Thailand Shot by You Sweepstakes Winner Interview

Our Thailand Shot by You Sweepstakes winners, Cara and Steph Bono are right here to dish out all of the highlights from their time in Thailand, after taking part within the basic Thailand on a Shoestring Tour and absorbing all that Thailand has to supply.

1. What was your itinerary like, and what locations did you hit up?

We went on the Thailand on a Shoestring tour with STA journey beginning in Bangkok and ending in Koh Tao. Through the 15 days of this journey, we’ve been in a position to expertise a style of all the very best highlights of Thailand. Our first few days have been spent exploring the energetic streets of Bangkok, having fun with unimaginable road meals, visiting attractive temples, and experiencing the colourful nightlife.

Our subsequent cease was Chang Mai, which has a way more relaxed really feel than Thailand’s capital. We spent two days visiting the temples Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang and hiked the monks path as much as Wat Pha Lat hidden within the jungle. The evenings right here have been spent tasting native dishes on the road meals markets, wandering the night time bazaars and partying at Chang Mai’s bar hub.

Subsequent on the itinerary was our jungle treks north of Chang Mai the place we stayed at homestays within the hill tribes. This was one of many coolest and most unusual experiences of our travels up to now. We took cooking courses, realized easy methods to weave bamboo baskets, hung out with locals within the village, and spent the evenings sharing wonderful meals and watching the night time sky. We left the villages by bamboo raft and had a three-hour expedition flowing via the jungle. That afternoon we headed all the way down to Khao Sok Nationwide Park and had a day of swimming and boating round some attractive landscapes.

Subsequent, we hit the islands, we stayed two nights at an superior social gathering hostel on Koh Pangan, spending our days enjoyable in hammocks and having fun with the attractive seashores. Lastly, we landed in Koh Tao, a a lot smaller island with a extra native and relaxed vibe. It’s additionally recognized to be among the best marine areas in all of Thailand, which is why we spent the vast majority of our time right here exploring the colourful underwater world surrounding the coast.

2. What have you ever discovered is the very best factor in regards to the tradition in Thailand?

Our favourite trait of Thai tradition must be how pleasant and open the individuals are. Wherever you go there might be loads of individuals going out of their means that will help you they usually all the time make an effort to speak in a means you’ll perceive. We additionally love how the Buddhist faith is entwined with the Thai individuals’s entire life-style. They exude a deeper understanding and appreciation of the easy issues in life and everyone seems to be extraordinarily respectful. And being referred to as the “Land of Smiles” it’s true that their smiles are contagious.

3. What was one thing completely surprising that you just noticed/skilled in Thailand?

One factor that I didn’t count on about Thailand is how a lot the individuals right here imagine in magic. Inside companies and plenty of tuk tuks they’ve embroidered protecting yantra patterns positioned excessive on the partitions or on the roof to maintain them protected from driving accidents and to guard their place of firm from unfavourable energies. Many Thai individuals additionally strongly imagine within the magic of Sak Yant tattoos and use them to maintain protected, wholesome and to assist them in reaching their life objectives.

4. What was your favourite place to see, and seize content material from?

Our favourite place to see on this journey must be Koh Tao. The island was gorgeous and it had nice power. We spent a lot of the day capturing underwater images of all of the coral reefs and marine life after which would make it again simply in time to catch the colourful sunsets over the water. Koh Tao was defiantly the very best snorkel expertise we’ve had thus far. The water was glowing clear and there have been so many colleges of gorgeous fish.

We by no means get uninterested in photographing and capturing content material from Bangkok! The quantity of distinctive locations you’ll be able to enterprise to is countless. From road images within the native markets, alleyways of Chinatown to extravagant golden temples, we might by no means become bored with exploring this metropolis. At night time town glows with life. Evening images right here is simply as thrilling because the nightlife.

5. Any suggestions for future vacationers going to Thailand

Right here’s our prime suggestions for future vacationers about to expertise their first journey to Thailand:
Pack very light-weight garments because it will get very humid and sizzling, and ensure to have a couple of light-weight pants and cover-ups for visiting temples.
Pack bug spray & coral reef protected sunscreen • After spending an evening experiencing Koh San Street, enterprise out to the various different lovely bars Bangkok has to supply. Our favourite was the Iron Fairies.
At all times discount, as a foreigner many individuals double or triple their costs, discount your means all the way down to half.
Purchase a sim card, it would make your travels run a complete lot smoother.
The costs in Northern Thailand are less expensive than the southern Islands. Should you’d like to buy, attempt to do most of it in Chaing Mai.
At all times have money on you as most locations don’t take card.
Be a accountable and moral customer, don’t journey the elephants or give your cash to any vacationer attraction that treats animals badly.
Don’t be afraid to stroll locations fairly than all the time taking tuk tuks. You’ll come throughout much more off the crushed path and fascinating locations.

6. Describe Thailand in a single phrase, or a brief phrase.

It spices up your senses.

In search of extra? Be sure to verify the Bono twins out on Instagram, @thebonotwins, and maintain your eyes pealed on our Sweepstakes web page to your likelihood to win an epic journey journey!

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