Sawatdee Kaa, Hola and Hey, my fabulous honeymooners! To say I’ve been on the road loads in the past eight weeks is like saying Brad Pitt is attractive—it is inherently true. I’ve crisscrossed a few countries since February and even found a weekend to snuggle with my own special groom at the fabulous Amanyara in Turks and Caicos.
One of my favorite recent trips was a festive tour of Thailand. I’ve been to the warm (in both temperature and hospitality) Southeast Asian country before, but this trip was all about experiencing its diverse natural beauty. In the north, we stayed at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai, a jungle retreat known for its celebrated cooking school. Not only did I score a master chef certificate, I also got wet, Songkran style. Songkran is the New Year celebration in Thailand that’s both religious and secular. Pouring water on images of Buddha is said to bring good luck. In the olden times, splashing elders with a bit of water on their shoulders was considered respectful. And these days, Buddhist monks sprinkle water onto worshipers to bring prosperity. On the streets, there are parades, buckets and super soakers. Staying dry is almost like an acrobatic event.
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Chiang Mai
Later in the trip, we headed down south to the coconut island of Koh Samui. The resort, with indoor-outdoor living spaces and jaw-dropping water views from each room, is so honeymoon-perfect, it's as if an honeymooner designed it! Snorkeling excursions with boating, island hiking and seafood picnicking are as popular here as kicking back in your private plunge pool.
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Koh Samui
Take a peek at my experiences in this short vid shot by one of my traveling buds, Michael McCarthy, editor of the coolio Washington Flyer Magazine. It makes me want to book a return trip ASAP.
—Jenna Mahoney
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