My first adventure in Thailand happened during an epic 40-day tour across Asia in 2019. I spent 18 unforgettable days there, from March 30th to April 17th.

Thailand was actually the first stop of the trip, starting in Bangkok, before I continued on to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and finally back to Italy.

The trip started with a bit of spontaneity. My friend Perla and I, while on exchange in Riga, were waiting for a flight to Oslo when we did something totally crazy. We booked a flight to Bangkok almost a year in advance just because it was very cheap. Little did we know that impulsive decision would lead to one of the most memorable adventures of our lives.

Day 0 – Saturday 30.03.2019

( night on the plane )

( With my friends in the airport MXP, me, Perla and Giada )

I am traveling to Thailand for 18 days with my friend Perla, who I met during my exchange in Riga, and her friend Giada from high school. We actually booked this flight almost a year ago while we were all together in Riga. At the time, we were traveling to Oslo for a weekend break and decided on a whim to plan this big adventure.

Our flight departs from Milan Malpensa at 13:05 with Air Italy, heading straight to Bangkok. We spent the entire day on the plane, mostly sleeping, eating, and watching movies to pass the time.

Day 1 – Sunday 31.03.2019

( Night at Prince Palace Hotel, Bangkok)

( Prince palace hotel, Bangkok)

We landed in Bangkok at 7:25 in the morning. After collecting our luggage, we got a SIM card at the airport and called Grab, which is like Uber in Southeast Asia, to take us to our hotel.

Once we checked in, we had a meal at the mall next to the hotel and then slept until around 4 in the afternoon. Later, we enjoyed a quick bath in the hotel swimming pool, went for a walk around our neighborhood, and had dinner at a street market before heading back to the hotel to sleep early.

Unfortunately, this turned out to be one of the worst days of the trip. We ran into problems at the ATM. Around noon, while walking through the streets before dinner, one ATM swallowed my card. It was almost dark, nobody was around to help, and I felt exhausted and frustrated. It was definitely not the ideal start to the trip.

Thankfully, my friends were incredibly supportive. They helped me borrow money, transfer funds, and even lend me another card for the following days in other countries. Their support made a huge difference and reminded me how lucky I was to have them on this adventure.

Day 2 – Monday 01.04.2019

( Night at Prince Palace hotel, Bangkok )

We woke up at 6:00 in the morning to watch the sunrise from our hotel, which was a beautiful way to start the day. For breakfast, we had noodles at the mall next to our hotel, just like the day before.

After breakfast, we ordered Grab to take us to the Grand Palace. At 500 baht, it is one of the most expensive temples in Bangkok, but it was absolutely worth it. The palace is stunning and easily one of the highlights of Thailand. Later, we stopped for lunch on the way to the Amulet Market, and then we walked to Wat Arun, another iconic temple that left us in awe. After exploring, we grabbed a ride back to the hotel to freshen up and relax for a bit in the pool before heading out for the evening.

For dinner, we returned to the little street market near our hotel, enjoying the local flavors just like the day before. Later, we went to Vertigo Sky Bar for sunset drinks. Unfortunately, the traffic made us miss the actual sunset, but the view from one of Bangkok’s best rooftop bars was still incredible, even if it was a bit pricey.

Our night continued with a walk through Patpong, the famous red-light district, and ended at DJ Station, a lively gay club. Entry was 300 baht, including two drinks, and there was a live show at 11:00 pm with trans performers. The club had amazing energy and really fun vibes. After an exciting night, we returned to the hotel to sleep, ready for another day of adventures.

Day 3 – Tuesday 02.04.2019

( Night at Prince Palace hotel, Bangkok )

( Wat Chaiwatthanaram temple )

We woke up at 8:00 in the morning and had breakfast at the usual spot next to our hotel. Around 11:00, we headed to the train station and caught a train to Ayutthaya. The fare was only 15 baht, which made it a very budget-friendly trip.

Once we arrived in Ayutthaya, we rented a tuk-tuk for three hours at 600 baht and spent the day exploring some of the city’s most famous temples. Our stops included:

• Wat Yai Chai Mongkol – a stunning temple with impressive chedis and peaceful surroundings

• Wat Phra Mahathat – famous for the Buddha head entwined in tree roots

• Wat Phra Si Sanphet – the three pagodas in perfect perspective

• Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit – a temple I thought would be closed, but it was open and magnificent

• Wat Lokayasutharam – home to a giant reclining Buddha

• Wat Chaiwatthanaram – a beautiful riverside temple with incredible architecture

After exploring all these amazing sites, we walked from the train station back to our hotel, grabbed some food on the way, and then relaxed back at the hotel to recharge for the next day.

Day 4 – Wednesday 03.04.2019

( Night at Panna Heritage, Chiang Mai )

( Floating market )

Our day started early with an alarm at 4:30 in the morning as we headed to the Floating Market. We caught bus number 78 from the southern bus stop, paying only 64 baht for a one-way ticket. Once we arrived, we took a one-hour tour by canoe. Since it was still too early, most of the market stalls were closed, so the canoe driver brought us back to the bus stop.

