

So I'm back! Hey Remember me? Sorry I dropped off the face of the earth on here, I did have stuff scheduled to post but it felt weird not being able to keep track of it all. I decided to keep those posts for later in the month! I'm sure a lot of you all excited to here about my trip and I obviously cant wait to share! Sitting down to look at the photos I've taken (over 3000) has made a little emotional. I'm not quite sure how long these series of posts are going to be as some days we did a lot and some days we didn't do too much. I didn't want to bore those who aren't that interested so I'll try not to ramble on!
Travelling didn't really start as smoothly as I hoped. I didn't realise my flight was booked for Saturday and actually thought I was supposed to be leaving on Monday. I woke up to a text on Saturday asking if I was ready to fly... Uhhh no. After re booking my flight and madly packing I finally left the UK at 9pm for an overnight to Bangkok. This was the first time I'd flown alone and I didn't find it all that bad. I was in a bit of a daze from crying about Aerys going missing (she ran away the night before but came back the day after I left) and the blur of packing and leaving my house two days before I thought I was! None the less, I soldiered on and just slept most of the way there!




Arriving in Bangkok at my hotel I met with my Contiki group. We were a mixed bunch of Aussies, Americans, Brits and a Scot. I had my own room as I was the odd person on tour (I joined so last min!) but normally you're paired up with someone else to be your roomie for the trip. While I did like having the room to myself all the time I would have liked to have a buddy! I guess it's just a little reassuring having someone else in the room with you!
Heading down to meet everyone for dinner I felt relaxed and eased in perfectly. I'm a pretty confident person and can talk to anyone but it helps that everyone is is the same boat as you. We had a group of 5 who knew each other and a few others who were paired but I'd say over 3/4's of our group were solo travellers. Instantly we relaxed into being buddies and headed out to experience some Bangkok nightlife. A Pad Thai and a few Singah's later we retired to bed awaiting the first day of tour.
Bangkok is an experience. It's packed full of night markets, massage places and street food. People are peddling their wares constantly and you're never far from a mango smoothie or a piece of meat on a stick. You'll be hounded by ping pong shows and lady boys. But it's all part of the fun! A real Thai massage was about 120 Baht and a real life changing experience. Nothing like any of the massages I've had here! I was twisted and pulled into positions I've never been in before. My back was clicked and chopped and I actually felt like I'd been roughed up after it! None the less it was awesome and I felt soooo much better.







































On our first day we headed The Grand Palace and to see the Temple of the Emerald Buddha was hands down one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. The detail and intricacy of the highly decorated temple blew me away. It'd hard to even capture just how detailed it was. So many stunning colours mixed with gold detailing. We also visited the Emerald Buddha Temple which is one of the holiest sites in the country. It's filled with epic murals, breathtaking architecture and absolutely mind blowing colours. Photos just don't do it justice as it's absolutely incredible.
I wore my temple pants that I bought the night before in a night market. It's funny because Zoe said to me "you've been in Asia for one day and you're already wearing travelling pants,!" I normally wouldn't wear anything like that but a lot of the temples and palaces have a dress code because of the Monks. Eventually I did learn to love elephant pants though and ended buying two more pairs as well as three pairs of shorts. When in Rome!












We went on a boat cruise around the rivers of the city and fed some Koi and see Bangkok from the rivers. Bangkok is often called the Venice of the East due to it's "klongs". It was cool seeing Bangkok from the rivers rather than the streets. You get to really observe how they live rather than in the crazy area just off Koh San Road!

