


The next day when we arrived in Chiang Mai after the overnight sleeper train, We all marched to our way too fancy hotel for a spot of breakfast. I have to say all of the accommodation we stayed in while on my Contiki tour was better than I expected. Some places were a bit shabby but nothing was less than 3*, apart from when we stayed in a guest house sailing down the Mekong! For breakfast I had about 238373 waffles before heading upstairs to nap. While I did sleep on the train from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, I just needed a proper rest! I had the weirdest dreams while on the train, which I can put down to my malaria tablets!






























In the afternoon we took a trip to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Here we were blessed by monks and given string bracelets to give us good luck. The temple itself was just as stunning as the one we saw in Bangkok. I cant get over how intricate and decant each of the temples we visited were. Gilded in gold and bright colours it was an absolute treat for the eyes. I don't think photos really do it justice because seeing it for yourself is a whole different experience.
This was the day everyone commented on the fact I'd dressed like a Disney princess. Because we were at a temple we needed to wear Temple Dress (shoulders and knees covered) I'd already forgotten this rule and wore my polka dot White Pepper dress. Therefore I had to borrow a sarong... I ended up with the silky pink one. I looked like I'd just come from Disneyland rather than a temple. Oh well!
We didn't do anything during the afternoon as a lot of people went on a Tiger Temple Trip - For the record I'm SO against stuff like this. I'm totally against animals for entertainment (but not anti captivity, just the use of animals to do something unnatural to entertain people ie. dolphins doing tricks) I think I may have lost a few friends initially with my opinion of Tiger Temples. A girl admitted to me that she didn't go purely because she was worried what people would think of her. While I respect other peoples choices, no matter what I think is right or wrong. I just think there is something fundamentally wrong with going to see an animal in a zonked out drugged state. I have nothing against people going to zoo's or rescues but Aerys won't even let me spoon her and she's a domestic cat. It's just not natural.





















That evening we took an optional extra for the trip and went to a Thai cooking class. I'm so happy I decided to do this as it was one if my favourite things I did on the whole trip. We were shown how to cook authentic Thai food from scratch and it was amazing. The Tom Yum soup we made was one if the best things Ive ever cooked and I'm totally giving it a go now that I'm home! It was epic. We also made a curry, chicken and cashews and Pad Thai. To finish we had mango sticky rice which just writing about has got me drooling over my keyboard. It was out of this world. Our teacher gave us a little book packed with recipes to try. Can't wait!


That night we headed out to a riverside bar after we strolled around more night markets. At the bar we drank too many pitchers of beer and laughed too much before heading to a local bar for a few more. Dean and Antonio were hanging off the back of our taxi and at one point the driver drove off without them. I was convinced one of them was going to die! The people in my group are honestly some of the best people I've had the pleasure of meeting. Not a single person on my trip was unfriendly or unwelcoming. We became a proper little family within just a few days! Even now looking back at the photos Im feeling a bit emotional as I already miss everyone crazy amounts!














Our third day in Thailand was when we headed up to Chiang Rai. First we stopped at the White Temple. This was an off plan stop but it was a really awesome place to visit! This was a temple unlike anything I'd seen before. Seriously. There was a statue of predator, paintings of minions, Harry potter and Freddie Kruger and a museum of lost property. It was so surreal seeing this religious monument, it didn't seem quite real. Kind of like Disney/film set type thing. So weird. I cant really explain and I dont have enough pictures to show you just how crazy it actually was!




