Amanta Ratchada

Staying in posh hotels is usually my sister Laura's bag, but as the boyfriend came to visit for two weeks, he treated us to the most amazing suite for our three nights in Bangkok. Honestly, this place was incredible. I could just see the two of us living there so happily. It was probably made better by the fact that I'd been staying in crappy hostels for the previous two months; but two plasma TV's, a walk-in-wardrobe, kitchen and BATH - heaven. The staff were extremely friendly too and the free breakfast was even better. The price was so reasonable as well, nowhere in England would you be able to stay in such luxury for 80 quid a night, I think I've paid more to stay at the Premier Inn in Reading...

Lilac Nails

So I recently met up with my best friend in Singapore who was stopping on her way back from a holiday in Oz. I took full advantage of her being there and pampered myself with perfume, make up and the mini bar in her 5-star hotel. One of the pieces I fell in love with was a lilac shade of nail varnish by Barry M. I've always been a fan of cute feminine shades of polish for summer but this one stands out as being particularly good. The lilac was deep enough to show up from a distance but also light enough to remain summery. I now have to look after my nails with great care to ensure they remain painted for the rest of my travels (6 weeks, pushing it a little I think). But one of the first things I'm gonna buy when I'm back is this beauty!

Pai

After our weeks spent on the beaches down south, we headed up north to Chiang Mai. Whilst in Chiang Mai we went over to a small town called Pai for a day and night. Pai isn't like anywhere else I've been in Thailand. It has a authentic hippie vibe about it, with loads of vegetarian cafes and yoga classes dotted about the town centre. Actually, it kind of reminds me of Brighton at home. That's it! A Thai-version of Brighton. We rented push bikes and cycled to the national park and bathed in the hot springs. This was such an experience. We met a Thai lady there who put mud from the banks on our faces, which we spread all over our bodies, and had the same mud bath you would spend a fortune on in London. The next morning we did a yoga class with Mama, a crazy 60-something Thai lady, who had us doing headstands on our first beginners class. I felt so refreshed coming back from Pai, like going to some sort of retreat!

Koh Phi Phi

Oh my, Phi Phi has got to be one of my favourite places ever! It's an actual paradise I'm sure (or 'para' as we liked to call it. Never before have I seen such crystal clear waters and soft white sand. When I first stepped into the water I really thought "yes, this is it. This is why I've left home for 5 months." Phi Phi is still pretty touristy (no doubt from the fact that its the same set of islands Danny Boyle's 'The Beach' was set), but it doesn't have that same touristy/ brits-abroad feel to it like say Koh Samui or Phangan. There are still a load of bars to enjoy in the main town on Phi Phi Don, and a couple of the beach, which set out huge beanbags on the sand at night to go and chill out on. On the day there's plenty to do too, but all we really did was soak up the sun on the sands of the island. If you are ever lucky enough to visit Phi Phi I would strongly recommend taking a taxi boat over to Long Beach as this is where you will find the best waters. (Having said that, it's possible to stay on Long Beach and therefore no need for a taxi boat). Our best day, however was the snorkling trip we did around Phi Phi Ley including Maya Bay, the famous deserted beach where Boyle's movie was filmed. This is without a doubt somewhere you have got to visit if on the island.

Koh Phangan

Okay so the three posts I promised a while back never happened did they. Where was I? So after Koh Tao we moved on to Koh Phangan to do essentially what everyone does when they go to Thailand and enjoy the full moon party! Since leaving Uni I've actually become a little boring some might think in that I don't actually enjoy a good piss up as much as I used to. But that said, I was on full form for full moon and managed to stay up til 9am- impressive for my new self. Anyway it is pretty much as mental as everyone makes out, thousands of people on this one beach called Haadrin drinking from buckets containing a mixture of varying spirits and energy drinks. I had the most fun in the morning actually; me and Paula met a couple of Aussie guys and spent two hours crying with laughter over anything and everything we saw. It's hard to explain on here, but I can only compare it to the same laughter I experienced with my friend Callum at summer solstice a few years back. (another reference that has no meaning unless you were there). Most people say only go to Phangan for full moon, but if you stay a little further out of Haadrin you will probably find a secluded beach with white sands and clear water, much like the rest of Thailand.