-Diane Arbus
As a young woman, it's always difficult to take off on a new adventure. As I am sure this is true for all travelers, I think that much time is invested in deterring young females to travel alone which makes the planning more difficult. I'd love to say to take off without a plan is how I'd do it, but that's not in my personality and safety first, right?
With all this in mind, I knew I wanted to get away and see the world beyond my door step, but I was fearful about traveling alone. Thankfully, I found the great company Free and Easy Traveler. They were great for solo travelers because with the group, you never feel lonely but it's also possible to get out and experience the country (to an extent) on your own. All the worries of booking and planning are taken care of; in-country travel, hotels, some excursions and most drinking nights are all planned out for you, and you have the choice whether to participate or not.
Your leaders are less like babysitters and more like really awesome friends. I have to give props to Sean and Shaye for making the trip worth while. My leaders were young, fun, active people willing to go that extra mile to make the trip memorable for all and I couldn't thank them more. Mama Wolf and Papa Sean helped keep our FnEz family together.
Which brings me to another great point about my Free and Easy experience; my Thai Family. Usually when spending a rather fair duration of time with the same people in close proximity, feeling are developed. Now, I'm not talking love; I didn't meet the love of my life on this trip or anything like that, but I did meet some of the most amazing people. Because of all the time spent with these clearly-more-awesome-than-I-am folks, I was forced to get to know them on a more personal scale in a short period of time. Their perks are what made them different, but Free and Easy is what brought us together. I made some of the greatest friends from all over North America and I couldn't be more happy about it (except for when we re-entered real life, I realized they live so freaking far away). We shared an experience together and we will always have that to remember and to connect us as a group.
Accommodations:
Bangkok - Wild Orchid Villa (***)
This hotel is steps away from the famous Khan San Road. With it's cute Thai decor, it's the home to many-a-backpacker. I stayed in an airconditioned room which had two single beds; totally worth every penny. And the bathroom? Can we say "MORE ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES!" A Thai shower is where it's at. Overall though, it was clean, bug-free and great for your dollar.
Railay- Diamond Cave Resort (***)
These little bungalows are extremely nice. The bathroom is a little less pleasant than those in Bangkok, but it's cheap, so I can't really complain. There was airconditioning and a nice comfy, clean bed. Sitting on East Beach, Railay, only moments away from the famous Last Bar. My only advice is: try not to get lost on the way home!
(This place was good enough that when I returned to Railay, I stayed here with my boyfriend.)
Koh Phi Phi- Tropical Garden Bungalows (**)
Ah, Tropical Garden. Let's just say my experience here was less than perfect. Basically, think of it as sleeping in a hot, muggy garden. There's no airconditioning (for that matter, the fan in our bungalow didn't even work), and bugs will be joining you for a solid night of not-sleeping. A bug net is provided, but they are old and have some holes. If you plan to stay here, keep an open mind and beware of bedbugs. I'm probably making it sound way scarier than it was, but be careful and don't fret too much; you're on beautiful and bustling Koh Phi Phi, so take the time to enjoy every minute of it!
Khao Sok- Smileys Bungalows (***)
This place is too cute to be real. Sitting in the middle of Khao Sok (there's not much going on here, so don't get too excited), these tree houses are absolutely fantastic. In these little houses connected by a bridge, sitting relatively high up off the ground, you can't help but feel like you're a monkey. Not to mention the amazing view! You're in Thailand's core and you can see the jungle all around. The people who run it are also extremely friendly and welcoming, ESPECIALLY to the Free and Easy family.
We also ventured to their "Smileys Bungalows Floating Bungalows" on the Lake in Khao Sok National Park. Can you say "AMAZING?" With no electricity during the day, these floating houses are quite the re-treat. Even though it rained the entire time I was there, the water is warm, the place is exotic and there is definitely fun to be had on this picturesque man-made lake.
Koh Phangan (Haad Yuan)- Barcelona Resort (***)
I cannot get over how beautiful the view was on this private little beach. Barcelona sits on the coast of Haad Yuan, with few other hotels and business along the beach, you feel as though you are in your own little paradise. The rooms are nothing special; no airconditioning, bug nets and cold showers (beware of centipedes), but the view and the beach make up for it all. You're also only a short boat ride away from the famous Haad Rin where the original Full Moon Party takes place. Oh, did I mention the only way to Haad Yuan is via taxi-boat? That's how paradise is meant to be accessed. Don't get me wrong though, you're not in Tom Hanks in Castaway here, you're still within civilization with lots to do; internet cafe, restaurants, bars, tattoo parlour, mini-general store etc. But nothing beats the beach.
Bangkok- Khao San Holiday Guest House (****)
Another one of my favourite accommodations! Situated in the heart of Khaosan Road, this place is a backpackers dream. First of all, I absolutely loved the staff; they were polite, kind and very accommodating. Every time I went, I received superior service. The rooms are super clean and really nice as well; comfy beds, airconditioning, nice showers and great english television (this was important for my sick boyfriend for two days of our trip). I think my best experience was here and it was pretty cheap! About the same I had paid at the Wild Orchid Villa or Diamond Cave, but I found this hotel nicer.
(I returned here with my boyfriend and then again when I was alone.)
