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This year I boldly went where few have been.
To Thailand, polite. And I have never had a more enriching travel experience.
While Australians in Thailand may conjure up questionable tattoos and the sight of torture on the scorched island of Chang, the tranquil environment and predominantly Buddhist influence make it an ideal destination to tap into the healthy travel trend. and tox.
So to mark the start of my 10 days in Thailand with an 8-hour direct flight from Melbourne via Jetstar to Phuket, I decided to forgo the traditional airport beer and a mock cocktail by the pool upon arrival.
Four of Thailand’s top-class resorts were central to making the challenge a success: Melia Phuket Mai Khao, Banyan Tree Krabi, Melia Chiang Mai and Banyan Tree Koh Samui. They all had their own unique twists to provide an all-encompassing experience without a hint of FOMO.
And while the hangars remain above sea level, thanks to the rich cuisine Thailand has to offer, they are prepared by world-class chefs at each resort.
Days 1 – 3 at Melia Phuket My Khao
A flawless Jetstar flight from Adelaide to Melbourne (1hr 20mins) then on to Phuket (8hrs 50mins) 6 Our group disembarked into the perfumed and humid tropical air. Instant stability from top to bottom. Having not traveled internationally since pre-pandemic, it was surreal in itself to be in another country, let alone a relief to escape the sting of winter back home.
Arriving late at the spacious oasis of Milia Resort, we were escorted to our room by the friendly staff; There we were quickly filled with healthy snacks before bed.
An indoor-outdoor shower, a private plunge pool, a large outdoor bathtub that makes me feel like I’m in an Herbal Essences ad, and a large, cloud-like bed round out the luxurious accommodations for the trip.
As we ventured into the warm monsoon rains, it was time for a breakfast of traditional Thai and Western food and coffee, including a trip to a local buffalo farm and a sand cruise, followed by crab on Mai Khao Beach.
Back at the resort, we were treated to a home cooked meal, sand crabs (not caught by us) for lunch, a Thai Boxing lesson on the beach with the multi-talented instructor Aum.
Eager to soak up as much of Melia’s wellness ethos as I could, it was off to the spa for a massage before dinner.
If you’ve never had a Thai massage, be prepared to put on some white pajamas before being twisted, pulled, and twisted like never before, and try not to spend the entire time laughing like I did.
Feeling soft and floppy after requesting my massage “extra hard”, dinner at Gaia Restaurant was followed by a sticky ginger mocktail (my favorite of the trip) and other amazing food.
The second day started with yoga with Aum before another delicious and healthy lunch at the main restaurant and a fitting farewell to the Melia team before heading to destination number two.
Days 3 – 6 in the Banyan Tree Krabi
If you’ve never traveled to Thailand, Krabi should be at the top of your list of destinations. The beautiful coastal town of Andaman itself is like stepping into a postcard, and the Banyan Tree Resort is inspired by Thai mythology and its views of the surrounding islands in the mirror-like ocean are nothing short of spectacular.
Here, my room was complete with a private infinity pool and an uninterrupted sea view from the marshmallow king bed. We all know sleep is infinitely better without alcohol, but sound sleep in these rooms? Life changing.
After a dip in the infinity pool, it was the beach bar for a virgin mojito at sunset. A dinner set in a private room at the resort’s sophisticated Naga kitchen, the multi-course Western-style extravaganza was a treat.
After eight hours of snuggling in my marshmallow bed, I wake up early to stroll the beach with the monitor lizards and the rising sun, then happily hit the new buffet for breakfast.
This morning, we were taken by longboat to Hong Island, ascending several flights of high peaks that offered unclimbable panoramic views of the still ocean, treetops and clear, dusty sand.
Around the bend in a nearby lagoon, diving straight off the boat and floating under the limestone cliffs was a highlight (but beware of lurking jellyfish!).
Tip: It’s a good idea to go on a day trip to the limestone islands off Krabi in advance. The area is often full of tourists looking for the perfect shot for the Instagram grid, causing long boat traffic jams.
With windswept hair, sandy feet and salty skin, we headed back to the resort, fresh coconuts and pineapples in hand to prepare for the next task: another massage. A difficult life.
A traditional Thai dinner on the resort’s pristine sandy beach ended the day, followed by an unforgettable adventure mud bathing elephants at a nearby rescue the next day.
Aonang Elephant Sanctuary, home to only four elephants rescued by its passionate operators, is a must-do for kids if you’re visiting Krabi.
