THAILAND

Thailand is a very easy and fun trip you can do with friends, family, or on your own. It's versatile in the way that you can spend your days relaxing on the beach, go shopping all day and partying all night, emerge yourself in the culture, and go on adventures if the forest or do some awesome water sports. I have been to Thailand multiple times, sporting my wonderful parents as my travel partners. We have traveled to Bangkok and Phuket, two very different versions of beautiful Thailand.

Currency = BAHT
100BAHT = $3.50AUD

Useful Thai Phrases:

Hello = Sawa dee
Thank you (man says) = Kob Khun Krap
Thank you (woman says) = Kob Khun Ka
Yes = Chai
No = Mai Chai
Airport = Sanaam Bin
Bathroom = Hong Naam
Thank you (man says) = Kob Khun Krap
Thank you (woman says) = Kob Khun Ka
Yes = Chai
No = Mai Chai
Airport = Sanaam Bin
Bathroom = Hong Naam

TRAVEL: In Bangkok, we got an underground train pass 60BAHT ($2) per person for a full day multi use, or you could get a deal for multiple days for even cheaper, this was fast and the train came every 15mins. We found it quite easy to navigate where we needed to go. We also used a taxi, and you can usually bargain down to a good price for full day use (so they drive you everywhere you want to go, and they usually go get a coffee or read while you do your activity/sightseeing. In Phuket/ the quieter areas or Thailand, we always go by Tuk Tuk. With Tuk Tuk's they usually have set, cheap prices from city to beach/ vice versa, but no harm in asking for a better price!

Tuk Tuk's in Phuket

Things you can do anywhere in Thailand...
If you have a special occasion coming up... or just want to spoil yourself, they have great Dress making shops; for anything from a suit, bridal, cocktail, or formal dresses for amazing prices.
Get A Massage!! They are super cheap, and actually very good! Sometimes their pressure may be a bit TOO HARD... but try your best to ask for lighter pressure.  Any beauty related service, like manicures and pedicures are great value for money too! I tried the Fish Spa, which was a very weird experience, didn’t notice too much of a difference, but was very different too try!

Fish Spa 

BANGKOK

Bangkok is a big city, but within it there is still a lot of Culture, I defiantly enjoyed going to all the temples and learning about the history about each part of Bangkok, and then going to some of the districts and experiencing them for myself. Honestly, there are so many temples, etc. in Bangkok; I would honestly suggest finding a taxi and asking them to take you to the ‘best ones’.

I found the best markets/shopping tend to be on the weekend, and again by asking your taxi driver or hotel concierge they are always happy to point you in the right direction. In Thailand, like most Asian countries encourage bartering and haggling the prices of the item/s you wish to buy. At first it may seem daunting, but by the end of the trip you'll be a pro!


About 1.5hours out of the city of Bangkok you will find, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi. We went on a small wooden boat, and not only experiencing the market we got to see some beautiful greenery, farming and living areas. The markets were wonderful, we tried our hand at ordering some foods, and watching it all get made right next to you on another boat was just incredible! And yes, all the food tasted fantastic as well.

PHUKET 

Phuket is not as big as Bangkok, but still has everything you need to have an amazing, versatile holiday. For me I would say the heart of Phuket is Bangla Road, which if you type into Google, will soon realise it is Party and Nightclub central. It is a great location though as it puts you less than 5 minute walk from beautiful Patong Beach, and some great markets among the beach side road. 

To really get into the Thailand Culture I would highly suggests seeing the Spectacular Simon Cabaret Phuket http://www.phuket-simoncabaret.com/  which is about 700BAHT ($24) per person and Fantasea Phuket http://www.phuket-fantasea.com/index.php which is a show and a buffet (buffet is optional... but I defiantly recommend it). Show + Buffet Dinner 2,200BAHT ($75) per person and ONLY Show 1,800BAHT ($60) per person

Simone Cabaret and Fantasea are both very different, but both I believe really capture the Thai culture, and were definite highlights of this trip. If you are going as a family with kids under the age of 16 I would defiantly suggestion Fantasea as there's a whole carnival and game setup like a miniature theme park out the front so they will defiantly enjoy it more. 

Bangla Road, Patong Beach

Animals are quite popular in Thailand, in Bangla Road you will get the chance to touch and get photos with all sorts of weird monkeys and lizards. In the paragraph below, when we were island hoping, we went to 'Monkey Island', and got to feed and pat the monkeys which were fun for the most part. Also Thai Elephants are very popular; they are used in a lot of show, and also for riding. Again, ask at any hotel or tour desk for an elephant tour, etc. The one we did included a cashew nut factory and honey factory tour too, which were both very enlightening. Thai elephants are one of the smaller species of elephant I have ever seen, very cute and kind in nature; we got to feed them and then go for a ride through the forest.

