Of Beaches, Sanctuaries, and Caves- Dr. Kriti’s Thai Adventure with Thrillophilia
We had no clue that our Thailand anniversary trip with Thrillophilia would turn out to be such a treat.
When we had booked this trip, which was months before we actually got married, we had a picture in our minds where we would swim and swirl in each other’s arms in Phi Phi islands. But eventually, we ended up doing much more than that…
And that includes playing with seals, orangutans, elephants, and, brace yourselves ... even TIGERS!
I personally had no clue that Thailand was so diverse in wildlife and vegetation, with so many varieties of plants, flowers, and animal species adding layer after layer of excitement and natural beauty to the whole vacation.
To experience such intimate interactions in the lap of this tropical rainforest was no less than a dreamy encounter, one we did not expect to have on our anniversary.
Celebration of Love
So, it was our personal festival, and we had come up with our own traditions for the same. Since these customs were going on from the very first day of our honeymoon, I had grown to despise a few of them - like the part where we start and end our trip with a fine dining experience.
And because this was our anniversary trip, all of the traditions were to be followed.
It was our very first day in Thailand and we had a nice river cruise planned along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. I wore my best cocktail outfit and we doubled down on our game to have a great night ahead.
After smacking our lips on the saucy flavours of Thai food, we went for a night walk around the Chatuchak Friday Night Market. It was a very vibrant experience, the market was open throughout the night and it offered us a glimpse into the culture of the region. With food stalls selling unique delicacies whose names we were hearing for the first time and with the souvenir shops selling bead necklaces and cane sculptures, we had a lovely time.
The riot of colours in the market was a treat to the soul!
Nature’s Blessings
The best part of the trip was when we went to the Safari Park and Marine World. We had the feeling of entering a real animal kingdom when we stepped inside this place. The whole atmosphere of the place was so natural, filled with greenery and designated places to make the natural habitats of animals. There were pools for seals, tall trees for orangutans, and elephants who were trumpeting their hearts out as if rejoicing to see new faces in the park!
They were all so friendly and well-trained, kudos to the management and caretaker team of the park for doing such a marvellous job. We did not feel scared or threatened at any point, as the animals were trained to be accustomed to humans.
This brings us to the second ritual- we would try a new activity, something we have never done before-
A visit to the Tiger Kingdom in Phuket where we actually got the chance to walk and pat a LIVING TIGER! Who would have imagined it to be possible to pet a wild animal, that too in a sanctuary! Yeah, places like these do exist, but the sheer exotic nature of this activity is sure to throw the first-timer off-guard.
This majestic black-stripped beast was the embodiment of dignity. His roars and yawns were magnificent, and to take pictures of us three walking together- oh what a day!
The Beach Break
Our 4-islands tour in Krabi was simply magical.
The coral reef vistas and the sea mounts covered in lush green vegetation against the blue ocean waters made for a picturesque landscape. We could spend some amazing time together on Tup Island, laughing and making memories to last a lifetime. And the speed boat ride to Poda Island left us with some unforgettable sights… I never imagined sea views could turn so spectacular.
Finally, by dusk, we had arrived at Phranang Cave Beach. And to witness a sunset from there was an inexplicable feeling. We felt as if we were spiralling into an abyss of thoughts- of the past and of the future, and then riveting back to the present, thinking that this is the time when we can be the truest form of ourselves.
Krabi was not just about beaches, we also went to the Emerald pool and hot spring waterfalls and wrapped up our day with a quick visit to the serene Buddha Statue at the Tiger Cave Temple.
Rides as unique as the TukTuks
We did a major part of our sightseeing tour of Phuket in a tuk-tuk. We wanted to have the experience of taking local rides in Thailand, or else the trip would have been incomplete for us.
There is a strange beauty in the wrath of Mother Nature. On the day of our excursion to the Phi Phi Islands, we saw the sky get gloomier by the minute. It changed the entire vibe of the place. The sea looked sad, and the winds seemed angry. It was equally scary and heartfelt.
I was a bit sceptical about taking the boat ride on that day, but our guide assured us that nothing would befall us and that it was safe to take the ride.
We sped past cliffs and sea mounts, revolving our heads to gaze at the top of the mounts every now and then, or pointing out some faraway spot at the people parasailing or jet skiing.
Our visit to the Viking Caves was made better with a quick swim and an extensive exploration of the ancient paintings on the cave walls. I felt a sense of thrill and a rush of adrenaline as I waded through the water here…I just could not take my eyes away from the faraway horizon of the ocean, it was a dreamy experience to have swam in the waters under gurgling clouds.
This trip turned out to be a lovely one for both of us. And we are truly thankful to Thrillophilia for making this trip a massive success!
Read More: Thrillophilia Thailand Reviews