As beautiful as the Philippines is, many destinations offer mostly sand and surf. But not Bohol. Apart from its many white sand beaches and world-class dive sites, Bohol is known for unique attractions that you can’t find anywhere else in the Philippines. Curiosities like the Chocolate Hills and the Philippine Tarsier come foremost to mind.
After experiencing Yee Peng in 2017, I wanted to write an article describing the ins and outs of the festival, something that could answer important questions about the event in a single post. If you’re looking to attend the 2019 Yee Peng Festival, then I hope you find this guide useful.
What drew me to Elephant Nature Park is it’s “no elephant riding” policy. There are no bull hooks here, no elephants forced to kick soccer balls or paint for the entertainment of tourists. Instead, the park functions as a true rescue center and animal reserve.
Many people who visit Chiang Mai do bucket-list-worthy activities like visiting an elephant sanctuary or attending the Yee Peng or Songkran festivals. But there’s a lot you can do within the Old City as well, less epic but equally memorable things like cafe hopping or conversing with monks.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai may not be as unique as Chiang Rai’s White Temple, or as grand as Wat Pho in Bangkok, but for me, it’s the most beautiful. It’s a striking temple and my favorite thus far in Thailand.
When looking for accommodations, the most important things for us are value, cleanliness, and location. When we find a place like Sherloft that’s stylish on top of all that, it’s a major plus. Highly recommended in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Rai is regarded as the northernmost “large city” in Thailand, though it isn’t actually that big. It’s much smaller and less developed as a tourist destination than neighboring Chiang Mai. It’s perhaps best known for Wat Rong Khun, a striking all-white structure that serves as both a Buddhist temple and an art exhibition.
Major attractions like Wat Rong Khun and Baan Dam Museum are located outside of the city, but there are a few lesser known temples you can visit within the city’s limits. They aren’t as spectacular as the White Temple but they do make for a pleasant few hours of temple hopping without the distraction of crowds.
Wat Rong Khun may the most popular but it isn’t Chiang Rai’s only draw. There are two other attractions close to the city that are worthy of your itinerary – Baan Dam Museum, aka Black House, and Wat Rong Suea Ten, otherwise known as the Blue Temple. You can visit all three in half a day.
Gaggan is a restaurant in Bangkok, Thailand named after owner and executive chef, Gaggan Anand. It’s currently ranked number seven on the list of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. In 2017, it received two stars with the recent release of the first ever Bangkok Michelin Guide.