Most famously known for its sun, sand and sea, Thailand will make your heart melt! Nobody has ever said no to a little bit of heat when its accompanied by sandcastles, waves, authentic Thai massages and yes, lots of Pad Thai!

~ Where to stay ~

While the capital city of Bangkok does not get much traction, it’s the islands of Thailand that are the stuff of castaway fantasies. From Koh Samui to Koh Lanta to Koh Tao, every island is more stunning than the last and align so perfectly to form this tropical paradise!

So which of these beauties did I pick for my trip to Thailand – Phuket!

Phuket is the biggest and busiest island. It has every western world comfort you desire – from celebrated eateries, to world class chef’s, to an impressive list of six star resorts for you to pick from. Renting out a villa by the beach may have sounded too good to be true before this post – but not anymore, not in this place!

~ Must-Do in Phuket ~

Island Hopping

It’s not surprising that this tops my list of things to do in Thailand. Rent a yacht for the day and cruise along. Make quick pit stops on different beaches and soak in that sunshine! Tip: Don’t forget your flippers and snorkels before you get on that boat, you’re going to need them!

Big Buddha

A relatively recent addition to the island, the Big Buddha cost approximately 30 million baht to construct and is definitely worth a look. Even better – catch a glimpse of it from the sundeck of your boat if you’re planning an exploration path towards the south of Phuket.

Phi Phi Island

The allure of Phi Phi island calls out to many who visit Thailand. With it being the topic of conversation among tourists and it being featured in the movies, the hype surrounding this popular tourist destination is not surprising at all. Comprising of two main islands, Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don, while one is free of human inhabitants the other is free of roads. This makes it one of the few places in the world that is untouched and truly breathtaking.

Water Sports

Phuket’s beaches have it all, from jet skiing to parasailing to banana boats. Reserving a warm sunny day to do some adventurous water sports is an absolute must do!

Bangla road nightlife

Patong’s Bangla road comes to life at sunset. With most bars being outdoors, and the music blending into a melodic symphony, this will definitely be a night to remember.

Authentic Thai Massage(s)

There’s nothing more relaxing then the scent of lavender and jasmine in the air. Being in Thailand, it’s only fair to indulge in a little bit of heaven. From body wraps to hot stone massages, these will leave you feeling rejuvenated and at pure ecstasy.

Phuket FantaSea Show

This captivating and fun show takes place on Kamala Beach between 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm everyday except Thursday, when the show runs from 8:30 pm. This piece combines Thai culture with fantasy and humor. The use of different elements such as trapeze artists and elephants makes it a very unique Las Vegas-style show.

Thai food… yummm

Last but not the least, fulfill a lifetime’s worth of Thai cravings…

How I dream of taking my entire closet with me when I vacation! The countless number of times I’ve had to sit on my suitcase to zip it shut or pay extra money just to carry an extra pair of shoes… ah the agony.

Over the years I’ve learnt ~ all I really needed to do was to pack smarter and better. So here’s unleashing the code to effective packing, because let’s face it, when you’re traveling – every inch counts!

1. Rolling Your Clothes

You will find yourself with a great deal of extra space if you were to roll your clothes instead of folding them.

2. Stuff Your Shoes

If you’re carrying any modestly sized bottles on your trip – don’t be shy to stuff them inside your shoes.

3. Wear Your Heaviest Clothes

Be sure to pair your bulkiest jacket with your heaviest pair of shoes while you travel. This way, you avoid having to pack them in your suitcase.

4. Line Your Collar

A shout out to all the gentlemen out there – if keeping your collar stiff is a top priority, roll your belt and line it along the inside collar of your favorite shirt.

5. Strategize Your Choice of Purse

Replace your miniature sized purse with a spacious duffle bag as your 1 personal item on board a flight. This gives you plenty of room to lighten your check-in baggage last minute or indulge in some spontaneous shopping!

6. Carry-on Baggage

Place your heaviest items (with the exception of liquids and gels of course) in your hand stroller. Airlines are usually more concerned about the dimensions of your bag (so that it fits in the overhead locker) rather than the actual weight of your bag (double check with your carrier just to make sure).

7. Bag It

If you foresee a shopping frenzy on the horizon, you’ve got to try this trick! Simply place a slightly smaller sized bag inside your regular suitcase, this gives you the choice of using that spare bag when you’re traveling back to your home country and ensures that you don’t spend that precious shopping budget on purchasing a new suitcase instead.

8. Optimize, optimize, optimize!

Be sure to use ALL the space available at your disposal. This includes those outside pockets we often neglect.

If your only worry is that it might get lost or stolen, I would place something less valuable in there like your pyjamas.