In that same first day we travelled to Chang Mai on an overnight sleeper train. The idea of spending 14 hours on a train did not amuse me but surprisingly it flew past quicker than I'd imagined. It's funny how close you get to people on tour in such a short amount of time. Within 48 hours of meeting these people we were all huddled up on our sleeper train playing snap and Uno.
Sleeping wasn't actually that hard on the train. I did have night terrors which wasn't fun, but I get them quite a lot anyway. I think the stress of flying and meeting all these new people got the better of me. If you are travelling around Thailand then I'd totally suggest going on a sleeper train - I actually quite enjoyed the experience!
I took the Contiki Asian Adventure as a guest of Contiki
Wow, the pictures of the temples are so stunning, it looks like such an amazing place to visit! So glad you had a lovely time! X
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful photos! Sounds like the perfect way to travel solo :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to hearing more about your amazing travels.
DarlingSophie
It looks like a truly incredible trip and I am very jealous and looking forward to reading your future posts! Glad your cat arrived home!
ReplyDeleteI also came on here this morning wondering when a new post would be. Very happy your back!
average adventures
Amazing pictures!
ReplyDeleteXO
Jeanne
http://fashionmusingsdiary.blogspot.fr
wow! Super jealous, definitely looks like you had a great time. Can't wait for the rest of the posts... makes me want to go backpacking too!!
ReplyDeletex
www.mandybajwa.blogspot.com
The temple is absolutely beautiful, I'd love to see it for myself! I can't wait to see more of your travels x
ReplyDeleteWhat Rachael Wrote
Very beautiful. I love asian culture.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.madelinefedmont.com/hong-kong/
This sounds like the trip of a lifetime! This was such a nice post to read and the photos are incredible - bet it was even better in real life! xxx
ReplyDeleteBlog This With Hannah
The photos look great! I really want to go travelling around Thailand one day x
ReplyDeleteGegsy Blog
Beautiful pictures! 14 hours on train, wow, Chang Mai is a beautiful place and I bet it's worth the train ride!
ReplyDeleteSophia | sophiebysophia.blogspot.com
It looks like you had a lovely time, the photos are amazing!
ReplyDeletehttp://shewhoisshort.blogspot.co.uk/
Can't believe you did this on your own! Looks like the greatest experience! X
ReplyDeletewww.peexo.blogspot.co.uk
Looks amazing, Lily! I'm yet to explore Asia but it's definitely on the list. Xx
ReplyDeleteSarah Nunn | UK Style Blog
Looks like an amazing experience!
ReplyDeletethanks so much for sharing that trip with us, the photos are so amazing ! :)
ReplyDeleteLove from France, Victoria
http://godsaveourdressing.blogspot.fr
I love the photos! The architecture is impressive. I'd like to visit Thailand one day :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.stripedlune.blogspot.com
You have made me insanely jealous with this post, that massage sounds interesting and I am intrigued by the night markets! Can't wait to see your next posts!
ReplyDeleteThe Velvet Black // UK Style, Beauty and Lifestyle Blog
I'm so jealous, you look like you've had such an incredible time! I've always wanted to visit Thailand and the group you went with sounds fantastic, I'd definitely rather go with an organised travel company so I'm going to look into this for next summer! I can't wait to read the rest of your travel posts! xo
ReplyDeleteLucy-J Loves | UK Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle
Amazing photos! Especially of the temples.
ReplyDeleteNomad Notebook
nice pictures!
ReplyDeletehttp://sweetmona.com/blog/golden-details-on-my-shoes/
omg i can't believe you went on your own, so brave! how did you find out about the company? the pictures look amazing!! xx
ReplyDeletewww.styleandlondon.blogspot.co.uk
This looks so fun, everything is so colourful & nothing like England!
ReplyDeleteEmma at www.collagemepretty.blogspot.co.uk
It looks like such a beautiful place! The architecture of the temples and buildings is perfect. LOVE these photos!
ReplyDeletewww.hayleyeszti.blogspot.com
I'll be heading to Thailand after I finish up in Korea. Can't wait to get my hands on some travelling trousers too! The temple looks beautiful.
ReplyDeletehttp://keepcalmgotokorea.blogspot.co.uk/
awesome!
ReplyDeletexx
daniella
simplybeautifulelegant.blogspot.com
I'm glad you didn't end up missing your flight. Thank goodness you got that message before! I could see why you would take so many photos, the intricacy of the temples and all the colours are just something to be captured for forever!
ReplyDeleteROSA-DYN.com
That temple is incredible! Your photos are lovely (:
ReplyDeleteIt all looks so pretty, I would love to go there ones :) x
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/
Wowie Lily, sounds like the most amazing trip! All your photos are just beautiful x
ReplyDeleteholljc.blogspot.co.uk
Can't wait to see your 3k photos lol! I've heard about contiki, what exactly it?
ReplyDeletexo
Maggie A
LOVEMAVIN/YOUTUBE || LOVE MAVIN/BLOG
looks like fun to me
ReplyDeletexxx
www.dominiquecandido.com
These pictures are looking super cool !
ReplyDeleteSara,
http://thecrimeofashion.blogspot.fr
Hey, guys ! I have this really amazing fashion and lifestyle blog, you will fall in love with !
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This looks absolutely incredible, I really want to do something like this so much!!
ReplyDeletejessssicahart.blogspot.co.uk
Is it weird to meet all those strangers when you're a blogger? Like, when they ask you what you do and you say your a full time blogger/youtuber... do they understand or ask you if that's all you do? haha it's just that you have such a unique job!
ReplyDeleteWow these photographs are stunning! looks like an amazing trip :D
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xx
So cool pics sweetie
ReplyDeleteKisses
Maggie D.
The Indian Savage diary Fashion Blog
Looks like an amaazing trip!! Sounds stressful getting there though!
ReplyDeleteShot From The Street | Fashion Blog
It looks amazingly beautiful in Bangkok! Can't wait to read the rest of your travel posts!
ReplyDeleteI love the touring around Bangkok and I've been to the temple before too! It's really beautiful! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd pretty pictures!
www.angerawrs.co.uk
It looks amazing! I'm so jealous because I've always wanted to go to Asia, especially Thailand and Japan.
ReplyDeletePLEASE keep these posts up! I checked out your Insta whilst you were on your trip and have been everyone you went - would love to hear another take on it. So refreshing hearing about someone else's experiences that aren't you own, if you see what I mean - I look forward to more :)
ReplyDeleteBella x
What an amazing experience you lucky girl!
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www.kindoflovely.com || AUS Fashion/Lifestyle
That looks absolutely stunning!! Looks like such a beautiful place and experience.
ReplyDeleteThis definitely heightened my need to travel!
Amazing
Ashley xx
ashleyelizabethx.blogspot.co.uk
The pics are so pretty! Sounds like you had a wild time in Bangkok ^^
ReplyDeleteAnon Style Blog // Style and Beauty
Bangok looks amazing, gorgeous pictures. Your holiday so far souns amazing! I recently spent 11 hours on a train travelling across Europe with no bed, the journey wasn't smooth to say the least! H xx
ReplyDeletewww.hopesgone.blogspot.co.uk
I'd love to go travelling - I really need a kick up the bum to go and do it!
ReplyDeleteLauren x
Britton Loves | Fashion Lifestyle + Photography - www.brittonloves.blogspot.co.uk
I'm definitely going to have to look into contiki (and a selfie stick!) x
ReplyDeletehttp://my--socalledlife.blogspot.com/
The pictures are simply gorgeous. It looks like the kind of place that everyone should in their travelling bucket list !
ReplyDeleteAndrea //
gucciandpola.blogspot.com