I have never traveled solo or in a large group simply being the kind of girl who travels with a small close knit bunch of friends or husband/Instagram husband. So when Contiki came knocking on my door with a proposal to join a group of 26 youngsters, on an adventure to Thailand, I was apprehensive but intrigued. However, I decided to take the plunge, step outside my comfort zone and hit the road on a 5-day journey to explore Northern Thailand. While I may have been to Thailand a bunch of times, this particular rendezvous was nothing like I had ever been a part of and here’s what went down and dirty in ‘The Land of Smiles’.
- Grand Palace Bangkok
Confession: Despite having been to Bangkok several times, I have never visited the Grand Palace. Food and shopping always seemed to take precedence over visiting this marvel and I’m so glad this time worked out.
As soon as you enter the premises of the glittering Grand Palace you are awestruck. The elaborate splendor and intricate carvings that adorn the walls of the temples are believed to date back to 1782 during the reign of King Rama I and till date still remains the official residence of the Thai Royal Family although they do not live here anymore. It’s easy to spend hours here marveling at the remarkable architecture before you from one courtyard to the next. If you’re lucky you may have the opportunity to hear little children sing hymns in the courtyard only adding to the grand spiritual experience.
Note: Grand Palace is regarded as one of the holiest places in the whole of Thailand, as a result they have a strict dress code aka temple wear. Shoulders, midriffs, ankles, backs should not be exposed.
- One night in Bangkok:
Due to our busy schedule, we only had one night in Bangkok to paint the town red. So we did what most people visiting Bangkok would do – SHOP & PARTY. We began our evening with an early dinner followed by a quick Tuk Tuk ride to the famed night market of Bangkok – ChatuChak, home to 10000 + market stalls that sell anything ranging from food to artifacts to clothes to home décor to pet accessories. While I’ve had my fair share of shopping in Bangkok, it’s safe to say that this market is the best bargain in the city with incredible variety and dirt cheap prices.
Opening Hours: Saturday–Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm, Friday from 6 pm to midnight (the plants sections also open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 am to 6 pm).
After a few rounds of withdrawing money from a nearby ATM due to having spent all our cash on shopping, we decided to head to the bars at Sukhumvit. Having frequented this area before I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s best to walk in to any local street bar and enjoy a beer in the midst of Bangkok’s chaotic nightlife.
- Hop on the Contiki coach, next stop Kanchanaburi
Let me begin by saying that the next few locations I am about to mention are those that I had never heard of. A fairly long drive from Bangkok to the city of Kanchanaburi with a few too many pee stops and snacks was well worth the journey to the interior of the country. We started by visiting the World War II cemetery and the famed Bridge on the River Kwai (Kwai not Khwāy, Khwāy is buffalo in Thai :)) where our local guide shared the dark history of this place. The Burma – Siam Railway (Death Railway) was built by Dutch and American prisoners of war and during its construction it is believed that 13000 prisoners of war died and were buried along the railway along with approximately 80000 – 100000 civilians that also lost their lives during this time.
After completion of this project, graves of those who died during the construction and maintenance of the Burma-Siam railway (except for the Americans, whose remains were repatriated) were transferred from camp burial grounds and isolated sites along the railway into cemeteries at Chungkai and Kanchanaburi in Thailand. Sombre as it may sound, this site is held in great reverence in the hearts of the Thai and those that lost their fellow countrymen.
4. Next mode of transport – Boat to The Floating Jungle Raft Hotel
Why limit your mode of transport to a road when you can hop on to a boat and float along the River Kwai to your next destination. A gorgeous 20 minute boat ride and we were at the breathtaking Floating Jungle Raft Hotel. This counts as one of the most unique stay experiences yet with huts just floating in the middle of the river, where electricity and internet cease to exist. Dinners are candlelit, showers with just the right water temperature and local meals fit for royalty. Fancy an early morning dip in the river? Go for it, straight from your room in to the cool waters of River Kwai.
5. Erawan National Park
Another early morning coach ride and we reached Erawan National park that houses the magnificent 7-tiered Erawan waterfall. We decided to park ourselves at level 3 as it does in my opinion have the most beautiful sight of the falls. Not to mention, you can take a quick dip in the ponds and splash around under the Thai sun.