Sunset at Patong Beach, Phuket

James Bond Island

The beaches here are absolutely phenomenal, so any water sport/ activity is a must. I did a ‘James Bond Island’ Speed Boat tour, again, you can find and book one of these anywhere, go for a walk down the street and you will find a Tour Desk / Shop on average they go for about 1,500BAHT ($50) per person, depending on what you want to do, there are longer, more in-depth ones or even a few cheaper ones, but defiantly recommend any around that price as you get to see a lot of amazing things.

- Danie J

Nuts For Coconuts

Along with many other people in the world, I am Nuts for Coconuts, and just recently Coconut Oil. I have heard a little bit about Coconut oil here and there, but it wasn’t till my latest trip to Thailand when we purchased some from a coconut farm that I really fell in love and saw for me all the benefits. Coconut oil has A LOT of benefits… type into google and a whole bunch of stuff pops up. But I’m going to give you my top First hand tips and tricks that I do religiously now. I have used two types of coconut oil; The first 'Slow Coconut' (that was the only thing in English on the whole bottle) from a Coconut farm near Bangkok Thailand. The second 'All Natural LOUANA Pure Coconut Oil' from Walmart, so far i have had no issues with either.

Hair Mask; so every 2 – 3 weeks (once a month even) before you wash your hair (couple day old hair) apply the coconut oil generously all through your hair avoiding the roots. Leave on for 30mins or so and rinse out, shampoo and condition.BENEFITS – The coconut oil will add back any extra moisture needed in your hair and leave it feeling silky smooth.

Heavy Hair Treatment; once a month. Same as above, but do not wash coconut oil out, tie in a bun or braid and pin your hair up and sleep with it all night. I change my pillow change to an old on just in case the oil stains. Next morning shampoo and condition.
BENEFITS – The coconut oil will add back any extra moisture needed in your hair, helping with any dryness, damage, breakage and in the long term making your hair a lot stronger, healthier and smoother.

Coconut Oil from WALMART

Makeup Remover; this is amazing guys, so please try it and let me know what you think! Grab a small amount of coconut oil and start massaging onto your face with makeup, mascara, everything. No water needed, the oil will lift everything straight off including waterproof mascara. Then wet and wash regularly with face wash.
BENEFITS – The coconut oil helps balance out you skins natural PH levels, this is great for all skin types (I have oily skin and love this). It also helps strengthen and add moisture and volume back to your eyelashes.

Night Time Face Cream; Apply a small amount of coconut oil over a freshly cleansed face instead of face cream. I wake up feeling so soft and hydrated I really love this, but I personally don’t like the feeling on initially putting it on and sleeping with it so I usually do this once every 1-2weeks as an intensive treatment.
BENEFITS – The coconut oil is really going to help with any dryness by adding back in that moisture. For oily skin it will help by balancing out your skins oil PH levels.

Slow Coconut From Thailand Coconut Farm

EAT IT; I add one heaped teaspoon to my smoothie every morning. Also when cooking on a medium to low heat I use coconut oil as my preferred cooking oil.
BENEFITS – coconut oil is a good oil, it actually helps to burn fat as it has medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) which can increase energy expenditure throughout your day  compared to the same amount of calories from longer chain fats (aka chocolate and sugar.) One study found that 15-30 grams of MCTs per day increased 24 hour energy expenditure by 5%, totalling about 120 calories per day.

- Danie J

Banana Buckwheat Pancakes

What's better then pancakes? ANTI-AGING Pancakes! haha, well kind of... but don't go rubbing these on your face now! Healthy, and rich with vital minerals to make you skin glow from the inside out. This recipe swaps white flour for mineral rich buckwheat flour and because the banana adds it's own sweetness the maple syrup is OPTIONAL! But if you can make sure you keep those delicious Walnuts in for an extra Crunch and extra anti-aging omega-3!

Serves 2-4

1 cup/240ml Unsweetened Almond Milk

4 tsp White Vinegar

1 cup/115g Buckwheat Flour

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1/4 tsp Baking Soda

1 1/2 tbsp Organic Butter or Coconut Oil Melted (extra needed for frying)

1 Egg

1 Ripe Medium Banana

1/4 cup/25g Raw Walnut Halves, Finely Chopped (optional)

2 tbsp Pure Maple Syrup (optional)

Combine the almond milk and vinegar in a mug and set aside for 5 minutes. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and walnuts. In another medium bowl, mash the banana with a fork. Mix in the maple syrup, melted butter/coconut oil, egg, and almond milk mixture. Por the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir briefly to incorporate. Heat a greased frying pan to medium heat. Pour sections of pancake mixture into pan and cook as desired. Serve warm.

ENJOY!

- Danie J