That night we had a shit shirt party in a local bar. It was Joe's birthday so we had a little party for him and played a bunch of Joe related songs for him. The girls in the bar gave us full reign of the playlist so we played some of the worst mix of music I've ever heard. Even so it was a great laugh. I think Dean won as somehow he managed to squeeze himself into this tiny singlet which had a chick and a kitten on at said "I love you". Im so gutted I dont have a photos of it because it was actually HILARIOUS. He wore it later on the tour when he ran out of clothes as well which I couldn't stop laughing at. I wore a Grumpy Cat tee which wasn't that shit, even though I can't believe I didn't take a photo of it. In my drunken haze I must have forgot. When a vodka and coke is 100 baht... A girl can forget.
Following morning nursing a sore head from lack of sleep and too much booze we headed to the border to go to Laos! More on that tomorrow!
We didn't do anything during the afternoon as a lot of people went on a Tiger Temple Trip - For the record I'm SO against stuff like this. I'm totally against animals for entertainment (but not anti captivity, just the use of animals to do something unnatural to entertain people ie. dolphins doing tricks) I think I may have lost a few friends initially with my opinion of Tiger Temples. A girl admitted to me that she didn't go purely because she was worried what people would think of her. While I respect other peoples choices, no matter what I think is right or wrong. I just think there is something fundamentally wrong with going to see an animal in a zonked out drugged state. I have nothing against people going to zoo's or rescues but Aerys won't even let me spoon her and she's a domestic cat. It's just not natural.





















That evening we took an optional extra for the trip and went to a Thai cooking class. I'm so happy I decided to do this as it was one if my favourite things I did on the whole trip. We were shown how to cook authentic Thai food from scratch and it was amazing. The Tom Yum soup we made was one if the best things Ive ever cooked and I'm totally giving it a go now that I'm home! It was epic. We also made a curry, chicken and cashews and Pad Thai. To finish we had mango sticky rice which just writing about has got me drooling over my keyboard. It was out of this world. Our teacher gave us a little book packed with recipes to try. Can't wait!


That night we headed out to a riverside bar after we strolled around more night markets. At the bar we drank too many pitchers of beer and laughed too much before heading to a local bar for a few more. Dean and Antonio were hanging off the back of our taxi and at one point the driver drove off without them. I was convinced one of them was going to die! The people in my group are honestly some of the best people I've had the pleasure of meeting. Not a single person on my trip was unfriendly or unwelcoming. We became a proper little family within just a few days! Even now looking back at the photos Im feeling a bit emotional as I already miss everyone crazy amounts!














Our third day in Thailand was when we headed up to Chiang Rai. First we stopped at the White Temple. This was an off plan stop but it was a really awesome place to visit! This was a temple unlike anything I'd seen before. Seriously. There was a statue of predator, paintings of minions, Harry potter and Freddie Kruger and a museum of lost property. It was so surreal seeing this religious monument, it didn't seem quite real. Kind of like Disney/film set type thing. So weird. I cant really explain and I dont have enough pictures to show you just how crazy it actually was!




