Travel Review: Anniversary Vacation in Thailand, Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, White Temple, Elephant Experience, Cooking Class

     There were so many memorable parts of our trip, it is hard to pick just a few!

    Our first hotel was in Ayutthaya on the river. What an amazing first experience in Thailand!  The hotel was unique in its small size and Thai artwork and charm. We could sit on the intimate patio on the river and see the Wat across the river. The staff was helpful and the breakfasts were delicious.

     Being able to have a private guide for each site added an intimacy to the trip. We were able to go at our own pace and have all our questions answered. We saw many Budhas and Wats and learned about the history of Thailand.

     The White Temple near Chaing Rai was so amazing!  No photographs can do it justice! Being there in person was another amazing experience. The sheer beauty of the temple and grounds was overwhelming. We would recommend this stop to anyone traveling in the area.

    Our elephant experience at an elephant sanctuary was truly unique as well. Being able to feed the elephants, interact with several females, two babies and two teenagers was fun! The mud bath and river splashing was also great!  I asked one of the handlers to have the elephant spray me with a shower.  When will this ever happen again?!  So much fun!

     A Thai cooking class is a must! This was also a great way to spend a day. The outdoor facilities were pretty impressive. The cooking school we attended was shooting a video for television the day we arrived!  We were able to learn how to cook and prepare five dishes that were all so tasty!  The day was paced so we could enjoy cooking and eating each course. We also received an autographed cookbook to take home for future cooking and reference. 

     We had time to visit night markets in two cities. These were very fun as well. The number and array of items was fun. My husband tried crickets, we found many souvenirs to bring home and got to sample Thai ice cream and Popsicles at the  night markets. These are not to be missed.