HAPPY DAY 9 // WANDERING THE STREETS OF BANGKOK

I loved today. The past 24 hours have seen me hop from one hotel to another, and explore the high-energy streets of Bangkok in between. I believe there’s no better way to see this city than by foot. There’s so much going on, any other mode of transport moves too quickly to take the layers, stories and thrills in.

Before hitting the pavement and having all of my senses assaulted, I enjoyed a quick “holiday from my holiday”. Staying at Sathorn Grace was a welcome change from camping in Colonel Mustard. The rooftop pool was heaven – I bathed, baked and let my brain drift amongst the digital pages of a Grisham novel. It was my perfect escape.

Next, it was time to get lost in the urban jungle. I was free to roam the streets of Sathorn at my leisure and take pictures along the way. The chaos, grit and grime were mesmerising and strangely beautiful. I think I’d be happy living here for many years. My mind would thrive amongst the relentless stimulus. From the endless street food strips to the people living on the street, there’s so much to try and understand. It’s bloody fascinating!

Once the afternoon arrived, it was time to catch up with two beautiful strangers: Richard and Dennis. These design gurus founded the custom motorcycle brand “Half Caste Creations”. Needless to say, their bikes have made it on to my inspiration board. Fingers crossed that Law of Attraction stuff works. I need one of these babies in my life! If Steve Jobs had gone into motorcycles, he’d have put Richard and Dennis on his design team. The 90-minute, 10km journey to meet them was totally worthy the angst.

Finally, it was time live in the lap of luxury at the Shangri-La Hotel. Yeeeeooooow! The moment I walked under its crystal chandeliers, past the perfectly dressed staff, through to the regal reception desk, I knew my time here was going to be memorable. The staff welcomed Ben and me with traditional Thai wreaths. They were meticulously handcrafted so we could put them on our pillows and let the gentle aromas help us drift off to sleep. And, now it’s time to put them to the test. Somehow, I think I’m going to find my perfect pillow!

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Getting Pampered, Poked and Prodded in Thailand

I can confidently say I’ve never been to a tourist destination where holiday goers seem more relaxed than in Thailand. Beyond the idyllic settings and laid-back local attitude, the comparative affordability of everything seems to help people truly unwind. In Thailand, you can be completely self-indulgent with money and time – the two things we seem to stress about most – and not feel guilty about it.

So what does that mean? It’s time to treat yourself to a few decadent experiences simply because they’ll make you look and feel great. Here are my top three picks for those wanting to get the most out of their time and money in Thailand.

DENTAL WORK

A few months ago, Ben ignored that little voice inside his head that said, “Don’t do it!” and attempted to open a bottle with his teeth. Needless to say, it resulted in a chipped incisor and newly acquired hobo grin (which was actually kind of cute). So, the plan was to repair the damage (a new crown was needed), fix a couple of fillings and get Ben’s teeth whitened using Zoom technology in Thailand. The entire package set us back around $1000 AUD – it would have been triple the cost back home in Australia.

It you’re thinking about jumping on the medical tourism bandwagon and getting some dental work done in Thailand, we highly recommend it. Based on the advice of friends, we chose to go under the drill at Phuket Dental Signature. This clinic is the size of a small hospital and it’s so crisp white, you almost need sunglasses inside. The staff were friendly, super-skilled and easy to communicate with. We also found great comfort in the free Wi-Fi and air-con, which are both highly sought after in tourist riddled, piping hot Patong.

You can see the results of Ben’s dental work in the photo below. He’s looking pretty darn fine if I don’t say so myself!

DETOXING THE MIND & BODY

After a weekend of debauchery at the Full Moon Party, visiting a detox resort sounded like a good idea. We hit up The Sanctuary, which was perfectly placed just around the corner from “party central” in a quiet little hideaway. After a 10-minute boat ride, we wandered up the private beach and immediately knew we were somewhere special. This was where the real hippies were hanging out and their lean yoga bodies, ornate tattoos, technicolour fashion and wild haircuts were all proudly on display. It was another world – one we couldn’t wait to sample.

With only a day to enjoy The Sanctuary, Ben and I picked three different experiences from the extensive menu on offer: yoga, spa treatments and…colonics. Yes, colonics. The yoga session was a shock to the system and we quickly felt the full force of the Full Moon Party. Having said that, it was also the best yoga class we’d ever been to – the instructor’s voice was incredibly soothing putting us in a meditative state.

Next came the spa treatments. Ben opted for a full body massage to repair his muscles after a weekend of dance raves. I chose the full body scrub to cleanse the stubborn dirt and grime of long-term travel. Both offered a complete sensory experience. The smell of the spice-infused body scrub actually made my mouth water and the effect on my skin was brilliantly intense. I remember feeling ice cold and red hot at the same time. Ben and I both felt as though we’d been given new life after our treatments.

