Trip of a Lifetime
On Sunday night, I returned home from the trip of a lifetime: Almost 3 weeks traveling around Thailand and Bali with 2 of my best friends. We saw so many beautiful places, made new friends, ate amazing food, got lost on several occasions, risked our lives driving mopeds on the wrong side of the road, hung out with elephants, and made memories that will last a lifetime.
I feel so incredibly blessed that I had the opportunity to go on this trip. I'm feeling refreshed and excited to make 2019 the best year ever! Check out some of my highlights from the trip below!
BANGKOK, THAILAND
We started our adventure in Bangkok, the #1 most visited city in the world. We spent 2 nights right on Khao San Road, a bustling street with night markets, $10 Thai Massages, and countless street vendors.
While in Bangkok, we had to visit the beautiful temples. We spent a day exploring the Grand Palace, going on a river boat ride, and getting a small preview of the massive city.
PHI PHI ISLANDS, THAILAND
From Bangkok, we took a flight to Phuket, and then a 3-hour ferry to the Phi Phi Islands (or Koh Phi Phi). The Islands off the coast of Thailand are easily one of the most beautiful places I've been. White sand beaches, crystal clear water, and long-tail boats everywhere you look.
We rang in the new year on Koh Phi Phi with a boat cruise around the island. We got to hang out with monkeys, float in the ocean, and watch one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. It was one of my favorite days of the trip.
CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
From the Phi Phi Islands, we took a ferry back to Phuket, and then flew to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. Chiang Mai was a really cool city! We got to visit an Elephant Sanctuary and spend the morning petting, hugging, feeding, and bathing the elephants. It was a surreal experience!
While in Chiang Mai, we took a 6-course Thai Cooking Class with 2 new friends we met who just so happened to live in the EXACT SAME HOUSE as us back in college! It's a small world!
CANGGU, BALI
We flew from Chiang Mai to Bali, and I immediately fell in love. We rented mopeds and explored the island. Bali is easily one of my favorite places I've ever been. I could 100% see myself living there.
The Sunsets in Bali were breathtaking. Every night around 6 PM, we would ride our mopeds to the beach to catch the sunset. I don't think I've ever felt so relaxed in my life!
Every restaurant and cafe in Bali was beautiful. Healthy eating can be difficult while traveling, but you can find delicious healthy food for extremely reasonable prices at pretty much every restaurant in Bali. I ate a smoothie bowl every single day. I couldn't get enough!
UBUD, BALI
Toward the end of our time in Bali, we took a tour around the island and saw tons of beautiful sites. I had always wanted to visit the rice fields in Bali, and my dream came true when I got to swing over them! It was magical.
Another stop on our tour was Pura Lempuyang, also known as Heaven's Gate. There was a breathtaking view of the mountain. It was impossible to look away!
Other stops on the day-tour included a beautiful waterfall, lunch at a cool restaurant overlooking the rice fields, and coffee at a Kopi Luwak plantation. It was an action-packed day and a great way to end our trip!
