I'd just finished my last module at university. The GMTs had sold out. It felt like the right time to go somewhere. So I booked Thailand, packed the Great White and the Monteverde, and went.
No real agenda. Just north to south, see what happens.
Bangkok
Nothing can prepare you for Bangkok. The second you land it hits you, overstimulating, hectic, loud, brilliant. Khao San Road alone is an experience. People offering you happy water left and right, still not entirely sure what that is, still said no. But the city itself is incredible. Hands down the best skyline I have ever seen. I paid a completely outrageous amount for an espresso martini at a rooftop bar overlooking the whole city and I'd do it again without hesitation. Worth every baht.
I also explored the shopping malls which are on a completely different level to anything we have here, visited some of the temples, and went to the first ever Muay Thai stadium. If you ever get the chance to watch a live fight in Bangkok, go.
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai felt like something out of Jurassic Park. So much greenery, waterfalls everywhere, jungle in every direction. Beautiful. I'm also surprised I have any blood left after the mosquitoes up there but that's the price you pay.
The sticky waterfalls were the highlight. Natural limestone waterfalls where the rock is grippy enough to climb barefoot. Sounds straightforward. It is not. I spent a good while struggling my way up, slipping, grabbing at rocks, fully soaked. Coming back down was its own challenge. Good fun, would do it again.
I also went to see the elephants, which was everything people say it is. And I got a Thai massage which absolutely nobody prepared me for. I walked out feeling like I'd been beaten up. Painful experience. Also somehow a great experience. Recommend it.
The food though. Chiang Mai is where Khao Soi comes from and it is unbelievable. Genuinely beats my local chippy and that is not a comparison I make lightly.
Krabi
Then south to Krabi. Scenic doesn't cover it. My favourite beach of the whole trip was here. We also visited some of the areas affected by the 2004 tsunami which was a sobering experience. Seeing the history of what happened there puts things in perspective.
Koh Samui
Koh Samui was jungle ziplining, jetskis on the beach, and good bars. I took the Monteverde on the ziplines which felt fitting. Fast, smooth, no complaints from the watch or from me.
Koh Tao
Last stop was Koh Tao and it was exactly what I needed by that point. Beaches, relaxing, snorkelling in water so clear you could see everything beneath you. I had the Great White on for the swimming and snorkelling at the surface. It's not a dive watch so I made sure to keep it within its range, no going deep. It handled everything without a second thought.
And yes, I was swimming in the ocean wearing the Great White. I was very aware of my surroundings the entire time, constantly checking, making absolutely sure I didn't come face to face with an actual great white. Fortunately the only Great White out there was on my wrist. We made it home fine.
The Watch
Both watches did the whole trip without a single issue. That's always been the point, watches built to actually be worn, not saved for special occasions. Thailand was a good reminder of that.
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