Travel :: To Thailand We Go!

Well hello there!  I hope you all had a great weekend :) Our trip to The Greenbrier was beyond perfect...I can't wait to go through my pictures and start posting about our experience!

In other news, last week we officially booked our flights and hotels for Thailand!  To say I am excited is an understatement.  Because of monsoon season, we will be going from the end of February through the middle of March 2015.  That gives me lots of time to plan, plan, plan {and to shop!}  Here is our itinerary:

Bangkok (4 nights): We will be flying into Bangkok and spending four nights there.  Initially we wanted to stay at this boutique hotel {how amazing is the decor?!}, but sadly it has already been sold out.  We are instead thinking about The Four Seasons, Shangri-La, or the Hotel Muse.  In Bangkok I definitely want to see temples, go shopping, and visit the floating market.  We will be taking a day trip to Kanchanaburi to visit Erawan Falls and Elephant's World, a refuge for abused elephants whose motto is "we work for the elephants, not the elephants working for us."  I think we will also head to Ayutthaya for a day to check out the ruins.

Koh Phangan (5 nights): Words cannot express how excited I am to be spending five days at the Santhiya Resort & Spa.  We will have a sea view villa with our own private infinity pool and plunge tub.  The reviews are fantastic and it looks SO romantic!  I'm really happy that we will be able to walk to the neighboring town for cheap dinners and massages on the beach, but will definitely be splurging for a spa treatment at the hotel because it just looks so darn nice!  Ryan is planning on getting scuba-certified, so we will be taking a day trip to go scuba diving {either at Sail Rock or Kao Tao} and another to explore the stunning Angthong National Marine Park.

Ko Lanta (4 nights): We will be staying at the Pimalai Resort & Spa and are really looking forward to exploring the island.  I know a lot of people rent scooters but since neither of us have ever drove one before we will probably just end up renting a car through our hotel.  We will be taking a sunset snorkeling trip and will be spending some time island hopping.  I'm also thinking about taking a cooking class here.

Krabi (3 nights): We will be staying at the Amari Vogue Hotel and taking day trips snorkel and explore both Hong Island and the Phi Phi Islands.  We really wanted to stay on Railay or Ao Nang but couldn't justify the cost of the Rayavadee so we will just have to hire a longtail boat to take us there for the day!

My one regret is that we won't be able to visit Chiang Mai.  Initially we wanted to go during the famous Lantern Festival, Loi Krathong, but quickly found out that November is monsoon season in the Gulf of Thailand.  Unfortunately the time of year we are visiting, which is supposed to be the best weather on the islands, is during Chiang Mai's 'burning season'.  This season is categorized by intense heat, pollution, and smog created by farmers slashing and burning their rice fields.  At best, the weather is hot and hazy.  At worst, visibility is reduced to less than 50 yards, people walk around with face masks, and many are sent to the hospital with respiratory problems.  While I would love to spend time in Northern Thailand, which many call the cultural epicenter of the country, I know that I would be overcome with anxiety during the weeks prior to our trip, obsessively reading weather reports on a daily basis.  That compounded with my extremely sensitive sinuses made us decide that to truly enjoy Chiang Mai for all it is worth we will just have to go back on another trip {during Loi Krathong!}

So, do you have any recommendations?  Our hotels are already booked everywhere but Bangkok, so if you have a favorite there then let me know!  What about things to do in Bangkok?  Should we go to Ayutthaya {essentially meaning we only have 1 full day to explore the city}?  Must-see islands off of Krabi and/or Ko Lanta?  A favorite restaurant or food?  What about the best way to beat the insane jet-lag I'm sure we will be facing?  If you have been to Bangkok, Krabi, Koh Phangan, or Ko Lanta I'd love to know what your favorite parts were!!

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