Hello 2025!!!
We spent January 1st, 2025 HERE:
And HERE
And also HERE:
This was at Erawan falls. It was increeeeedible. It was a paradise. It was so beautiful. It was all the adjectives.
It really was great. The hike itself is only about 1.5 hours and the view along the way is unbeatable. We stopped at each little waterfall to swim. We were eaten by fishes.
You know those fishes they have at spas that eat the dead skin cells? Yeah those. It’s awful. It’s the weirdest feeling. I did not enjoy.
And how could I forget. The day was made even better by a dog following us. Jean said I could not take him home.
Day eight: travel day
Not much to report to you on this travel day. We took a bus-van from Kanchanburi down to Bangkok to take a flight to Phuket.
Note to self: when you book flights in Bangkok, do yourself a favor and make sure you book it from the right airport. Because. There are two.
Day nine: Phuket!
Our itinirary in Phuket was reasonably extreme. We only had about 10 hours at the beach and pool that day. We really struggled. It was exhausting.
Day 10: Ok it was a busy day
Ok so this time we did actually have a sincerely busy day. We spent our morning hanging around elephants at an elephant rescue center.
Before we get the comments, we did our research. The place was ethically run. We were absolutely not allowed to bathe or ride the elephants. We were, however, able to feed them bananas and get somewhat close to them.
These elephants were rescued from people who had treated them poorly: beaten them so they were docile, poked, prodded, oveworked. The elephants were 6 older ladies who now were living their best lives.
Moving on!
As I have been boxing for a while now, I really wanted to try a Muay Thai boxing class. So I signed Jean up too.
We did an hour long Muay Thai class. It was fantastic. My left shin still hurts today. I should probably get it checked out.
Ah its fine I have physio later this week.
The Muay Thai was really interesting. You really can use all parts of the body which was just mind-blowing. Your elbow as an upper cut?? That just seems deadly? The knee up?? Immediate KO. Jabs to the liver and kidney? I am a beast.
I will say, and this was my favorite part, the coach let me hit him in more dangerous (for him) places than he let Jean. I am superior. Or maybe I was just the right height for the coach while Jean towered over him.
Now whats better than a Muay Thai class? Doing a full body massage right after the Muay Thai class.
We opted for non one-sided wrestling matches this time and went for the traditional style.
Let’s just say it was much needed.
You know whats better than a Muay Thai class and a full body massage? Eating my weight in pork belly. I love pork belly.
I really love pork belly.
I would have it for every meal if I could.
I have requested this for my birthday on Friday. If you ever need to give me a gift, please supply pork belly. Or shrimp.
Day 11: death by boat
You know that moment when you know something isn’t a good idea, but you do it anyway, and then your instinct proved to be right?
Alright so. We were in Phuket, reasonably close to the Phi Phi islands. So, of course, we should absolutely do a day trip. We found a reputable tour that would take us to 3 islands, provide lunch and just generally, vibes. The tour would take us to: Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh and Bamboo island. This would mean seeing Maya Bay from The Beach, Monkey island (from a distance), snorkeling, swimming in crystal clear blue waters, Thai lunch, and more swimming.
We were sold.
The thing is. And this is obvious. The whole trip would be done by speed boat.
A boat.
…
A boat……
In case you aren’t aware. I do not fare well on boats.
At all.
In fact, I usually get incredibly ill.
Having already been ill once on this trip, I pleged to myself I would not throw up this time. I was determined. I did all the research. I made sure Jean knew exactly what to do. Before the tour began, they even had complimentary anti- sea sickness pills, of which I ate one and stored 5 more.
So we get on the boat and its already really rocky. The boat is already swaying back and forth and we haven’t even left the dock. I saw a few people wearing those motion-sickness bands. I felt envious.
Alright here we go! The first 10–15min are a riot. The boat is going so fast, the waves are hitting us and we’re flying through the air.
Aaaaaaand thats when it hits me. And apparently another guy too. He starts vomiting like his life depended on it. Fantastic. I ask the tour guide for a bag just in case. I made Jean squeeze my wrist to mimic the motion sickness band. I have never breathed so deeply in my life trying to hold it all back.
Meanwhile Jean is talking football with the guide.
The guy behind us is just going at it. He’s pissed.
About 1 more hour of this.
But.
I did it.
Throughout the entire day, throughout all the different boat trips, I did not vomit once.
These are the details that you’re looking for. I just know it.
Right so first stop: Maya Bay. It was beautiful. You’re going to see a lot on Instagram about “Instagram vs Reality” when it comes to this place. The fact of the matter is, the bay is closed for most of the year to stimulate the shark population and natural growth. So of course that means its going to be touristy and crowded. It’s a popular location after all.
The bay was so clear. The water was so warm (but do not go swimming and do not go up till your knees — this is to protect the baby sharks do doo do doo).
You’ll notice a slight cringe in my face as I’m still recovering from nearly expelling the contents of my stomach.
