Nathan and I just returned from what could only be the most memorable vacation we’ve ever had.  It was exhausting, hot, frustrating, challenging, and yet amazingly unforgettable.

We learned a lot about each other that could never be discovered without a trip like this.  When you don’t know anyone, the cultural norms are confusing, and you can’t communicate effectively with everyone, it takes a lot of finding yourself to figure out how to cope.  Almost like being a child and just not knowing what you’re doing.  Add to that trying to figure these things out while keeping up with someone else having the same problems, and you get a large, healthy dose of personal and marital growth.

Together we learned the friendship zone.  When we are trying to figure out how to adjust, Nathan and I end up treating each other like best friends and not as husband/wife.  In some ways it is really good, because we are just generally happy going places and figuring it out as ‘buds’, but in some ways it is bad, because we forget to adjust according to how the other person is feeling and we lose the romance of the place we’re in (though that is also challenging when you’re in a city that doesn’t really accept holding hands, touching, etc).

I learned a few things on my own about myself, some good some bad.  Like:

1. Jet lag is no joke.  It took me three days there to feel like myself, and two days of solid sleep when I got back to the US.
2. Air conditioning is mandatory.  If I’m in a hot, humid place, I just don’t adjust well unless I have no choice.
3. Sickness is going to happen.  I am always going to get sick in a new place.  It might be a quick sickness or it might be a couple days.  I have to arrive prepared for it.
4. Packing is frustrating.  I’m never going to be satisfied with how much or how little I pack for trips.  It just is the way it is.
5.  Cultural shock does exist.  It may come in a short wave of depression about a ridiculously minor thing.  Mine was about eating somewhere too expensive.  I have to plan for it and understand that it happens.
6. I have an unhealthy bias of cab drivers.  Seriously.  I have met lots of really nice, sympathetic cab drivers over the years.  But for some reason, I automatically always think they are trying to scam me.

I also learned a lot of things about Thailand which I think might be helpful to other people thinking of visiting.

1. If you need toilet paper, carry a pack of tissues or a couple handfuls of it with you at all times.  It is very rare in Thailand to find toilet tissue around the toilet.  If you do find it, it probably costs.  Similarly, Thai people do not flush toilet paper.  You wipe, and you put it in the bin provided.  Who knew, toilet paper messes up the pipes.  The Thai people do!  So be aware there are a lot of different kinds of toilets (some standing plate ones, some seat ones, some pour-one-bucket-of-water-into-toilet ones) and none of them accept toilet paper.  Be prepared!
2. I read online that tampons are really hard to find in Thailand.  I never looked, so I really don’t know.  This is just one of those things, if you think it might happen, take a box with you in your suitcase.
3. Thailand is a very modest country.  You need to wear longer shorts than normal and shirts that cover your shoulders in most places.  I got away with wearing capris and tank tops, but not on temple-touring day.  I just carried a maxi skirt and light rain jacket with me in a backpack and was totally prepared.  On the islands, you can get away with short-shorts and bikinis, but that’s because the Europeans do it.  The Thai people still don’t think you’re doing the right thing, but it’s easier to get away with it when you’re on the beach.
4. Very rarely will you need to pay more than 200B (about $6) for a tuk-tuk in Bangkok.  They like to tell you the trip will be 600B, but we literally had a guy drive us to three different temples over three hours for 100B ($3).  On the islands the tuk-tuks are more expensive.  It’s a better market for them.  There, I would expect to pay around 300-600B ($9-18) per trip.
5. Don’t rent a scooter.  It looks like a really good idea, because all the backpackers do it.  They look so happy driving around.  Don’t do it!!  They will require you to leave your passport (NO) or pay them a ridiculous amount of money as a deposit.  Then, one scratch you can’t prove was there before you got it and you’re looking at a hefty payment or a talk with the police who may not be on your side.  We saw at least three different people with road rash from driving them, and you can only guess what the scooter looked like when they returned it.  I know it looks convenient, but it is just a bad idea.  If you refuse to agree with me, I would suggest you take a LOT of photos when you pick it up and time stamp them.
6. Everyone drives like crazy in Thailand.  I don’t think there is a speed limit and if there is, no ones pays attention to it.  They will hit you if you’re in the road.  This is true if you’re on foot or on bike.  Similarly, they change lanes without blinkers.  Don’t rent a car!!
7. Most all the wall outlets are the same as in the US.  We took a converter, but never used it once.

I review everything on TripAdvisor, so if you want more details about the places we stayed, etc. you can find all my reviews there.  My username is hardyba9, though it displays as “Brittanie G” instead.

Places We Stayed:

• Citadines Sukhumvit 11 Bangkok, Bangkok
• Koh Tao Royal Resort, Koh Tao (well we were supposed to… we didn’t end up staying here)
• Ban’s Diving Resort, Koh Tao
• Urban Guesthouse, Chaweng Beach Koh Samui
• Conrad Koh Samui Resort, Koh Samui

If you have any questions about our trip, let us know!! We’re happy to share tips, etc. 🙂