Travel: Thailand & Cambodia
Thailand and Cambodia had been on our list for years, so back in 2015 for our 5-year anniversary we finally went all in — one full month exploring the major highlights: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Koh Lanta, and Khao Lak, with a short detour into Cambodia to see Siem Reap. It was, without a doubt, one of the best trips of our lives.
Bangkok
Bangkok surprised us. We expected it to be a quick layover-style stop before heading north, but we ended up loving it way more than expected. We stayed right along the river, an easy walk to the Grand Palace and the buzz of Kao San Road. We also spent a morning happily lost in the Chatuchak Weekend Market, reportedly the largest outdoor market in the world, and it did not disappoint. The street food alone made Bangkok worth the trip — incredible flavors everywhere, for next to nothing.
Chiang Mai
From Bangkok we headed to Chiang Mai, where the highlight of the entire trip happened: an overnight stay at Elephant Nature Park, a genuine rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary for Asian elephants. Feeding them, bathing them, just being near these massive, gentle animals — it’s hard to put into words. It’s one of the most amazing animal experiences either of us has ever had.
We also based ourselves for a few days in Hang Dong, a tiny town just south of Chiang Mai, in the cutest little Airbnb. Our favorite day there was completely unplanned: we rented bikes and spent the day riding around the area, stumbling on an old quarry locals call the ‘Grand Canyon,’ and eventually ending up at a local family’s home, where they cooked us one of the best meals of the whole trip. None of us spoke the same language — we communicated entirely through pictures, gestures, and smiles, and it’s still one of our favorite memories from anywhere we’ve traveled.
Krabi, Koh Lanta & Khao Lak
The last stretch of Thailand was all about the water. The scattering of small islands just offshore gave everything an exotic, postcard feel. We hired a longtail boat straight off the beach, kayaked through mangrove forests, rented a scooter to explore the local national parks, and booked a snorkel charter out to the famous Emerald Cave on Koh Mook. We closed things out with five glorious beach days in Khao Lak, including a full-day boat trip snorkeling around Mu Ko Surin Islands National Park, with a lunch stop on a small island — where I found the biggest cat’s eye seashell I’ve ever seen.
Cambodia: Siem Reap
Before flying home, we snuck in a quick three-day stop in Siem Reap, Cambodia. This was to check off another bucket list item: visit Angkor Wat and (bonus) explore an entirely floating water village - long tail boat access only! Incredible to see the jungle ruins still standing thousands of years later. And the monkeys everywhere added to the excitement - but watch out! They will steal your purse, bag or anything you set down on the ground. Even as a short add-on, it completely earned its place on the trip.
A full month away, and it still wasn’t enough. Thailand is genuinely special — some of the kindest people we’ve met, food that’s impossible to stop thinking about, scenery that stops you in your tracks & memories we still talk about years later.