After that, we enjoyed breakfast and an early lunch, and then we returned to the market. By the time everything opened, the atmosphere was incredible, with lively stalls, fresh produce, and the energy of vendors setting up for the day. It was a fantastic experience and gave us a real taste of local life.

Around 11:00, we caught the bus back to our hotel and spent some time enjoying the pool one last time. Dinner was at the same mall next to the hotel before we headed to Don Muang Airport. We arrived at 4:30 pm, much earlier than necessary since our flight to Chiang Mai was at 8:25 pm. Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the worst flights of my life due to heavy turbulence.

Once we landed in Chiang Mai, we checked into our hotel and went straight to sleep, ready to start the next day of our adventure.

Day 5 – Thursday 04.04.2019

( Night at Panna Heritage, Chiang Mai )

We woke up at 7:30 in the morning and finally enjoyed a proper American breakfast at the hotel. After fueling up, we caught a red open-air “taxi” to visit some of Chiang Mai’s most famous temples. Our temple tour included Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Phra Singh, and Wat Chedi Luang. Each temple had its own unique charm, from the breathtaking views at Doi Suthep to the intricate architecture at Phra Singh.

After returning to the hotel, we took an afternoon nap to recharge. Later in the evening, around 8:00 pm, we headed to the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. While there, we grabbed some delicious food at Ploen Ruede and enjoyed a live performance by an international band, which added a fun and lively atmosphere to the night.

After exploring the bazaar, we returned to the hotel to rest and prepare for the next day of adventures.

Day 6 – Friday 05.04.2019

( Night at Nakaraj princess, Chiang Rai )

( Elephants jungle sanctuary, Chiang Mai )

We woke up at 5:30 in the morning and had breakfast at the hotel before boarding a bus that picked us up to visit the Elephants Jungle Sanctuary. We specifically chose this sanctuary because they do not allow riding the elephants. Instead, visitors can bathe and interact with the elephants in a safe and ethical way, ensuring the animals are never abused or used for entertainment. Spending time with these incredible animals was unforgettable and made for a very special morning.

After the visit, we returned to the hotel, collected our luggage, and headed to the bus station to continue our journey to Chiang Rai. Unfortunately, all the buses for the day were fully booked. Our only option was to share a tuk tuk with four other travelers, including some Brazilians and a Dutch couple. The ride was extremely uncomfortable and felt much longer than expected, but eventually we made it.

Once we arrived at our hotel in Chiang Rai, we were completely exhausted from the long and challenging journey, so we went straight to sleep to rest up for the next day of adventures.

Day 7 – Saturday 06.04.2019

( Night at Nakaraj princess, Chiang Rai )

We woke up at 7:00 in the morning and set out to explore the Golden Triangle with the help of our hotel receptionist. Part of the experience included a short canoe ride into Laos, which cost only 30 baht to enter, before returning to Thailand.

After returning to the hotel, we got ready for a temple tour. Our first stop was the Blue Temple, where we even had lunch right in front of its stunning architecture. Later, we visited the White Temple, another breathtaking and uniquely intricate temple that left us in awe.

Back at the hotel, Perla was feeling a bit under the weather, so it was just Giada and me who headed out. We wandered through the street market and stopped at a square for dinner, enjoying the usual Pad Thai and local beer. After a full day of sightseeing and exploring, we returned to the hotel to rest and prepare for the next day.

Day 8 – Sunday 07.04.2019

( Night at Eco Loft Hotel, Phuket )

( From the window of AirAsia )

We woke up at 9:00 in the morning and had breakfast together at the hotel. After that, we took Grab to the airport to catch our flight to Phuket at 1:40 pm with AirAsia.

The flight was about two hours, and once we arrived, we took a taxi to our hotel. After checking in, we went out for a simple lunch at a place near the hotel. Later in the afternoon, we enjoyed the sunset from the hotel, taking in the relaxing atmosphere. In the evening, we went for a walk along the main street, grabbed a smoothie, and then returned to the hotel to rest and get ready for the next day of our trip.

Day 9 – Monday 08.04.2019

( Night at Light Khao Lak, Khao Lak )

We woke up at 6:00 in the morning and had breakfast at the hotel. After that, we headed to Bus Terminal 2 to catch the 8:10 am bus to Khao Lak.

Once we arrived around 10:30, we took an open truck to the hotel. Since check-in was only at 2:00 pm, we decided to explore a bit and went to Bang Niang Beach, followed by a visit to Coconut Beach and White Beach.

Later, we watched the sunset before heading back to the hotel. We spent some time relaxing in the swimming pool and then went to sleep.

Day 10 – Tuesday 09.04.2019

( Night at Light Khao Lak, Khao Lak )

( Canoa tour at the James Bond Island)

We woke up at 6:00 in the morning and tried to organize a trip to the Similan Islands, but unfortunately we couldn’t go because the tours need to be booked at least one day in advance. Instead, we went to a tour agency next to our hotel and booked a tour to James Bond Island.

