Thailand as a holiday destination was pure indulgence for me. For nearly three weeks my days consisted of eating, drinking, sleeping and lounging by the resort pools.  Having been to Thailand twice previously, this holiday for me was not about sightseeing or shopping, it was about spending time with friends and relaxation, and that’s exactly what I did.

I spent the first part of my journey on the island of Koh Tao celebrating a friends 40th birthday.  Melenie and her husband Richard had been to the island previously which meant when it came to making decisions about what to do and where to eat, it was generally covered.  I was more than happy to go with the flow.

Koh Tao was definitely my pick of the trip.  The clear waters make it a popular spot for diving and snorkelling.  It has a lovely laid back vibe, great restaurants to eat at and it has enough of a nightlife to get your fix if you feel up to it. Like anywhere in Thailand there are plenty of places to get a massage to help you unwind, places to do yoga and coastal walks off the beaten track if you feel like an adventure.  Topped off with great company and lots of laughter which is always good for the soul, it was an idyllic 10 days.

The second half of my time spent in Thailand was split between Koh Phangan & Koh Samui. I wasn’t intending to go to Koh Phangan having experienced the full moon party years ago, but two friends had recommended Haad Yuan beach and The Sanctuary in Haad Thian. I was keen to spend the week doing yoga, meditating and lying on the beach. But unfortunately The Sanctuary only had one room available and with months of travel ahead of me, sadly the room was over my budget. Instead I stayed at the Pariya Beach Resort in Haad Yuan. Having not planned anything for India apart from an arrival flight into the country, I had visualised spending the week in Haad Yuan organising the first part of my trip and attending The Sanctuary’s daily yoga and meditation classes (which are open to anyone) in preparation for conquering India. However with poor wifi and 3G connections after four days in Haad Yuan I moved to wifi heaven in Koh Samui, and this is where the pure indulgence of my holiday really kicked in.  I had absolutely no desire on Koh Samui to go sightseeing, or party away in Chaweng Beach.  I ate, I slept, I lounged by the pool and caught up on episodes of House Of Cards.  Pure heaven.  I only ventured into Chaweng Beach twice and it was enough to prepare and ease me back into reality in preparation for my last stop on the itinerary, Bangkok.