Note: Best to arrive no later than 10 AM to avoid massive crowds.
6. Ayutthaya – Thailand’s ancient capital
We made our way to the UNESCO listed city of Ayutthaya, once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam before being destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th Century. To spice things up, we had the option to cycle the 2 km to the ancient site or take a tuk tuk. For those of you who cannot work a bicycle (as myself) the tuk tuk option is a pleasant way to hit the village roads bumps and everything! We spent the next hour passing ornate temples, towering spires and wandering the ancient ruins. Ayutthaya was named after a magical kingdom from Thailand’s national epic, the Ramakien. The old capital of Thailand came to an end when it was attacked by the Burmese leaving most of it devastated by fires. What is left of these relics and temples are still found in Ayutthaya today, of which there are about 50. These ruins were discovered in 1991, and they were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
7. Overnight Train to Chiang Mai
It has possibly been 10 years now since I did an overnight journey by train let alone in my own country than in another. That’s the beauty of a contiki travel itinerary – it’s out of the box, straight up adventurous and exciting! We boarded the sleeper train from Ayutthaya and didn’t get much sleep mainly because we turned it in to a party train! Keeping in mind we had other passengers on board, the 11 hour journey was more than comfortable filled with conversations, snacks, some skin care demonstrations and countless storytelling sessions.
- Chiang Mai & Elepahnt Nature Park
As an animal lover I pronounce the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai to be the highlight of my trip. The Elephant Nature Park is an elephant rescue and rehabilitation center that not only cares for Elephants but has also created a safe natural environment for dogs, cats, buffaloes and many other animals. Volunteers and visitors make up the running of this centre and we spent a good part of our morning walking the park and learning more about elephants and their protection. The park also provides a lavish buffet style vegetarian lunch for all visitors, employment to locals and purchasing agricultural products locally in order to sustain their distinct culture. This park with their animals stole my heart and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Chiang Mai.
- Look Ma, I can cook #thaicookingclass
My family will attest to this, I am a terrible cook and have zero inclination to whip something up when in the kitchen. So I challenged myself – I took a Thai cooking class and basically nailed it! “The Best Thai Cooking Course” was an optional activity from Contiki for those interested in cooking and eating a 5 course Thai meal. It all begins with a drive to the local market to hand pick ingredients and understand those required for Thai cooking followed by a drive to a mansion style house at a quaint location a few kilometres outside Chiang Mai.
What’s on the menu?
- Shrimp & Chicken Tom Yum Soup
- Pumpkin and Chicken Penang Curry
- Cashew Chicken
- Pad Thai
- Mango Sticky Rice
Did I cook it all? Yes & No. The Chef skillfully demonstrated how to cook each dish which we were meant to replicate at our cooking stations. Safe to say we had chicken strewn outside the wok rather than inside and fires that nearly burnt our eyebrows off. That being said, each dish turned out delicious without any serious casualties and most importantly very content bellies.
- PARTAY TIME
What happens when you bring a bunch of 18-32 year old’s together for 5 days? We party, we eat, we bond, we share our ups and downs but most importantly we create friendships for life. Therefore, our last night with the family had to be epic. AND EPIC IT WAS. We began the evening at Chiang Mai’s night market and local cabaret show, followed by beers and cocktail buckets at “Zoe in Yellow”, ending the night at “Spicy” one of Chiang Mai’s hottest clubs.
The following morning was spent nursing hangovers, teary goodbyes and lots of selfies.
Head over to Contiki to view their complete ‘Northern Thailand Itinerary‘ and use SIMONE100 for USD 100 off on your next Contiki trip! (Book by 15 November. Valid for trips 7 days or longer. To book, email – [email protected])
What is Contiki?
Contiki are the world leaders in organized youth travel. Operating since 1962, they’ve been showing young travellers the world for over 55 years, with one incredible travel philosophy – “No Regrets” – A way of connecting to the world around us, understanding how each and every travel experience shapes and changes us as a human being.
Contiki aims at those between the ages of 18-35 years, those curious to experience the world for the very first time or the 55th time and ready to pull those guards down and step out of their comfort zone. They cover 6 continents, offering 300 + trips in 50+ countries, with experienced trip managers, local guides and comforts you are looking for while traveling.