If you would have stopped by during these last two weeks you would have found me in front of my computer consumed by research–I spent my free time pouring over reviews, reading tourism websites, haphazardly scratching down random itineraries, and adding items of interest to my never-ending travel list. I ate, slept, dreamed, and thought about all things Italian, Greek, and Thai.
Somewhere within the chaos of essentially planning three different trips at once my OCD kicked in, and I created a spreadsheet to organize my thoughts, track costs, and plan budgets–nerd alert! Seriously though, that spreadsheet was something fierce. 😉 And after calculating an estimated cost for each trip, Cody and I spent the majority of our nights discussing each destination and then essentially talking ourselves in circles for the next three hours… 🙂 (Okay, to be honest, there are nights when we spend 30 minutes talking about what we want for dinner because neither of us can decide what to make–so you can’t be too shocked with our indecision about where we want to spend two weeks next summer. Right? Riiiiiiiight?)
Every night we would come to the same conclusion–they are all equally AMAZING! We couldn’t make a wrong choice, which really just made our decision even more complicated. This same conversation continued in happy circles until on a whim we pulled up Google Street View.
But wait, you mean you haven’t planned a vacation by taking an impromptu virtual-road-trip halfway around the world? That’s a completely acceptable way to decide on your vacation, no?
Well it worked for us, because within five minutes of “virtual road-tripping” we knew exactly which destination was right for us this time around.
We’re headed to THAILAND!
With its clear, turquoise water, diversity of sea life, and incredibly cheap dives (I’m talking around $30USD per dive, folks!) the tiny island of Koh Tao is known to divers throughout the world. And not only is it a hot spot for divers, it’s also a hot spot to see (and dive with) whale sharks. Hello bucket list dive!
We’ll be doing some island hopping and spending some time in Bangkok and the surrounding area as well. So here’s to our first experience in Southeast Asia (another new continent for us!), an amazing fourth anniversary trip, and hopefully checking off a few more bucket list items!
Have you been to Southeast Asia? Leave your suggestions of places to go and things to do in the comments below. 🙂
Pictures and Plane Tickets 
I love south east Asia!! and I have recently started using google street view before deciding where to go so I totally get you! As for Koh tao do go scuba diving! and for the whole of there is so much to explore!! the street food is absurdly good, and the fresh fruit juices are the best!!!
It is our first time, and while I’m excited, I’m also a little nervous. I’ve heard so many amazing things about the street food, I cannot wait to sample it all!! 🙂
Don’t be nervous, Thailand is an amazing country with which to start discovering South East Asia, everyone is so friendly and the airports, trains and buses are efficient so getting from point a to b is easy regardless of you budget or preferences.
Thank you. I’ve heard so many great things about Thailand and how the people there are so incredibly friendly, so I just need to stop worrying 🙂 Sometimes just being SO far away from home and in a completely different environment makes me worry a little, but I need to remember that it’s all an adventure at the end of the day. Have a great day!!!
yep! thats the spirit!! its all an adventure! a tale to tell when you get back.
Looks like heaven to me. I better start updating my bucket list. You are still one of my favorite blogs and I’m sad I am not able to keep up with every post. I’ve got one foot in the working world and one foot in the travel lifestyle. Trying to find balance. Keep up the awesome blogging.
Jessica, Turquoise Compass
Hi Jessica. Thank you for your sweet words. I know what you mean about trying to find that balance between blogging/travel/and work. Hang in there! 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by!
Thanks so much. 🙂
Ive just spent a month on Koh Tao, in my blog there is some imformation regarding my stay. Its an amazing place, you will love it. Aou Lewk Bay and Shark Bay and the two best beaches for me and geat diving sites. Have fun.
Hi Paul! Thanks for the awesome tips! I will be checking out your blog for advice when I begin planning our next adventure! 🙂 We are SO excited!!!
The places I’ve been to in Southeast Asia are Malaysia and Indonesia. Malaysia is seriously AMAZING. The people, the climate, the food, the smells – everything. I’ve been three times, since my mum’s Malaysian. Obviously, make sure you try the street food. It’s delicious in Malaysia and I’ve heard good things about the street food in Thailand as well.
Enjoy your trip to Thailand – it’s gonna be awesome, I can tell!!!!! You must be so excited! 🙂
Hello!
Thanks for stopping by. Southeast Asia sounds like an amazing place and it seems like those who travel there leave a piece of their heart each and every time. I am considering Indonesia at some point as well, the diving there is supposed to be great. I’ll have to look into Malaysia now as well. Thanks for the recommendation! 🙂
I am beyond excited to explore SE Asia and experience it all for myself. I will definitely be enjoying the street food in Thailand! Enjoy your day.
That looks like an ah-mazing destination!! I can tell you are super-excited!
I can’t wait to explore and spend our days scuba diving! 🙂 The next few months of planning will be quite fun! Hope you enjoy your day!
This sounds strangely familiar 🙂 great read
Thanks! 🙂 The struggle is real! 🙂
Oh! All three of these are on my list, but you made a great choice! I loved Thailand when I went 🙂 Enjoy, thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for stopping by. We are super excited about Thailand and I already can’t wait to start planning the other two trips! 🙂
Great choice! Out of those three destinations Thailand is my favorite. Greece will wait for you 😉 I’ve never been to Koh Tao, but it’s supposed to be amazing for snorkeling and diving. Looking forward to reading your stories from there.
Hey Anna,
That is good to hear! 🙂 I’m excited about exploring Thailand and all the scuba diving that will come with it. After hearing so many great things about Greece and Italy I’m hoping to visit sooner rather than later. Keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks for stopping by.
So excited to hear your decision, this will be an AMAZING trip! 🙂
I’m hoping the jetlag isn’t toooooo bad! 😉 Your trip is coming up soon, right??
That looks AMAZING! I can’t wait to see photos! Take me with you?
The more the merrier! 🙂