Yayy! Finally heading to the beach for the weekend.
This time I’m going to Hua Hin, no more than 200km drive from home. Luckily for me the weather is looking great. I can’t wait to soak up some sun and dip my toes into the ocean while sipping on fruit shakes and coconuts. I’ve been extremely tired this week as well as I’ve been doing my Thai classes every morning until noon for the past month and also just started boxing 5 days a week on top of my lifting routine. So yeah, I’m really excited to do nothing else than relaxing. Hopefully I’ll be fully recharged for whatever next week has to offer!
We usually go to Pranburi when we go to Prachuap Khiri Khan as Tom has his beach house there. But this time I’ll be heading with my friend as she needed a +1 for her stay at Resort De Paskani, so Hua Hin it is! Check it out. How could I say no to that?
There’s no secret that I love music festivals and luckily for me, Thailand has many.
808 Festival, Together Festival, Maya Festival, Mystic Valley, Transmission festival and Wonderfruit to name a few along with some amazing solo artists visiting us frequently. There’s no end to the crazy line-ups coming here. Most festivals have a focus on music, mainly EDM, House or Trance, but Wonderfruit, along with the focus on music, also puts emphasis on so much more. There are talks, activities (yoga, meditation, art classes), culinary experiences and more, but it’s also the feeling of just stepping onto the grounds. It’s nearly a perfect experience from start to finish. A wonderland with something for us adults, youngsters and families alike.
Same same, but different
This year they changed the location of the festival, but it was still held in the same area, at Siam Country Club. There was much more land to play around at, but unfortunately the ground was still not in optimal condition. Some bumps along the way can get annoying once you’ve had a drink too many. Or are walking around half asleep waiting for the sun to rise. Because you do want to catch sunrise at the solar stage! I’m sure it’s going to get better next year. That’s one thing Wonderfruit never fails with, and that’s improving and evolving every year.
Life changing experience
I got to experience the festival with a new set of eyes this year, and it really made me appreciate the work that goes in to the details. Every structure is carefully planned out to make it the perfect trip through the wonderland we all know as Wonderfruit. This year’s entrance was grand, with inviting wooden letters reaching out for you as you entered the ground. From there on a path of adventure was laid out for you. Firstly, with dancing umbrellas welcoming you, waiving their arms at you. If you actually stopped to enjoy every structure at the festival, as we chose to do on Friday, it can take you hours before you actually get in to the main ground. Everything is just so beautiful. People dressing up in colourful outfits, full of glitter, having fun! Seeing the smiles on your friends faces… on everyone’s face. Pure bliss.
Solar stage for sunset and sunrise
Then, it’s solar stage for sunset. Sunset is the most beautiful thing about the festival. It has to be done at Solar stage. At least on the main days (Friday and Saturday). Sit down in the grass. Look at the structure that is solar stage as the sun sets. Amazing tunes to go to the beat of the sun slowly setting in the fields. It has to be experienced. Creatures of the night dancing in sync with the music. Fire show around the grounds. Thai dancers lurking around the stage. Dragons dancing at your feet. It’s like they are performing just for you and you are in the centre of everything. I tell you it is life changing.
Dance into the night and eat your heart out
From there on you just dance into the night. Eat at all the amazing food that is scattered at stands and food trucks around the grounds. Drink all the drinks you please. On the last day… typically.. I found my favourite drink spot there. In the Thai area there were some creative Thai infused beverages. It’s so crazy with Wonderfruit how every day is a new experience, and you always stumble onto something new.
Where to stay
We never stay overnight the premises though. As in we don’t sleep there, but we do stay until sunrise! Though I’m sure it’s a great experience if you are able to get the air-conditioned tents while they’re still available or bring an RV. We got a villa with a bunch of friends this year, which probably will be what we do next year as well. A lot of the people we’ve met were more than happy camping on the grounds as well, so if you are not like myself (who needs air-con to sleep) then you will be just fine. There’s showers and toilets at the campgrounds. Though, if you want a fresh bathroom, clean sheets, and cold air, just google the location and you’ll be fine staying anywhere in an approx. 15 km radius.
No plastic!
Sustainability focus
I also want to add that Wonderfruit has a large focus on sustainability and this year they upped the game with reusable cups that you could pay extra for at the entrance. And in return you get a 50 baht discount for drinks inside. As well as moving one step closer to saving the world of course. A great initiative that should be followed by other festivals too. If not that, at least no plastic cups. All those drinks that gets bought during festivals…
H a p p i n e s s
Best festival in Thailand
Of every event in Thailand, of any event I’ve ever been to in the world, this is definitely the best one. It’s something to look forward to all year. So thankful for the people behind Wonderfruit and the great people who participates in it. Really, if you haven’t been you have to go!