Lastly, we tackled the self-administered colonics. We were both feeling nervous and vulnerable as we walked into the ‘demo chamber’. After a quick tutorial, Ben and I were put into separate cubicles, which happened to be situated side by side (how romantic). We’ve reached a new level of intimacy in our relationship and heard things we can’t un-hear (despite the elevator music playing in the background). While we both left the session feeling “lighter” and less bloated, we agreed it was one of grossest things we’d ever done. Each to their own. Enough said.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to sample most of The Sanctuary’s signature offerings. They are renowned for their detox programs, which sound somewhat life changing. Not only are they designed to eliminate toxins from your body and help you discover newfound energy, they can also challenge your emotional connection with food. These programs can be supported by a number of mind-body-spirit sessions from the obvious (yoga, Pilates and meditation) to the unusual (Taoist abdominal massage, Reiki, NLP and “Shake Therapy”). If we’d had more time up our sleeves, we definitely would have given them a go.

GETTING PAMPERED TO A PULP

The idea of spending a whole day in a beauty spa sounds ludicrous anywhere in the world – except Thailand. If you hit up one of the many urban sanctuaries which line the city streets, you can practically afford to walk in and do everything one the menu, including: manis/pedis, eyelash extensions, massages, hair treatments, the weird feet-nibbling fish thing, facials and beyond. A full day will set you back anywhere between $100-$300AUD in the cheaper spas depending on your choice of treatments. Don’t feel shy about haggling or asking for a discounted package cost.

There are some important things to keep in mind before you jump into the first spa you lay eyes on. Remember, you get what you pay for. Our first massage came from a bargain beauty salon on a main road in Patong. There was no music, the air-con was broken and their traditional Thai massage was more like a back tickle. But it was ok for $12 AUD.

We tried the same thing at Pier 42 and had a completely different experience. From the rustic charm of the rooms and soothing forest music, to the intriguing scents of the oils and masterful massage techniques of the staff, it was pure heaven. Again, it was well worth the price. So, decide what level of luxury you’re after, do your research online and at your hotel reception desk, and match your expectations with your budget.

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HAPPY DAY 2 // SORTING VISAS IN PHUKET

Today I discovered how “un-fun” sorting visas out can be. I had to hit up the Phuket Immigration office to extend my Thailand visa, as they usually only allow Aussies travelling by car to stick around for 14 days. It ended up being a 3-hour waiting game and I felt like a sardine packed into a tiny tin – it was so busy! Next time, I’ll make sure I have my Macbook Air, XCom Global dongle and Kindle with me. Lesson learnt.

FOCUSING ON THE POSITIVE…
While I was sitting in the immigration office, I kept telling myself how lucky I was to be in Thailand – a place which boasts and hosts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Yes, I had to miss out on “tan time” today. But, it will be waiting for me tomorrow. I can’t wait to roll around on the sun-kissed sand and jump into that water!

JUST FOR SMILES…
After today’s efforts, a massage was in order. I was stressed and a little down in the dumps, so I decided to do something that’d make me feel good. I don’t know what it is about a traditional Thai massage (with oils of course!), but it never fails to put a smile on my face and make me feel human again. Thank you to the team at Pier 42 for taking care of me.

ROOM WITH A VIEW

I kicked off my day with the usual ritual. Eyes shut tight; I puffed my pillow, rolled across the bed, stretched my sleepy limbs and then let out an epic unladylike yawn. As I opened my eyes to welcome the day, I had to do a double take. There, at the end of my marshmallow-soft bed, was the best view in Kuala Lumpur. Wow. I’d forgotten how beautiful it was.

Ben and I were staying at the Traders Hotel right in the heart of the city. A beacon of luxury, it sits smack bang in front of the Petronas Twin Towers like a mum watching over her precious twins. I felt as though I could literally reach out and hug them. It was hard not feel a bit buzzy and start jumping around the room like a teenager. The view was utterly ridiculous.

This got me thinking, why is it that so many people choose to stay at Traders Hotel because it has the best views in town? Why does a spectacular outlook make human beings feel so alive and happy?

I guess, for some, a room with a view gives them a sense of superior social status. They get to look down on the world from a literal pedestal and remove themselves from the masses. For me, though, it does the exact opposite. Gazing out at the world of activity before me, I feel more connected to the community. The lights, buildings, levels, streets, cars, people and urban drama…they make me feel like I’m not alone.

But, back on to our view of the Petronas Twin Towers more specifically. I loved it because it excited me about life’s possibilities and our capacity for innovation as humans. It’s hard to believe we can actually dream up something so mammoth, complex and beautiful and then turn it into architectural reality. How wonderful!

Finally, sitting nestled above the world, I loved our room with a view because it made me feel calm. The breathtaking outlook successfully distracted me from the stress and fatigue I felt at ground level. I was away from the hustle and bustle, I was relaxing amongst the clouds, but I was still able to watch the world below. Bliss.

So, thank you Traders Hotel for letting us stay a while and soak up your one-of-a-kind view. Much to our delight, it was practically perving on us from every part of the building.

To stay at Traders Hotel or find out more, click here.