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While we all #stayin due to the current situation around COVID-19, reminiscing, and dreaming about our past and future travels are totally acceptable. Don’t we all love to vicariously live through our favourite travel bloggers’ amazing travel stories? Through #TNLRevisits, we get your most loved travel bloggers to spill the beans about their favourite places, off-the-radar destinations, and about countless other experiences that they have encountered through their journeys. Shramona Poddar popularly known as mishti.and.meat tells us what makes Thailand a great travel destination and why we need to head there once #coronabegone. By Amitha Ameen
1. Tell us about your fondest trip of 2019?
My fondest travel destination from last year would be Thailand. I had visited Khao Sok, Krabi, Koh Phangan, and Bangkok; it was a lovely experience.
2. If you have to revisit the same place once travel bans are lifted, how differently would you explore the place this time around?
Even the last time I visited Thailand, I was a mindful traveller. In the sense, I carried my own bottle, steel straws, and my own tote bag so that I wouldn’t have to use plastic anywhere. I will continue to travel in the same way in the future as well. Apart from that, one other thing I would like to do next time around is shop more from the local artisans. Thailand majorly depends on tourism for its economy and so in order to contribute, I will shop from the locals.
And of course, I will take many more photos and videos. This lockdown has made me realise how important it is to make memories. Those that I have clicked on my phone are what helps me get through this period on many days. So yes, I will create more travel memories.
3. Do you remember meeting and interacting with locals there?
People in Thailand were wonderful. In Khao Sok, which is an offbeat place in Thailand, I stayed in a pretty homestay. It was off-season so I think we were the only souls there apart from the owner of the homestay, who barely knew English; we often conversed in broken English with each other. We would use Google translate and try to explain tidbits about our culture to him. I have fond memories of those conversations.
In another instance, I was on the beach in Krabi and it was a low-tide period. While tourists may have been unhappy about the water receding, it made a group of mothers and children very happy. Curious, I went to see what was happening and discovered that they were collecting shells, which is possible only during the low tide, to make shell jewellery which they sell for a living. The conversations I had with them and the personal connections I made that day are very close to my heart.
4. Tell us about the hidden gems you discovered there.
I do a lot of research to explore hidden gems in the places I travel to. One of the hidden gems that I explored would be Khao Sok which is a national forest in South Thailand. South Thailand is mostly known for its beaches and parties but this place is still untouched by tourists. It was so beautiful; we stayed in the middle of a huge lake that was surrounded by forests. There were these small floating huts in the lake along with kayaks; we would often go swimming too.
It was one of the most surreal places I have ever visited. From there we would go on treks where half of our bodies would be submerged underwater. I am so glad I put this place on my itinerary and it was one of the most beautiful places I had visited in Thailand.
Lastly, after a lot of research, I found out about this waterfall called Huay Toh that not a lot of people know of. We rented bikes and had to cross jungles and parks to reach the waterfall. It was a three-stepped waterfall and we had the place all to ourselves for almost three hours. We went skinny-dipping and had the best time there. It’s definitely one of the hidden gems in Krabi.
5. What about food memories? Any particular local food that you would like to recommend?
Thailand is full of delicious food. I would often find myself looking at a dish on the menu and Googling it to figure out what it was and how it looks. But having said that, Thailand is known for its street food. Two dishes I would recommend would be Pad Thai and Mango Sticky Rice.
During one of my previous trips to Thailand with my family, I had indulged in some guavas topped with a special kind of spice in Bangkok. That taste stayed with me all through these years, so on my last trip I made sure to find these guava-selling street vendors, and the taste was exactly how I remembered it.
The pancakes that they sell on the streets everywhere are also really delicious.
6. Give our readers five reasons on why should they visit this place once the pandemic evaporates?
– Thailand has so much to offer. North Thailand has so many mountains and treks while South Thailand is full of beaches and has a vibrant nightlife. The country has amazing food, lakes, waterfalls, and national forests. It has something to offer for every type of traveller out there.
– There is a huge variety of street food on offer and that is not only delicious but also reasonably priced.
– The people in Thailand are the warmest that I have come across during my travels. They make you feel at home.
– Thailand is especially great for budget travellers (as long as you plan well).
– Thailand has been really safe for me so far and is great for solo travellers. The people have deep-rooted traditions and are helpful. It is a great destination even for a first-time international solo traveller.
7. How are you coping with the lockdown?
I am quite happy to be away from the ‘rat race’ for a while. And, there are definitely good and bad days but I have embraced them. I try to look for a purpose every day because that is very important. I spend a lot of time doing household chores and I try to create different things that make me happy. I go back to writing and try to write every day. I try to keep myself busy and have a designated time for watching the news. It has been going well and I am still hopeful.
8. Where would you travel to when things get back to normalcy?
I had plans of going to the North East so let’s see if that happens. But I don’t know how long will it take for the travel industry to operate seamlessly. So when the lockdown ends, I would definitely want to go grab some beer with my friends and do the usual. And, just be grateful for being able to do this and not taking it for granted.
Kashmir is also a place that I wanted to visit before the lockdown.
Related: From Adventure To Wellness, Here’s The Ultimate Way To Plan A Trip To Thailand
