Temples, Tigers, and Timeless Memories.
When you think of Thailand, what pops into your mind?
Maybe it’s the golden beaches, stunning Buddhist temples, lush rice paddies, mouth-watering food, friendly locals, Thai massages, buzzing street markets, or the chance to encounter elephants and exotic wildlife.
Well, Thailand was all that and more for me—a dream destination that pulled me in for years, while others were obsessed with visiting India.
I found something special about Thailand’s mix of authenticity and charm.
But life took me on a different path for a while, and I never had the budget for the trip… until 2010.
After an amazing experience in Tanzania, we decided it was time to turn that dream into reality.
I booked a private tour company that specializes in creating personalized trips through Thailand.
They helped us plan a 3-week adventure that packed in all the magic I had imagined, and more.
We kicked off in Bangkok.
City of vibrant chaos and golden temples, before heading off for an unforgettable journey.
The journey took us from lush jungles to the peaceful mountains and everywhere in between.
We met warm locals who welcomed us into their lives, dancing and celebrating festivals like old friends.
We canoed through white-water rapids and even spent a night in the jungle, which just happened to fall on my 50th birthday—a wild way to mark the occasion!
But nothing prepared us for what we called the “20-minute hike” experience.
Our guide led us on what was supposed to be a quick 2-hour hike up to a remote village in the mountains.
Four hours later, after some seriously steep and beautiful trekking, every time we asked how far it was, the answer was the same: “20 minutes more.”
Three hours and several “20 minutes” later, we finally made it, hot, sweaty, and totally wiped out.
But when we reached the village and saw the view from the top, we knew it was worth every aching step.
The next morning, the hike down was just as much of a surprise, but this time in the best way.
Along the trail, we stumbled across beautiful waterfalls—cool, refreshing, and the perfect way to end the adventure.
Next up was our much-anticipated encounter with the famous animals of Thailand.
Let me tell you, the elephant ride was not what we expected. We were heartbroken by how poorly they were treated, and we left vowing never to support those kinds of attractions again.
But our spirits were lifted when we visited a tiger rescue project where Thom, had an incredible photo shoot with the tigers.
For her, though, the highlight was the snake farm.
She’s always wanted a pet snake (and the thought of it sends shivers down my spine).
Watching her have the time of her life with nearly 20 snakes draped around her shoulders was enough to make me want to run for the hills.
Even Yoni, was brave enough to give it a try and found himself enjoying it.
Me? I skipped that one!
Our adventure wrapped up with a few more days in Bangkok, where we explored the city by boat, cruising through its famous floating markets.
The sights, smells, and colors were like nothing we’d seen before—truly a feast for the senses.
Then, it was time for some relaxation.
We flew to one of Thailand’s stunning islands, where we treated ourselves to a week at a golden resort, living the dream of island life.
It was a blissful way to end the trip, lounging on the beach, soaking in the sun, and enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
While Thom and I flew back to Amsterdam after that week, Yoni stayed behind to fulfill one of his own dreams—training for a whole week in Muay Thai boxing.
Thailand was everything we hoped for and more—a place of incredible beauty, mouthwatering food, and unforgettable experiences.
It was, without a doubt, the vacation of a lifetime.
