Sometimes the next adventure comes when you’re not even looking for one. My visa for Bali had expired — but I wasn’t ready to go home just yet. So, I packed my backpack, booked a last-minute flight to Bangkok, and left with no plan, no expectations — just the urge to keep moving.
🇹🇭 Bangkok: Serendipity, Temples & a Pricey Market
Right after landing in Bangkok, I randomly bumped into a guy I’d met in Bali — we ended up on the same flight and, funnily enough, were staying in nearby hostels. Turns out, his family is partly from Bangkok, so he knew the city well — and just like that, my travel acquaintance became my guide for two days.
We wandered down Khao San Road, sampled our way through street food stalls, and tried this super hyped Thai ice cream (he insisted — and honestly, it lived up to the hype!). Later, we strolled past the Grand Palace, which was closed for the night, but it was still a goosebumps moment — glowing in the dark, it felt absolutely magical in the heart of this buzzing city.
A few days later, I went back to the palace alone, this time during the day — and it was worth it. Afterward, I walked over to Wat Pho just in time for sunset. The way the golden stupas reflected the light was unforgettable.
One day, I took a taxi (too far for a TukTuk) to visit the Floating Market and the famous train market. Unfortunately, the driver convinced me to skip the train market and just do the Floating Market — and I quickly realized why: pricey entry, tourist traps, and everything cost extra. When you’re traveling solo, that can hit the budget hard. I wouldn’t recommend doing it alone.
Later, I visited a village of the so-called “long-neck women,” known for the brass rings they wear around their necks. Contrary to how it looks, the neck doesn’t actually grow longer — the rings push the shoulders down over time, creating the illusion. This tradition comes from the Kayan, an ethnic minority from Myanmar, now also living in northern Thailand.
Thankfully, one of the highlights followed soon after: Wat Samphran — a pink temple tower wrapped in a giant dragon sculpture. Almost no tourists, super cheap entry, and at the top, little rituals to complete before you can pray. The view was peaceful and impressive — a place with a true atmosphere.
🏝️ Krabi: Beach Bliss, Monkeys & Maybe a Little Too Much Partying
From Bangkok, I made my way to Krabi and stayed in a hostel right by the beach. It looked chill at first — and it was — but it also turned out to be a perfect party spot if you were in the mood. Pool parties, foam nights, beer pong — it was never boring. But if you wanted peace and quiet, that was possible too. The rooms were surprisingly quiet at night. It’s called Sea Beach Hostel. Click the link to check out Sea Beach Hostel!
I shared a dorm with seven guys, which honestly didn’t bother me at all. I connected instantly with a solo traveler from Iceland, and we did a bunch of things together — making the hostel experience even better.
The hostel was great for meeting people — I met travelers from all over the world on the very first day. I especially loved that they organized group trips, so you could join in and explore together. One of the best hostels I’ve stayed at — and best of all: the beach was under a two-minute walk away.
I did some solo trips too, like visiting the stunning Railay Beach by longtail boat. Turquoise water, dramatic cliffs, soft white sand — one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen, and not too crowded either.
Later, the Icelander and I, along with two German girls, discovered Monkey Beach — hidden, reachable only through a jungle path, and full of cheeky monkeys. A little paradise. That evening, we went to a cabaret show — a first for all of us. Wild, colorful, and seriously entertaining.
The next day, we rented scooters and rode to the Tiger Cave Temple — over 1,200 stairs in the blazing heat. I’m not much of a hiker, and it was seriously tough, but the view at the top made every step worth it. We wrapped up the day with street food and fairy lights at the night market.
🛵 Koh Samui: Temples & Street Food Insects
Next stop: Koh Samui — we traveled there by taxi, ferry, and plenty of excitement. I’d visited before during cruise ship shore leave, but was still curious to see more. Unfortunately, it rained almost nonstop. But on one dry day, we made the most of it: rented scooters and did a full island loop — a little adventure of its own.
We visited the island’s most famous temples:
- Wat Plai Laem: with its massive multi-armed statue of the goddess Guanyin, peacefully floating above a lotus pond.
- Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai): standing almost 12 meters tall — a golden icon of the island.
- We also stopped at a few lesser-known temples — quieter, but beautifully decorated with colorful statues and tranquil courtyards.
We made spontaneous stops for scenic views, coconut stands, tiny hidden beaches, and photo ops. Rain or not — Koh Samui definitely had its own charm.
That evening, we headed to the Fisherman’s Street Food Market — and I got brave: I tried insects for the first time. Surprisingly, some of them really did taste like chips — crunchy and salty. Grasshoppers were my favorite!
🌿 Koh Phangan: Skipping the Half Moon for Island Vibes
Next, we ferried over to Koh Phangan. The Half Moon Party was on, but we chose to skip it — people say the Full Moon ones are more legendary anyway. Instead, we grabbed scooters and explored the island our own way.
I also reunited with a family I knew who had moved to Koh Phangan — it was so heartwarming to catch up after a long time.
My hostel on Koh Phangan was absolutely adorable! You could either book a 6-bed dorm or go for a private room. A friend of mine had the private room, which looked super beautiful, but I stayed in the 6-bed dorm and was totally happy with it. The room was a bit small, but if you’re really just using it to sleep, it’s more than enough. The highlight was definitely the property itself: a lovely pool, a bar, hammocks, and even a few fun games set up around the area. The staff were all super friendly and even gave us tips on where the next party was happening.
The hostel was called Puks Palace – click the link to check it out
I absolutely love this island: it’s more relaxed, a bit hippie, a little younger. Small cafés, colorful streets, and something charming around every corner. Koh Phangan had more soul for me than Koh Samui.
🐢 Koh Tao: Turtles, Cabaret & a Final Twist of Fate
Last stop: Koh Tao — sadly, only for two nights before heading home. We squeezed in a snorkeling trip, hoping to see baby sharks. No luck there, but several turtles swam right past us — an incredible moment.
That night, we hit up one last cabaret show — even crazier, funnier, and more fabulous than the one in Krabi. Our roommates back in Krabi had recommended it, and it was the perfect way to end our island hopping.
On the way to the ferry terminal, the universe had one last surprise: I randomly ran into a friend from Bali. Totally unexpected. We grabbed a drink and laughed at how small (and wild) the world can be — seeing each other again on Koh Tao of all places.
✈️ Final Thoughts: Unexpected, Wild, and Just Right
This trip wasn’t planned — but it turned out to be exactly what I needed. Thailand wasn’t just temples and dream beaches for me. It was friendship, spontaneity, wild nights, quiet sunsets — and a reminder that sometimes, life has the best plans for you when you don’t make any at all.
Quick Facts:
- Budget: Not very high, as food and drinks are very affordable, and hostels are also cheap.
- Currency: Thai Baht, Exchange Rate: 1 Euro (EUR) ≈ 37.22 Thai Baht (THB)
- Best Accommodation: Sea Beach in Krabi (click here to book), Puks Palace Koh Pangan (click here to book)
- Must Do: Ride a longtail boat, visit Railay Beach in Krabi, attend a cabaret in Koh Tao, rent a scooter in Koh Samui and tour the island with temple visits, and try Thai massages.
- Duration: I spent 4 weeks in Thailand, but you could easily stay longer and still not get bored. As a backpacker: at least 4 weeks, as a tourist: at least 2 weeks
- Travel Tip: Bring lightweight, long clothing for temple visits.
- Best Travel Time: It really depends on which part of Thailand you’re visiting, but in general best time to visit is November to February
- Food & Drink: It’s best to eat international food. Thai dishes are usually cheaper and taste better than trying a pricey, mediocre Italian pizza.