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Thailand – what is there not to love about it. The people are friendly, the food is great, there are white sandy beaches and clear blue water everywhere, the temperature is always in the late 20’s and it can all be enjoyed on a budget! I remember a fried rice for dinner would cost $US1!

I first visited in 1986 with my mate BK from NZ. We arrived travelling overland from Singapore and hit the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. What a great city – noise, fumes, cars, motorbikes in all directions. Street vendors everywhere selling yummy thai food, fake clothing labels. I scored a few Lacoste shirts – they didn’t last that long and shrank in the wash – but what do you expect.

We loved it all and it was really where I fell in love with South East Asia.

Some great places we visited in Thailand

1986

We had a chuckle as we entered the border from Malaysia

We went out to Koh Samui Island which in 1986 was idyllic. – I hope it still is?

The white sand and warm seas in Thailand

Great place we stayed at in Koh Samui in 86.

Life on the Mekong River in Bangkok

We bussed up to Chang Mai and Chang Rai – and visited a Lamu village close to the Northern border in the infamous golden triangle. This was one of the absolute highlights of my first trip to Thailand.

Grinding the corn

Life was simple and everyone pitched in

1989

Helle and I travelled back through Thailand as one of our last stops before heading back to NZ to start “normal” life – ie getting a job, buying a house and starting a family!

Koh Phi Phi – Paradise

Home for a week

When we travel we love just seeing how the locals live and go about their daily lives. The attraction of South East Asia is that life is very different from how we know it back home in NZ.

Travelling in different countries is about absorbing and witnessing their culture and daily lives. Yes sitting on a beach, swimming, drinking the local brew with fellow travellers, exchanging war stories, and eating the local food is great too. However we just love to wander, cycle or take the local transport.

Buzzing around on a Tuk Tuk in Bangkok

Hiring a scooter is a great way to explore

Thai life is fascinating

Markets are everywhere

Dusty Work

Back streets of Bangkok

Great spot for a kip on the Mekong

We love visiting local markets

Kanchanaburi War Cemetery – 6,982 graves of British, Australian and Dutch prisoners of war – very sobering memory.

The famous Bridge over the River Kwai

There is no shortage of finding Buddha and Temples

Thais are lovely – young and old

The stunning Orchids of Thailand

Thailand is just a wonderful place – if you love chaos and a vibrant life in the big cities, heat, temples, thai food, lovely people, beautiful beaches and clear water , different cultures and a cheap holiday – visit Thailand.

We have been there three times – we even got married in Bangkok!! And we are still married 35 years later and ready to travel again.

Thai Registry Office – signing our life away in 1989

Celebratory dinner – the only time I put long trousers on

Honeymooning on the Mekong

Plenty of time to hit the beach

What more can I say about Thailand – beautiful people and beautiful country!