The tour company picked us up at the hotel at 8:00 am. We traveled by bus and then took a boat to James Bond Island. Once there, we enjoyed about 40 minutes of canoeing, followed by lunch, and later visited the waterfalls in Khao Lak National Park.

After returning to the hotel, we watched the sunset at Bang Niang Beach before heading back to rest and sleep, ready for the next day of adventures.

Day 11 – Wednesday 10.04.2019

( Night at Beach backpackers Phuket )

( Club Illuzion, Phuket )

Giada and I woke up at 5:30 in the morning and walked to Bang Niang Beach to watch the sunrise. After enjoying the peaceful morning, we had breakfast and spent some time swimming in the hotel pool. Around 10:30, we took a bus to Phuket.

We checked in at the Backpack Penang hostel. The place itself was not great, but the location was excellent. We spent the afternoon at the beach, relaxing and enjoying the sun until sunset. After returning to the hostel to shower and get ready, we grabbed some street food for dinner. Later, we experienced a lively night out, starting with a sexy show we stumbled upon after being approached on the street, followed by clubbing at Tiger Night Club and Iluzion.

Day 12 – Thursday 11.04.2019

( Night at Beehive Phuket old town hostel )

( Us at the Similan Islands )

( Sea star happy journey travel company)

We woke up at 5:30 in the morning to go on a full-day tour of the Similan Islands. The day was spent exploring the beautiful islands, enjoying the clear waters and stunning scenery.

After returning to the hostel, we relaxed a bit in the swimming pool and then went to sleep, resting after a long and exciting day.

Day 13 – Friday 12.04.2019

( Night at Phi Phi Maiyada, Phi Don )

( Phi Phi Island )

We woke up at 7:00 in the morning, and at 7:45 we were picked up from the hotel to head to the Phuket harbor for our trip to the Phi Phi Islands.

After arriving, we checked in at Maiyada Hotel and spent some time relaxing by the swimming pool. For lunch, we went to a small burger restaurant nearby. In the afternoon, Giada and I went canoeing to Monkey Beach while Perla stayed at the hotel feeling a bit sick.

Later, we returned to the hotel for drinks and tried to go out in the evening, but there wasn’t much happening, so we headed back to the hotel to sleep, ready for the next day of adventure.

Day 14 – Saturday 13.04.2019

( Night at Phi Phi Maiyada, Phi Don )

We woke up at 8:00 in the morning and had breakfast at the hotel buffet. After checking out, we headed from the hotel to the Arida speed boat to start our tour of the Phi Phi Islands.

The day was spent exploring the islands, enjoying the clear water and beautiful scenery. After the tour, we returned to the hotel and rested, taking some much-needed sleep after a full day of adventure.

Day 15 – Sunday 14.04.2019

( Night at Dang Derm, Bangkok )

We woke up at 8:00 in the morning and had breakfast at McDonald’s, taking a few photos around the island before heading to the beach. For lunch, we stopped at a bar right on the beach and enjoyed some local dishes while taking in the view.

At 2:00 pm, we took a boat back to Phuket and then headed to the airport. Our flight at 22:10 to Bangkok was with AirAsia. Once we arrived, we called an Uber to take us to the hotel, checked in, and went straight to sleep after a long but amazing day.

Day 16- Monday 15.04.2019

( Night at Dang Derm, Bangkok )

( Thiland new year )

We woke up at 8:30 in the morning and had breakfast before joining a pool party at the hotel. There was music, drinks, and a great atmosphere, making it the perfect start to the day. For lunch, we grabbed some food from the streets near the hotel.

In the evening, we celebrated New Year in the streets, enjoying the lively Thai vibes and the festive atmosphere. After returning to the hotel to shower and get ready, we headed to a sky bar to enjoy the night views, followed by another visit to DJ Station for more dancing and fun. After a long and exciting day, we finally returned to the hotel to sleep.

Day 17 – Tuesday 16.04.2019

( Night at Dang Derm, Bangkok )

We had a relaxed morning, enjoying breakfast and taking it easy at the hotel. For lunch, we stopped at a street food spot nearby.

At 4:00 pm, we headed to Chinatown and later took a boat tour, exploring the area from the water. Afterward, we walked around a street market, taking in the sights and sounds before returning to the hotel to rest and sleep.

Day 18 – Wednesday 17.04.2019

( Night in Penang, Malaysia )

We woke up at 8:30 in the morning and had our last breakfast together. Afterward, we spent some time by the pool taking pictures and relaxing. We prepared our things and checked out of the hotel at 11:00 am, but still managed to chill by the pool a little longer.

For lunch, we went together to Khao San Road, one of the main streets in Bangkok, just below our hotel. After lunch, my friends went to a massage center while I explored the souvenir shops nearby. Later, we all took Grab together to the airport.

This was one of the hardest moments of the trip. It was time to say goodbye to my friends were returning to Italy, and I was continuing my journey alone to Malaysia. My flight to Penang was at 19:30 with AirAsia, marking the next chapter of my adventure.