Thailand

So... I returned to Thailand for round 2 starting in Chiang Mai. After the unexpected difficulties encountered in Laos, I decided to console myself by starting with my #1 anticipated activity in Asia... Elephant sanctuary!! OMG. AMAZING. My love for elephants was uncontainable. I hugged them. I fed them. I bathed them. I tried not to cry the whole time. Magical.

Seeing how happy the elephants were out in nature, being fed and cared for made my heart feel so big.

This little guy above, Dumbo, kept reaching in my bag before I could even pull out a banana! He was literally the cutest animal I've ever met. I wish he would fit in my suitcase back to Canada.
Getting a couple hugs definitely made my day..

And the mud bath and subsequent river shower were probably the most fun I've ever had with animals..

Ok, just a couple more of these beautiful creatures..

After eating so much in Vietnam and learning about their cuisine, I figured it would basically be a crime not to do the same in Thailand. Spent the day in an outdoor kitchen in the cutest garden..

So if anyone wants some Thai curry when I get home... hit me up!

Also.. couldn't forget to visit one more Buddhist temple..

My next city was the small, hippy, chill town of Pai. I loved my time there.
Took in a beautiful sunset at the canyon (not quite a 'grand canyon' but it'll do)..

The White Buddha..

And a great viewpoint..

All accessed by scooter. My new favourite form of transportation.. look how happy I am!..

Aaaaand now.. the last spot in Thailand and Asia!!! Chiang Rai.
First the interesting design and detail of the White Temple (Wat Rhong Khun)..

And buildings and art of the Black House (Baan Dam) ...

The beauty of the Choui Fong tea fields...

Green tea everything!!

And the colours of the Maeh Fah Luang garden.

Orchids to die for!

Not a bad bit of sightseeing to finish off the Southeast Asia exploration. The relaxing and beautiful days were just what the doctor ordered.
So, I left Thailand and Asia with a happy heart, still dreaming of elephant kisses but ready for the final chapter.. 3 weeks in Europe with my favourite sister.

For once I'll actually have a relatively short blog post, as I only started off Southeast Asia with Bangkok before switching countries. I was prepared for the crowded and busy atmosphere of Bangkok after India and just spent a couple days exploring the downtown/tourist centered core. Get ready for lots of temple pics. I know, I know, there was so much of that in India.. but these ones are totally different, I promise! As always, it's hard to go back to traveling on your own, but I hit the jackpot in a hostel full of other solo travelers that I spent my time with. Two thumbs up!
Our first exploration was the big one.. the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha...

The temple area is the most intricate, called Wat Phra Kaew in Thai..

As you can see, it is fantastically ornate and beautiful..

And the Palace itself is also beautiful, even if we could only view it from afar...

It was also incredibly crowded and so so hot. India was hot, but walking around in Bangkok was so humid! Back to multiple shower a day life! After the crazy crowds at the Grand Palace, exploring the smaller Wat Pho was really nice...

And just as beautiful...

It is also home to the massive reclining Buddha..

Ok, so the last temple spot was Wat Arun..

Then we also spent some time in the streets of China Town...

Wandered through a beautiful park..

And stumbled upon another temple (sorry, may have lied before.. But this one was unique!)... There was a prayer ceremony happening inside and it was so interesting and peaceful to observe..

You can also see the photo of the late king in front of the temple, one of many that are seen all through the city!

Lastly, we enjoyed checking out the street food, market, and night life around Khaosan road. Bangkok is an interesting city, but many areas are incredibly tourist-y and had this feeling of 'just check it off to say you did it'. Which is never the most fun for a travel destination. The temples were unlike anything I've seen before, I ate so much pad Thai, and I met a wonderful group of people.. but I was ready to check out what Cambodia had to offer!!