This year I boldly went where few have gone before.
In Thailand, sober. And I have never had a richer travel experience.
While the thought of Australians in Thailand may conjure up visions of dodgy tattoos and Chang-lit island hopping, the soothing environment and predominantly Buddhist religious influences make it the ideal destination to immerse yourself in the wellness travel trend, which encourages vacationers really restore, relax. and detoxification.
So for 10 days in Thailand starting in Phuket, just an 8-hour direct flight from Melbourne via Jetstar, I decided to ditch the traditional airport beer to mark the start of the trip and swap cocktails for poolside mocktails at the moment. arrival.
Four of Thailand’s top-tier resorts were central to making the challenge a success: Melia Phuket Mai Khao, Banyan Tree Krabi, Melia Chiang Mai and Banyan Tree Koh Samui. All of them had their own unique twists to provide a comprehensive experience of the area without a hint of the odd FOMO.
And while hangovers were kept at bay, there was certainly no shortage of enjoyment thanks to the plethora of culinary delights Thailand has to offer, curated and served by world-class chefs at each resort.
Days 1 – 3 at Melia Phuket Mai Khao
After a smooth Jetstar flight from Adelaide to Melbourne (1 hour 20 minutes) then on to Phuket (8 hours 50 minutes), our group of 6 stepped off the plane into a wall of perfumed, humid tropical air that induces an immediate sense of calm from head to toe. Having not traveled internationally since before the pandemic, it was surreal to be in another country, not to mention a relief to escape the bite of winter at home.
After arriving late at the vast oasis of the Melia resort, the friendly staff escorted us to our rooms, where a plate of healthy desserts were quickly devoured before bed.
Featuring an indoor and outdoor shower, a private plunge pool, a large outdoor bath that made me feel like I was in an Herbal Essences commercial and a huge, cloud-like bed, it sets the bar high for luxury accommodation of travel.
Waking up from the tropical rainstorm, it was time for breakfast at a superbly stocked buffet, with traditional Thai and Western dishes and coffee strong enough to start a morning of anything, including a trip to a local Buffalo farm and sand. crabs at Mai Khao Beach.
Back at the resort, we were treated to a home cooking lesson where we fried sand crabs (sadly we didn’t catch them) for lunch, before a Thai boxing lesson on the beach with the talented instructor Aum.
Given my desire to soak up Melia’s health ethos as best I could, I went to the spa for a pre-dinner massage.
If you’ve never had a Thai massage, be prepared to introduce a set of white pajamas before twisting, pulling and contorting like never before, and try not to spend the entire time giggling like I did.
Feeling soft and unsteady after requesting my “extra hard” massage, dinner at Gaia Restaurant was accompanied by a delicious ginger mocktail (my favorite of the trip) and another incredible meal.
Day two started with yoga with Aum before another delicious and healthy lunch at the main restaurant and a fitting farewell from the Melia team before heading to destination number two.
Days 3 – 6 at Banyan Tree Krabi
If you’ve never traveled to Thailand, Krabi should top your list of destinations. The gorgeous coastal town of Andaman itself is like stepping into a postcard, and the Banyan Tree Resort, with its grand architectural design inspired by Thai folklore and views of the surrounding islands filled with glassy ocean, is nothing short of stunning.
Here, my room was complete with a private infinity pool and an uninterrupted view of the sea from a marshmallow king bed. We all know that alcohol-free sleep is infinitely better, but a sober sleep in one of these rooms? It changes life.
After a dip in the infinity pool, it was down to the beach bar for a virgin mojito as the sun set. Dinner, set in a private room at the resort’s sophisticated Naga kitchen was a multi-course Western fusion extravaganza.
After a blissful eight hours in my marshmallow bed, I woke up early for a walk on the beach with monitor lizards and the rising sun, then went downstairs to happily whip up a new buffet for breakfast.
This morning, we were taken on a long boat to Hong Island, where a multiple flight of steep stairs offered panoramic views of the choppy calm ocean, treetops and fresh, powdery sand below.
Around the bend in a nearby lagoon, diving straight off the boat to swim under the limestone cliffs was a highlight (but watch out for lurking jellyfish!)
Tip: It’s a good idea to leave early for a day trip to the limestone islands near Krabi. The area is often packed with tourists hoping to get the perfect Instagram shot, which can result in long boat traffic jams.
With windswept hair, sandy feet and salty skin, we returned to the resort, fresh coconuts and pineapples in hand, to prepare for the next activity: another massage. Hard life.
A traditional Thai dinner on the resort’s pristine sandy beach area finished the day, then an early bed with the promise of an unforgettable elephant mud-bathing adventure at a nearby rescue sanctuary the next day.