After Maya Bay we swam a bit in a different bay and were on our way to see the monkeys. Apparently these monkeys have managed to teach themselves to properly swim and go from boat to boat stealing food. Yeah. That’s a hard pass from me.
We had lunch on one of the Phi Phi islands. It was at this point that the motion sickness turned into a tension headache (because why not?) so we napped on the beach. To be fair, there are worse places to nap.
But finally we’d be able to go snorkeling! We literally swam with the fishes. Or through I should say. These little guys refused to move. We saw star fish! And fish! And sea urchins! Oh my.
Our final stop was Bamboo island. I was wrecked at this point so it was a very calm visit. I knew what was coming next so I needed to mentally prepare.
On the boat back to Phuket, I must have looked like the Green Goblin because the guides told me to sit at the front of the boat in the fresh air. Meanwhile they were singing ‘ATP ATP ATP’ or whatever that song was.
I passed out at 8pm that night.
Day 12: Asia makes me bougie
Trying to recover from the day before, we made it a point to have a beach and pool day. I physically could not do more.
Well ok that’s a lie. I got really bored so I went on a beach run. I cannot actually ever sit still and constantly need to be entertaining myself.
Later that night I got my hair did. Because I am bougie and vain and all the adjectives.
I don’t know what it is about being in Asia, but it just brings out this side in me. I want to do my hair, my nails, get massages, get the iced lattes, drink all the coconuts. I’m bougie.
To say I thrive in Asia would be an understatement. We will be moving there as soon as we can.
Day 13: I’m not leaving.
On our last day in Thailand we got up stupidly early for no reason. So of course we’re both very well rested for our 50 hour journey back to Brussels.
Why 50 hours you ask? Because. Because I didn’t plan well enough (I KNOW) and we are traveling from Phuket to Bangkok to Singapore to Brussels whereas we could have flown Phuket to Singapore.
Alas. I have the occasional moment of not thinking. Clearly.
Anywho. We made it to the Phuket airport, spent a lovely 3 hours eating noodle soup with pork belly. And a donut.
No other airport in Europe can ever top this for me. I will live on noodle soup with pork belly. You can’t stop me. Will I continue to eat too fast? Absolutely. Will I regret it? Definitely. Is it worth it? Say no more.
Our flight to Bangkok is slightly delayed (read: 10min) which has given me immense anxiety. Could it be because I have no idea what kind of work situation I’m returning to and this is preemptive anxiety? Hard maybe.
But hey. It’s a warm -2 in Europe. How bad could it be.
(I died a little this morning putting on my leggings and sweatshirt to go to the airport).
Day 14: wtf Belgium
We landed in Singapore! Made a bee-line for our transit hotel which was just outside the airport and passed the f out at 2am.
Singapore will get its own post shortly. It deserves it. We spent a full 24 hours there.
Which then brings me to my final line: we landed in Belgium after 50+ to zero degrees, snow and darkness.
Then we properly arrived (read: got out of the airport), the sun was shining, the snow was glowing, and it all wasn’t that bad.
Thank you to Thailand, to Singapore for a wonderful holiday. We had a great time.
Lazy Persons Itinerary:
You have 2 weeks (14 days) in Thailand, this is what I would recommend:
Days 1–4: Bangkok. Take the time to acclimatize to the heat and humidity. It will kill. Make sure you visit Ayutthaya, the Grand Palace, Wat Arun. And do take the day trip to the Erawan Waterfalls. Go to the night markets, the street food vendors. Take it easy.
Days 5–9: Chang Mai. I can’t speak to Chang Mai as we didn’t venture there, but we’ve heard from many people how fantastic it is.
Days 10–14: Phuket or Krabi. I can’t speak to Krabi either, but again, we heard fantastic things about the place. I would highly recommend going south to enjoy the beaches and the islands. This wouldn’t be the Lazy Persons Guide without recommending days lounging at the pool, the beach or just generally taking it easy.
A few notes:
- I’ve been a bit generous with the days in each place, this is to account for the travel time
- Download Grab and Bolt. They’re incredibly inexpensive to travel with.
- If you’re traveling from one ‘far’ place to the next, use 12go.asia/en to book trains or vans
- AirAsia is a great airline
- Take cash! A lot of places do not accept foreign credit cards or they will require a percentage added on top
- Ice is fine. Tap water is not. Be safe.
- In December the mosquito’s were really alright, but do make sure you take heavy-duty bug repellent
- Food is much hotter chilli wise than you’ll have eaten before
- Esims are great and not expensive, 20 euros for unlimited data for 15 days
- Grab bikes are fun and super cheap but dont travel with a hat (not talking of own experience at all)
- Most people have a basic understanding of English but google translate is your friend
- A Thai massage is not a massage.
- If you need to feel something in your life go to Ciccada market in Hua Hin and buy get Pad Kra Pao
- The Burger King at the Singapore airport is dodgy (according to Jean)
