Visiting Thailand and Cruising the Mekong River

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It’s been two weeks since I returned from my trip to Thailand.

I was ready for a very many things, except for the long flight – I definitely should have prepared better for that (sleeping meds, more getting up and stretching, and more comfortable clothes, for starters).

I knew that whatever happened didn’t matter, because it was all new to me anyway. I think this is still the most excited thing about travel for me; the unexpected, the unknown, the new. It mattered little how much Anthony Bourdain has featured the country in his series, or how many travel bloggers often write about the country – for me it was all new.

Everyone suggested I visit Chiang Mai (everybody loves Chiang Mai, especially its vibrant expat community and beauty) – I didn’t. I was told to visit the elephant sanctuary for rescued and retired elephants – but I didn’t (I do hope to visit with my children one day). I was even told to eat pad Thai and all kinds of street food. I sort of did, but not pad Thai, as every time I came across a street vendor making it, I wasn’t hungry enough to want any. And I didn’t eat any bugs though I was happy to film other people doing it. Honestly, as adventurous as I can be, biting into a silk worm was just not going to happen.

By the time I found the pad Thai, I wasn’t hungry. It was a bit harder to find than I expected!

Some would roll their eyes at the lack of what so many know to be the typical Thai experiences most people have when they visit, but I would argue that my experiences in Thailand were anything but lacking. One short visit felt more like a tasting of something so much bigger making it impossible to share in one single post.

So, instead, I decided to share my #DiscoverThainess experience in the little pieces that meant so much to me, with the first one being the afternoon our group took a boat ride down the Mekong River while visiting the small village of Chiang Khan in Loei, Thailand.

The people here were some of the friendliest I have ever met anywhere.

Located in the North-Eastern part of Thailand and thus one of the coolest areas of the country, I was spared the intensity of the heat I briefly experienced while in Bangkok. Not many international tourists visit here, but national visitors flock the area annually to escape the summer heat.

I love everything about this area, but taking in the sunset and local views of farmers and fishermen at work while on the Mekong is one of those travel-dreams-come-true that I still can’t put into words. So, I thought it best to share it all through photography in the hopes that you will understand just how special it was.

View of Laos

Sunset over Mekong

I just found out that Uniworld luxury river cruises offers Mekong River cruises as well! Check them out! (And read about my cruise experience with them through the Aquitaine!)

Don’t miss: Images of Chiang Khan.

Photography is property of the publisher and may not be used without consent of GirlGoneTravel.com

Disclosure: My first trip to Asia was sponsored by Thailand Tourism and their partners, and I was invited to experience what they have in store for those planning to attend this year’s TBEX Asia conference in October of 2015. All opinions are my own.

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