Aonang Elephant Sanctuary, home to just four elephants rescued by its passionate operators, is a must-do for kids if you’re heading to Krabi.
Dedicated to the care and education of these gentle giants, there are no elephant-riding controversies here. Instead, you’ll feed, pet and bathe the adorable creatures in the mud and water under the watchful eye of their Mahout – a 24-hour trainer and caretaker assigned to each animal they bond with. unbreakable.
A truly humbling experience and a fantastic set up.
Back at the Banyan Tree, the afternoon consisted of lazing by the pool, then a fun retro aqua aerobics class taught by upbeat fitness guru Badi.
From tote bags to take to the pool, to daily incense to burn in your room, the attention to detail is something to marvel at at this resort.
I even accidentally synced my phone’s alarm with the BlueTooth system, which was a pleasant surprise when I woke up to soft music coming from the bedside clock rather than the sharp whine of my iPhone. (I was convinced I had a ghost the first time it happened, but I was reassured that the Banyan Tree is completely ghost-free).
Day 6 – 8 at Melia Chiang Mai
Picking up the pace by the sea, the next stop was a city break in Chiang Mai, Bangkok’s less chaotic little sister.
As the largest religion in Thailand, Buddhism is practiced by 93 percent of the population, and Chiang Mai is a major spiritual center. While there’s plenty of good shopping here, incredible food and a bustling bar scene, there’s an ethereal Chiang Mai air that radiates from the streets you’ll share with the trainee monks taking offerings each morning.
For the temple fix, take a trip to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep (about 40 minutes from the city) with a guide in tow to learn the rich history of the ornate golden temple and the significance of the area. If you’re open to an all-out excursion, you can be blessed by monks who will tie a thread around your wrist for luck and bestow an ancient prophecy.
Mine, number 13, translated to: “This is a lucky number, the person who receives this number will be prosperous and full of wealth, dignity and success. Asking about the disease, he has already recovered from the disease. As for the inner baby, it’s probably male.”
(Obviously I’m not expecting a baby, but my enthusiastic daily breakfast buffet made the gender of my baby’s food even funnier).
For a little extravagance, an after-dinner drink (water) at one of the city’s bars is a fun way to end a night. Even without alcohol, it’s impossible not to enjoy the excited travelers and friendly locals at one of these bars. Like any drag show, the queen’s masterful costumes, make-up and dazzling routines will leave you in awe and smiling from ear to ear.
For me, the real highlight of Chiang Mai was the food.
On a tour of the region’s best dining spots, you’ll find a $1 chicken laksa in broth called Khao Soi that will knock your socks off, grilled river fish and curry various pork and chicken cooked in small, unpretentious local restaurants. .
Days 8 – 10 in Koh Samui
This is where my transition from constantly exhausted magazine to restrained resort pig was complete.
Nestled in the mountains of Lamai Beach, Banyan Tree Koh Samui may be the most beautiful accommodation I will ever have the pleasure of experiencing in my entire life.
A large private villa was my home for the next two nights, boasting direct views from the pool to the quiet sandy beach through leafy canopies from the many trees of the verdant grounds.
There’s a reason Banyan Tree Koh Samui is considered one of Thailand’s best resorts, and it’s safe to say that by this point in the trip, my Instagram followers were beyond sick of the Thailand spam.
As well as being stunningly beautiful, it is the ideal retreat for the discerning traveller.
Health and vitality are key to the Banyan Tree, with each location dedicated to helping its guests find a sense of clarity and balance during their stay. The resort has enlisted a host of experts to offer mindfulness lessons and a variety of activity options to keep your body moving between lazy days by the pool.
A particularly luxurious and unusual feature of this resort is the hydrotherapy rainforest, designed to inspire a sense of calm through various water techniques as the user moves through each level. From the flowing “rain” to a bucket of water, steam rooms and pool with different styles of jets, you’ll leave feeling refreshed, if a little wrinkly from all the soaking.
I found the pool jets extremely ticklish, which sent me into a laughing frenzy (again), so I must apologize to my traveling companions for disturbing the peace.
Pilates, yoga, sleep meditation and breathing exercise lessons between sumptuous meals, ocean diving and sunbathing in my exclusive mini paradise rounded off a truly magical introduction to Thailand.
Despite the action-packed 10 days of walking, exercising and borderline competitive eating, I still left feeling more relaxed (and a little rounder) than any holiday before, and I’m convinced it’s because alcoholic beverages were removed from the equation.
Without the wine and cocktails, I slept much better than usual, and waking up without a hangover gave me the energy to take part in any activity I had on offer, plus extra visits for anything I had time to squeeze in during the day.
So if you’ve ever wondered if traveling sober is worth it, if it really is possible, it definitely is, and I can’t recommend it enough.