Went to see Kygo this week and I was blown away with his performance. Perfect choice of tunes and some amazing vocal and instrumental segments.
Fantastic Crew!
So glad to finally get to see him live. I feel lame for being a Norwegian and this being my first time, but how awesome to get to see Kygo Live in Bangkok! Good organising from Teddy Time. Excited to see who they bring next!
Yes I know guys…. I disappeared after Chiang Mai. I had to recover from all the coffees, sweets and delicious foods.
But first, check out this awesome café we stumbled upon when we were in Chiang mai called Woo Café & Art Gallery. Definitely one of the most Instagrammable coffee shops I’ve ever been to. ♥
Scroll down to see all the awesome pictures!
♥The details
Annoyingly many places to snap a photo!
SMILE!
The iced coffee comes in LARGE glasses. You’ll see what I mean here.
The coffee was good and as you can see, the presentation was great! I LOVED that the coffee was served with a tiny cookie bite. We had already eaten lunch at the golf club before arriving so I can’t tell you if the food is on par with the coffee. What I can say is that it looked amazing and I deeply regret the fact that I came on a full stomach. Also, don’t forget to go upstairs and check out the art gallery. I fell in love with several of the pieces, and especially the one of two gigantic blue eyes gazing at me. You’ll know which one I’m talking about… unless it’s snatched already!
//Can you believe it, this was our private pool at Dhara Dhevi during our last stay in Chiang Mai…//
Hi lovlies.
I’m heading for a new mini adventure tomorrow. Jumping on a plane in the morning and straight to Chiang Mai. Hopefully the rain won’t be too bad. We were stuck between a beach holiday in the south or nature in the north and we both agreed that if the rain would start to pour, Chiang Mai was the place we wanted to be. We had an amazing trip to the North and Pai last year, but haven’t been in Chiang mai since our fantastic stay at Dhara Dhevi in 2014. Safe to say the city has developed a lot since our last trip. And to our pleasure I’ve heard that the café/bakery game is strong up in the north right now. Can’t wait to find spot some nice hidden gems and just enjoy the nature.
Thailand has a lot to offer in terms of scenery and culture and saying that you have a favourite place here might sound a bit rushed. But, there’s something special about Krabi that in, when people ask me for my favourite beach destination, Krabi is the first place that comes to mind.
Island hopping in Krabi. This is at Koh Tup.
It might not be unspoiled by tourists or even a hidden gem where it requires the help of locals to get to. If you do want that, you should go to Koh Krandan and the islands around Trang.The sunsetsthere are the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.
#Leapkiss at Koh Poda also known as Poda Island.
Krabi is actually quite developed and the ease of travelling there is a part of what makes it so attractive. You can literally to go there with 5 minutes of planning. Thank you internet! There are plenty of nice areas to stay depending on what you like to do, which makes it a place suitable for ANYONE.
//So happy we didn’t listen to the weather forecast. It was supposed to be raining 24/7… should have worn that sunscreen…//
There’s Ao Nang which is the “mainland” and even if it’s not the center as in Krabi town, it is the center in terms of transportation. You can get anywhere from here. This is also where the main pier to go to Railay beach is located.
For me, Ao Nang is probably not a place I would recommend to stay, but a nice place to start if you are travelling with family or you just want to relax on the beach with good restaurants, bars and nightlife.
//This year I went there with my family. It was good times.//
There are plenty of daytime activities in Krabi such as The Emerald pool, island hopping, climbing, temple exploring, night markets, beaches- you can easily rent a bike anywhere to explore by yourself. Or you can rent a private (or with groups) speedboat/long tail boat.
//Typical way to get around in the islands in Thailand. Long-tail boats…//
//Perfect place to visit for couples<3//
//That climbing scenery… don’t worry. This is just the warm-up. But hello, would you like to climb on Railay beach? Check out the scenery.//
My go-to place in Krabi will always be Railay beach. I cannot go there without visiting this place. And if I didn’t know better, I would have thought Railay was an island. That’s definitely the vibe it gives you. Reggae music, endless smiles, peacefulness and perfect sandy beaches. Strolling along the beach and eating delicious seafood. And the best of all, the rock climbing opportunities. I love bumping into travelling souls along the climbing areas. Experienced climbers and first-timers alike, they all love it.
//The guides are so chilled and fun- not on the safety side though. You’ll be happy whatever company you go with. Krabi people are a good bunch of people <3//
<3
So- if you are living in Thailand or is planning to come here, do go check out this gem of a place. The accommodation is great and affordable as well!
