[mikaelluioy]

A couple of years ago, my partner and I decided to quit our jobs, and fly to various locations around the world.

The last two stops on that trip were Bangkok and Phuket. I can honestly say without a doubt, that we had unwittingly saved the best for last.

It was my second journey leaving Australia, so I had no idea what to expect... except a lot of sanuk!

After travelling in mainly first world countries... I had thought Thailand was just a cheap way to end our holiday and take in some sun before returning home.

How wrong I was!!!!!!

We were pretty much exhausted and fed up with people after trying to fit so much in and when you're travelling (i'm sure you've all known how it feels to always be the outsider), some countries make a point of it... to be greeted with such warmth and luminosity at the airport by a stranger was enough to nearly make me feel as though I was home already!

I love to barter.... I hadn't realised the extent of it until I'd visited nearly every single markets in Bangkok - Lucky my partner loves to shop as much as I do!

The unusual smells, the humidity and the buzz amongst the people there had me incensed to come back as soon as I could!

Phuket/Phi Phi was some of the most stunning coastline I have had the chance to view with my own eyes... I could not get past being able to go into some random cafe on a hillside and strike up a genuinely fun conversation with some stranger, who, by the time you go to leave is a friend

Since leaving....and arriving back in Australia (You couldn't shut either of us up about Thailand or wipe the smile off our faces) I have been learning some Thai in preparation for our return... that was always a definite on our list.

I fell in love with this country on that trip, I fly back to Bangkok with my partner on the 29th March... this time we hope to travel more of southeast Asia and get to spend more time in Thailand... for it definitely is the land of smiles... mine included.