That night we had a shit shirt party in a local bar. It was Joe's birthday so we had a little party for him and played a bunch of Joe related songs for him. The girls in the bar gave us full reign of the playlist so we played some of the worst mix of music I've ever heard. Even so it was a great laugh. I think Dean won as somehow he managed to squeeze himself into this tiny singlet which had a chick and a kitten on at said "I love you". Im so gutted I dont have a photos of it because it was actually HILARIOUS. He wore it later on the tour when he ran out of clothes as well which I couldn't stop laughing at. I wore a Grumpy Cat tee which wasn't that shit, even though I can't believe I didn't take a photo of it. In my drunken haze I must have forgot. When a vodka and coke is 100 baht... A girl can forget.
Following morning nursing a sore head from lack of sleep and too much booze we headed to the border to go to Laos! More on that tomorrow!
How cool that you attended that cooking class and how good that your lodging was not too bad ... You look super cute in your dotted dress!
ReplyDeletexx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.com
lovely!
ReplyDeletexx
daniella
simplybeautifulelegant.blogspot.com
wow amazing place!
ReplyDeletenew look on my blog!!
http://sweetmona.com/blog/white-shorts-black-hearts/
Wow, such gorgeous pictures.
ReplyDeletex
lifeandstyle-diary.blogspot.nl
loooks like fun
ReplyDeletexxx
www.dominiquecandido.com
I love Asian culture. I've been to Hong Kong and China and I've enjoyed my trip so much :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.madelinefedmont.com/hong-kong/
These photos are amazing! I would love to travel across Asia someday, it looks fascinating! Hope you had a great time! :)
ReplyDeleteJoanne | www.fashion-oh.blogspot.com
Cute pictures<3
ReplyDeletewww.shallwesasa.com
I went to Thailand for a month this June. Your photos make me miss it like crazy, Chiang Mai was wonderful :) as were the islands and Bangkok! Ahhh I want to be back :( Hope you had an amazing time x
ReplyDeletekathrynscupcakes.blogspot.co.uk xxx
The temples looks absolutely stunning! I really love your dress even if everyone said you looked like a Disney character!
ReplyDeleteThe Velvet Black // UK Style, Beauty and Lifestyle Blog
Amazing photos Lily!
ReplyDeleteANIKA MILLER // UK FASHION AND STYLE BLOG
so amazing lily! cant wait to see more!
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looks amazing I am glad you had a really good time :)
ReplyDeletehttp://champagnelifestyleteabudget.blogspot.co.uk/
It looks so pretty omg! x
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/
Oh wow, amazing!!! Such great Pictures ♥
ReplyDeleteSimply stunning pictures! Looks like the perfect place to visit!
ReplyDeleteLooks like such an amazing trip, the white temple is stunning!
ReplyDelete- Grace
http://voguebeach.blogspot.co.uk/
Looks like you had so much fun! I am planning a trip to Southeast Asia after I finish teaching in South Korea in October. I was going to do it solo, but I might look into this Contiki tour now.. looks pretty good!
ReplyDeleteEmma - http://keepcalmgotokorea.blogspot.co.uk/
Lovely photos Lily!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you use to collage two portait photos together?
Thanks!
www.lbbsteph.com
Wow it looks amazing, I'm getting my travel tingles again! It's great to see another Contiki option too!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, the colours are amazing.
Mel x
www.justmelkate.blogspot.com
Really cute photos <3
ReplyDeletewww.MyFantabulousWorld.com
Oh my goodness, this looks both insane and insanely cool! I've never considered doing Contiki until recently. I still think I couldn't handle how much is packed into each and every day, though it'd be so cool to experience as much as possible (and not have to worry about organising anything!).
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredibly photogenic country!
www.lioninthewild.com
Sounds like you had the most incredible trip, can't wait to hear more about what you got up to x
ReplyDeleteholljc.blogspot.co.uk
A Thai cooking class is definitely on my list of things to do when I visit Thailand later this year, the white temple looks amazing too! Loving reading your travel posts, looks like you had a great time.
ReplyDeleteCharlotte ♡
Wow!! Looks so so incredible, loving all your photos!
ReplyDeleteShot From The Street | Fashion Blog
Looks like such a beautiful place!
ReplyDeletehttp://shewhoisshort.blogspot.co.uk/
Amazing pictures!!
ReplyDeletewww.mandybajwa.blogspot.com
Absolutely amazing post, The images are stunning, I'm considering travelling through Thailand next summer, and this is just making me want to go even more!
ReplyDeleteAmelia | ameliajaneroseknows.blogspot.co.uk