Committed to nurturing and caring for these gentle giants, there’s no controversial elephant-back riding here. Instead, you bathe the magnificent creatures in mud and water, watched over by their mahout – a 24-hour trainer and caretaker assigned to forge an unbreakable bond with each of them.
A truly humbling experience and a wonderful organization.
Back at the Banyan Tree, we spent the afternoon lazing by the pool, followed by an amazingly retro water aerobics class with a super fit buddy.
From the plush bags to the pool, to the daily incense to burn in your room, the attention to detail is amazing at this resort.
I inadvertently synced my phone’s alarm with the Bluetooth system, which was a pleasant surprise when I woke up to soft music coming from the bedside clock instead of my iPhone flashing. (I was sure I had a ghost the first time this happened, but I realized that the banyan tree was completely list-free).
Day 6 – 8 at Melia Chiang Mai
Picking up the pace up the coast, the next stop was a city break in Chiang Mai, Bangkok’s less chaotic little sister.
As the largest religion in Thailand, Buddhism is practiced by 93 percent of the population, and Chiang Mai is a major spiritual center. While there’s plenty of great shopping, incredible food and a bustling bar scene, there’s an ethereal air to Chiang Mai from the streets you share with practicing monks every morning.
Take a trip to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (about 40 minutes from the city) for your temple maintenance, the rich history of the beautiful Golden Temple and its importance to the area. If you’re open to an immersive tour, you can be blessed by monks who tie a string to your wrist for luck, and donate an ancient prophecy.
My angel number 13 translates to: “This is a lucky number, the person who gets this number will be rich and full of wealth, honor and success. By asking about illness, he was already cured of it. And the baby inside is a boy.”
(I’m definitely not expecting a baby, but hitting the breakfast buffet every day with gusto made the gender of my food baby even funnier.
For a little levity, an after-dinner drink (water) is a fun way to end the night at one of the city’s drag bars. Even without alcohol, it’s impossible not to mingle with travelers and friendly locals at one of these bars. Like any drag, the queen’s costumes, makeup and spirited routine will leave you in awe and smiling from ear to ear.
For me, the real highlight of Chiang Mai was the food.
On a tour of the region’s best eateries, you’ll find Khao Soi, a $1 laksa-style chicken in soup that will knock your socks off, spicy fried river fish and a variety of pork and chicken curds cooked in small, obscure local restaurants. .
Days 8 – 10 in Koh Samui
This is where my transition from eternally busy journo travel to dragon-out resort hog was complete.
Nestled in the mountains of Lamai Beach, Banyan Tree Koh Samui may be the most beautiful abode I’ve ever spent in my entire life.
A huge private villa was my home for the next two nights, boasting direct views from the pool to the quiet sandy beach through the leafy canopy of the many trees on the green fields.
There’s a reason Banyan Tree Koh Samui is considered one of Thailand’s best resorts, and during this trip, it’s safe to say my Instagram followers were sick of more than just Thailand spam.
Besides being stunningly beautiful, it’s the perfect retreat for the discerning traveler.
Health and wellness are key to Banyan Tree, with each station designed to help guests achieve clarity and balance during their stay. The resort enlisted a host of experts to offer classes on mindfulness and a variety of activity options to keep your body moving between lazy days by the pool.
One particularly luxurious and unusual feature of this resort is the hydrotherapy rainforest, designed to induce a sense of calm through various water techniques as the user moves through the levels. From dripping “rain” to a plunge pool, steam room and a pool with a variety of jets, you’ll feel a little respite from all the hustle and bustle.
I found the pool jets so funny that it (again) drove me into a stupor, so I must apologize for disturbing the peace of my fellow travelers.
Pilates, yoga, sleep meditation and breathing exercise classes interspersed with delicious food, ocean dips and sunbathing complete a truly magical introduction to Thailand in my special mini-paradise.
Even though it was an action-packed 10 days of touring, exercise and borderline eating, I still left feeling more relaxed (and a little rounder) than any holiday, and I’m sure that’s because the booze was taken out of the equation.
Without the wine and cocktails, I slept sounder than usual, and my hangover-free awakening gave me the energy to partake in every activity on offer, plus I had time to squeeze more sightseeing into the day.
So if you’ve ever wondered if getting sober is worth it, if it’s really possible, it definitely is, and I can’t recommend it enough.
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