UNSEEN TRAVEL AGENCY

I’ve spent a lot of time in Thailand. It’s one of my favourite countries in the world, however basic that may make me. I just can’t get enough of this beautiful, warm, and fascinating country. Ever since my first visit in 2011, I’ve made the effort to return each and every year, and with each new visit, I attempt to check out a new part of the country.  Last year, it was time to visit the Trang islands, and they fast became my favourite area in all of Thailand. And Koh Mook? My new favourite island. My first glimpse of Koh Mook, from the ferry ride to shore. Yeah, that beach looked pretty wonderful. I’d loved the previous few days I’d spent on expensive Koh Ngai, but I was excited to move on. Island-hopping in Thailand is one of my favourite pastimes so the prospect of checking out a new spot always has me bouncing around a ferry with excitement.  Koh Mook was just a seven-mile journey from Koh Ngai, so we reached the island in around ...

Koh Chang was the first Thai island I ever visited. It was 2012. Six months earlier, I had sold everything I owned, graduated from university, quit my job, and inched a tentative toe on board a plane. Though I had been terrified by the prospect of solo travel, my fears had gradually eased as I’d repeatedly left my comfort zone, and I was finally slipping into my travel groove. After half a year on the road, I had travelled to 13 new countries, vanquished my anxiety disorder, and just slid into the DMs of the person who would turn out to be the love of my life. Not only that, but I had finally arrived in Southeast Asia: the region I’d long been dreaming of visiting. I was giddy with joy as I worked hard on chasing down the life I had always dreamed of. The world of professional travel blogging was becoming a big part of that life — my jaw repeatedly dropping as I built up my income from a couple of hundred dollars a month to a couple of thousand, then began to real...

By now you may have realised that I am more than a little obsessed with themed restaurants. There was the hospital and Hello Kitty themed restaurants in Taipei, the dog cafe and cat cafe in Seoul and the Obama and hobbit themed restaurants in the Philippines. It’s safe to say that themed restaurants have now become my  “thing”  and upon arriving at a new destination the first thing I do is scout out a list of crazy and unique things to do. Bangkok was no exception. After checking into my hostel, I grabbed my bag and headed out to what was about to be my craziest themed restaurant experience by far. Cabbages and Condoms. Yes, a condom themed restaurant.  So, why the bizarre name? Simply put, the founder believes that “birth control should be as accessible and as easy to buy as vegetables in the market!” The restaurant uses jokes and fun visuals to overcome reluctance to discuss issues such as sex, family planning, and HIV/...

BANGKOK HOSTELS:  Best Overall  |  Best for Solo Travelers  |  Best Cheap Hostel  |  Best Party Hostel   Interested? PIN NOW, read later! Bangkok. The name of the city is enough for any veteran backpacker to take a big trip down memory lane. With nearly 20 million visitors a year, Forbes recently named Bangkok the world’s most travelled-to city, edging out London, Paris and Singapore. With that sort of tourism-volume, the amount of accommodation options in Bangkok is nothing short of overwhelming. Having spent too much time travelling Thailand, I made this list of the best hostels in Bangkok to find the best hostel for YOU. I’ve broken down the Bangkok hostels into categories so you can confidently pick your hostel and get to what matters – experiencing the craziness of Bangkok! Let’s look at the 20 best hostels in Bangkok.   In a hurry? Here’s my top choice: Best Overall Check Best Price   Diff Hostel Diff Hostel is my t...