***The stars are in relation to EACH OTHER, not in relation to western accommodations***
This, without the bar reviews (look forward to a post dedicated to my experience in Thai bars), is my Free and Easy experience. I don't think I would've changed a thing, the people, the travel and the time spent with FnEz showed me a Thailand that I could've have discovered on my own.
Your leaders are less like babysitters and more like really awesome friends. I have to give props to Sean and Shaye for making the trip worth while. My leaders were young, fun, active people willing to go that extra mile to make the trip memorable for all and I couldn't thank them more. Mama Wolf and Papa Sean helped keep our FnEz family together.
Which brings me to another great point about my Free and Easy experience; my Thai Family. Usually when spending a rather fair duration of time with the same people in close proximity, feeling are developed. Now, I'm not talking love; I didn't meet the love of my life on this trip or anything like that, but I did meet some of the most amazing people. Because of all the time spent with these clearly-more-awesome-than-I-am folks, I was forced to get to know them on a more personal scale in a short period of time. Their perks are what made them different, but Free and Easy is what brought us together. I made some of the greatest friends from all over North America and I couldn't be more happy about it (except for when we re-entered real life, I realized they live so freaking far away). We shared an experience together and we will always have that to remember and to connect us as a group.
Accommodations:
Bangkok - Wild Orchid Villa (***)
This hotel is steps away from the famous Khan San Road. With it's cute Thai decor, it's the home to many-a-backpacker. I stayed in an airconditioned room which had two single beds; totally worth every penny. And the bathroom? Can we say "MORE ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES!" A Thai shower is where it's at. Overall though, it was clean, bug-free and great for your dollar.
Railay- Diamond Cave Resort (***)
These little bungalows are extremely nice. The bathroom is a little less pleasant than those in Bangkok, but it's cheap, so I can't really complain. There was airconditioning and a nice comfy, clean bed. Sitting on East Beach, Railay, only moments away from the famous Last Bar. My only advice is: try not to get lost on the way home!
(This place was good enough that when I returned to Railay, I stayed here with my boyfriend.)
Koh Phi Phi- Tropical Garden Bungalows (**)
Ah, Tropical Garden. Let's just say my experience here was less than perfect. Basically, think of it as sleeping in a hot, muggy garden. There's no airconditioning (for that matter, the fan in our bungalow didn't even work), and bugs will be joining you for a solid night of not-sleeping. A bug net is provided, but they are old and have some holes. If you plan to stay here, keep an open mind and beware of bedbugs. I'm probably making it sound way scarier than it was, but be careful and don't fret too much; you're on beautiful and bustling Koh Phi Phi, so take the time to enjoy every minute of it!
Khao Sok- Smileys Bungalows (***)
This place is too cute to be real. Sitting in the middle of Khao Sok (there's not much going on here, so don't get too excited), these tree houses are absolutely fantastic. In these little houses connected by a bridge, sitting relatively high up off the ground, you can't help but feel like you're a monkey. Not to mention the amazing view! You're in Thailand's core and you can see the jungle all around. The people who run it are also extremely friendly and welcoming, ESPECIALLY to the Free and Easy family.
We also ventured to their "Smileys Bungalows Floating Bungalows" on the Lake in Khao Sok National Park. Can you say "AMAZING?" With no electricity during the day, these floating houses are quite the re-treat. Even though it rained the entire time I was there, the water is warm, the place is exotic and there is definitely fun to be had on this picturesque man-made lake.
Koh Phangan (Haad Yuan)- Barcelona Resort (***)
I cannot get over how beautiful the view was on this private little beach. Barcelona sits on the coast of Haad Yuan, with few other hotels and business along the beach, you feel as though you are in your own little paradise. The rooms are nothing special; no airconditioning, bug nets and cold showers (beware of centipedes), but the view and the beach make up for it all. You're also only a short boat ride away from the famous Haad Rin where the original Full Moon Party takes place. Oh, did I mention the only way to Haad Yuan is via taxi-boat? That's how paradise is meant to be accessed. Don't get me wrong though, you're not in Tom Hanks in Castaway here, you're still within civilization with lots to do; internet cafe, restaurants, bars, tattoo parlour, mini-general store etc. But nothing beats the beach.
Bangkok- Khao San Holiday Guest House (****)
Another one of my favourite accommodations! Situated in the heart of Khaosan Road, this place is a backpackers dream. First of all, I absolutely loved the staff; they were polite, kind and very accommodating. Every time I went, I received superior service. The rooms are super clean and really nice as well; comfy beds, airconditioning, nice showers and great english television (this was important for my sick boyfriend for two days of our trip). I think my best experience was here and it was pretty cheap! About the same I had paid at the Wild Orchid Villa or Diamond Cave, but I found this hotel nicer.
(I returned here with my boyfriend and then again when I was alone.)
***The stars are in relation to EACH OTHER, not in relation to western accommodations***
This, without the bar reviews (look forward to a post dedicated to my experience in Thai bars), is my Free and Easy experience. I don't think I would've changed a thing, the people, the travel and the time spent with FnEz showed me a Thailand that I could've have discovered on my own.
Now that I've been, all I want to do is go back,
Meeca
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