Hey adventurer! 👋 

Happy Wednesday, I hope you’ve had a wonderful start to the week!

I’m back! 😝 

You see, no accountability for me = the newsletter does not get done.

If you’re wondering what I’m on about…

I did an accountability challenge with my friends, where we were all sending one newsletter a week until we all got to Chiang Mai. And it worked, until everyone arrived and I didn’t have the pressure to do it anymore.

What’s been happening?

I came home (back to Ireland) at the end of January and I’ve done quite a few content days with clients, landed a few brand collabs which have kept me busy and I’ve been to a few events in Dublin too.

I live in the west of Ireland and Dublin is almost 3 hours away, so it’s quite hard to attend things there without committing a whole day to it, and then my work suffers a little.

It’s been nice to see some of my friends, and clients, but it’s also been tough mentally. From my last 4 months in Chiang Mai, I’m used to getting out for a coffee first thing in the morning and eating out twice a day, going for drives, being warm, playing volleyball, hanging out with a bunch of friends, working in different coffee shops, and a lot of that just isn’t there in Ireland - especially here in the west. So I’ve been struggling a little, but I’m off to Vietnam in 2 weeks, so I’ll just run away from that haha!!!

You may have noticed that I cancelled my group trips to Nepal and Vietnam too - I just didn’t feel like they were getting the traction I had hoped for, and that’s okay. I’m happy I put the opportunity out into the world 😊 

Let’s talk solo travel…

I recently shared my top 3 places for solo travellers in collaboration with SafetyWing - my favourite travel medical insurance.

They offer two insurance options:

1️⃣ monthly travel medical insurance for mid-to-short-term travellers

2️⃣ a comprehensive monthly health package for long-term nomads

The best parts of getting cover with SafetyWing:

• you can start the cover at any point of your trip

• you can opt in to a monthly subscription OR buy a set period of cover

No. 1 on the list was… THAILAND.

Alongside Kyrgyzstan and Sri Lanka.

But for this newsletter, I wanted to touch more on Thailand and share some info about this beautiful country with you, in case you want to visit!

Some things to know before travelling to Thailand

Seasons and weather 🌤️🌧️

Thailand has three main seasons:

• Cool season (Nov–Feb): Best time to visit, with comfortable temperatures and little rain.

• Hot season (Mar–May): Intense heat, especially in central and northern Thailand.

• Rainy season (Jun–Oct): Heavy downpours but still great for lush landscapes and fewer tourists.

If you're island hopping, note that the east (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) and west (Phuket, Krabi) coasts have slightly different rainy seasons.

Losing face and Thai etiquette 🙏

Thailand has a really interesting culture, and there are a lot of things you should keep in mind when visiting - as there is nothing worse than tourists who come into the country and act with zero respect (ehem I’m looking at you guys wearing no t-shirt right in Chiang Mai Old Town in about 25 degrees with the closest beach 100s of kms away!!! - please do not do this)

• "Losing face" is a big deal in Thai culture. Avoid public arguments, raising your voice, or showing frustration, as it’s seen as disrespectful.

• The Wai (palms together, slight bow) is a common greeting - return it if someone offers it to you. Accompany this by sawadee + ka (if you are a woman) or kap/khrub (different ways to pronounce it, if you are a man).

• Respect the monarchy. Speaking negatively about the royal family is illegal in Thailand.

• Take off your shoes before entering temples, homes, and some shops / service providers like dentists / massage parlours. You’ll see a sign, or lots of shoes outside or spare sliders/slippers to change into. Use these.

Markets & Street Food Hacks 🍜🛍️

• Thailand’s street food is delicious and safe (choose busy stalls for extra precaution), and so is the ice. Selling and delivering ice is a big business.

• Haggling is expected at markets but do it with a smile and be polite. Do not do this where the price is displayed and don’t haggle someone down to nothing, as 50 cent / 1 euro is a lot of money to market stall owners who work really hard!

• Carry cash (small bills are best), as many market stalls don’t accept cards.

Scooters & transport tips 🛵🚕

• Renting a scooter is common but risky if you don’t have experience. Thai traffic is chaotic, and accidents are frequent.

• You need an international driving permit (IDP) to legally drive in Thailand. If you don’t have one, you risk invalidating your insurance and getting fined by Thai police.

• Always wear a helmet - police stop foreigners often and you don’t want your brain splattered on the road, do you?

• Use Grab or Bolt (Asia’s taxi hailing apps) for taxis instead of tuk-tuks, which often overcharge tourists.

• If you take a tuk-tuk, agree on a price before hopping in.

Scams ⚠️

Beware of scams, especially:

• The “Grand Palace is closed” scam (it’s not - walk to the entrance and check).

• Overpriced taxi/tuk-tuk rides - use Grab or insist on a meter in taxis.

• Jet ski and motorbike rental scams - some claim you damaged the vehicle and demand large payments. Take photos of the rental before driving.

• Personal opinion: I think scams are very rare in Chiang Mai (in the north) and I feel extremely safe living there.

1-month itinerary 🇹🇭 

After spending over 2 years in Thailand, I’ve put together a brief 1-month itinerary to help you experience the best of Thailand.

Days 1-5: Bangkok & Surrounds

Spend 3-5 days exploring the bustling capital. Visit the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho. Take a boat ride through the floating markets, enjoy authentic street food, and experience the vibrant nightlife of Khao San Road. Take a day trip to Ayutthaya to see ancient ruins or head to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

Days 6-18: Northern Thailand – Chiang Mai, Pai & Chiang Rai

Dedicate 10-14 days exploring the cultural gems of the north. In Chiang Mai, take a cooking class, explore Doi Suthep, and enjoy the famous Night Bazaar or Saturday / Sunday night markets. Enjoy the coffee scene, eat good food and explore the surrounding nature. Then, head to Pai for scenic landscapes, waterfalls, and hot springs. Wrap up in Chiang Rai with the stunning White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) and the Blue Temple.

Days 19-30: Islands & Beaches

Head south to Phuket, and Krabi for stunning beaches, island hopping, and unreal sunsets. Or go to some quieter islands such as Koh Lanta, Koh Yao Noi and the Similan Islands for beaches and diving. Koh Tao is also a huge diving spot but is a little hard to get to - so take that into consideration. I would also highly recommend visiting the beautiful Khao Sok National Park and maybe staying in the famous floating bungalows.

Are you planning a trip to Thailand soon?

Reach out to me on Instagram and let me know your travel plans - I’d love to hear from you!

Happy travels!

Some bits you may be interested in

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Ev x