The White Temple looks like it should be in Westeros or the Lands of the Summer Sea ^^
ReplyDeleteAnon Style Blog // Style and Beauty
Your pictures are always so beautiful!
ReplyDeletewww.beataba.blogspot.com
This trip looks amazing! I look forward to the next instalment x
ReplyDeleteGegsy Blog
These pictures are looking so cool !
ReplyDeleteSara,
http://thecrimeofashion.blogspot.fr
Amazing pictures, this looks incredible, I am 100% going to do this!
ReplyDeletejessssicahart.blogspot.co.uk
Look like it's been an incredible experience!
ReplyDeletelb-lc fashion blog
This is giving me such a crazy case of wanderlust! I've always wanted to go to Thailand but I've never been adventurous enough, however now I'm thinking it definitely needs to happen! Amazing photos and awesome post xo
ReplyDeleteLucy-J Loves | UK Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle
Love the photos! I've just come back from travelling around Europe it was incredible, I would love to go to asia in the future too :) xx
ReplyDeletewww.lifeinthefashionlanee.blogspot.co.uk
Lovely photos Lily! x
ReplyDeleteBLOG SALE | The little things in life
Lovely post!! Each photo looks so magical :') and I completely agree with you about animals being used to do tricks and unnatural things that they would not do in the wild!! I find it so sad :'( xx
ReplyDeletewww.krystelcouture.com | Giveaway ♥
I love seeing how different cultures live, and immersing myself in theirs. I also love travelling.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a ball!
Luc x
www.skeeterandscout.com
I'm enjoying these posts so much! <3
ReplyDeletexo
Maggie A
LOVEMAVIN/YOUTUBE || LOVE MAVIN/BLOG
It is really an adventure day, but I believe that it is worthy to do that.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tonarmoire.com/
Incredible photos, this trip sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteCassandraMyee | NZ Beauty Blog
Such a beautiful place. The food looks amazing!
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Please take the time to check out my blog and follow me :)
All your photos are so vibrant and colourful, it sounds amazing! H xx
ReplyDeletewww.hopesgone.blogspot.co.uk
I was in Chiang Mai last year. It was my best holiday ever. So relaxing.
ReplyDeletemaybe you like to visit my blog to see my Chiang Mai Post!
http://rockinglace.blogspot.de/2013/03/last-weeks-9-11-und-warum-thailand-so.html
It looks like so much fun! The white temple is stunning! All the food looks so delicious too! Love the sunglasses you have on :)
ReplyDeletewww.hayleyeszti.blogspot.com
This looks so amazing! I'm definitely going to have to look more into Contiki. x
ReplyDeletehttp://my--socalledlife.blogspot.com.es/
I am SO PROUD of you for not going to the tiger temple. People are so unaware of how disgusting those places are, and how badly the animals are treated - I think if you went, it'd be glamourising it, especially with your number of followers.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for standing up for the Tigers and speaking openly about it on here. My respect for you has increased x1000
Laura | KUWB
Wow some of these places look amazing!
ReplyDeletehttp://wiltedxfaded.blogspot.co.uk/
the cooking class looks so awesome, and the white buildings are my favourite so far - they are so bright and just mindblowing
ReplyDeleteLauren x
Britton Loves | Fashion Lifestyle + Photography - www.brittonloves.blogspot.co.uk
I absolutely adored travelling! I'm glad you had so much fun too!
ReplyDeleteThese are incredible photos :)
Style Sunrise☀
:)
x
It sounds so wonderful! I totally agree with you about the animal entertainment, I wouldn't want to see that either x
ReplyDeleteeleanor's adventures // UK Fashion & Beauty Blog
Wow! I loved every picture in this post!
ReplyDeletehttp;//candyiciousxo.blogspot.com
Such gorgeous pics! Chiang Mai was my favourite place in Thailand, thanks for bringing back the memoeries. I totally agree with you about the tigers, though. I refused to go, but it amazed me how many decent people didn't. It's just so cruel.
ReplyDeleteKeep the adventures coming!
Helena xx
http://h-pozexplores.blogspot.com
I'd never heard of a tiger temple before so I just googled it. I'm so proud for you for not going. It is much more important to stick up for animals' rights and stand by your principles, even if it does make you momentarily unpopular. It looks you had a great time anyway. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your trip.
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! Such a great post, the temples are absolutely beautiful! Makes me so excited for my trip to the far east! :)
ReplyDeletewww.sashacxo.blogspot.co.uk
Wow the architecture is unbelievable!!
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xx
Looks incredible!
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