*Written by Lilly, a Impact teacher in Bangkok*
When I was deciding where to move abroad, I was excited to have Bangkok as an option. And I was right to be excited- Bangkok has been amazing! All the neighborhoods offer something different and exciting, from food and culture to nightlife, from lively to more laid back areas.
However, sometimes it is nice to escape the hustle and bustle. Luckily, Bangkok is actually surrounded by nature and a slower pace of Thai life. I did find that in the Thai school system there are shorter public holidays rather than longer half terms as in the UK. But Bangkok’s efficient transport links make short trips a very accessible option to make the most of any time off school! 
Khao Yai
One of my favourite trips was to Khao Yai, known for its natural scenery of forests, waterfalls, and wildlife. This was such an easy area to get to, as I only had to take a three hour bus and I could get to the bus station straight after school!
Khao Yai offered a lovely break from city life. Two days were spent mostly wandering and enjoying the quiet after a busy start to the term. My friends and I made a trip to a farm where there were lots of activities like pottery painting, which definitely helped for some wholesome unwinding time!
Khao Yai also proved to be a really quirky getaway! We visited a Little Italy where I visited the Khao Yai version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa (yet to visit the real one!) and stumbled across some eccentric cafes.
However, my favourite part of the trip was easily our day at the National Park with our amazing tour guide Gun. We trekked through the forests with her as we (successfully!) searched for gibbons, toucans, monkeys and even wild elephants! We also saw the waterfall featured in The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio which was even more beautiful in real life!
I was blown away that such beautiful scenery and wildlife was so close to Bangkok.
Koh Larn
Koh Larn was a great weekend getaway, just a two hour bus and ferry ride away. This was early into my year abroad in Bangkok, and I was eager to experience the beautiful Thai beaches I heard all about.
Koh Larn is the closest island to Bangkok and it did not disappoint! There were lots of beautiful beaches and, of course, the days were mostly spent sunbathing and swimming. Everywhere on the island was really accessible by songthaew buses and there were so many nice cafes and bars without it being too busy. I also filled up on way too many coconut smoothies and ice creams!
After hearing so much about Thailand’s famous beaches, it was a great reminder of how easy it was to escape to them from Bangkok.
Ayutthaya 
My trip to Ayutthaya was actually only a day trip and not only was the place amazing, but so was the journey! You can catch a one hour train from Bangkok for only 20 baht (exactly 45p!) each way, and it offers some lovely scenery as you go from the city into the countryside.
Ayutthaya is a historic city, and was the old capital of Thailand until the 18th century. Although Bangkok is full of history, it was amazing to walk around all the ancient ruins and temples without the contrast of skyscrapers and chaotic streets.
My friends and I also took a tuktuk (with our lovely driver Mam) around the city to temple hop which only added to the experience! The floating market there also offered food local to the area, and the whole day gave us an experience of a slower pace of Thai life and its extensive history!
Koh Chang
Koh Chang was an amazing island trip, although it was a longer journey from Bangkok at about five hours by bus and ferry. But it was definitely worth it. I loved my trip to Koh Larn, for the ease of peaceful beaches and cafes, but Koh Chang felt like a proper jungle island experience. Koh Chang is less of a tourist destination so the island felt quieter and more natural.
Because of this, the island was less accessible to get around so you do need to be able to drive a car or bike. I can’t do either, but luckily I was ferried around by friends! Exploring the island was so worth it as the nature is so stunning! The waterfalls and greenery were gorgeous. We also visited a local fishing village. The island still has lots of cafes and bars and my friends and I eventually indulged in some Western food (Greek food- yum yum)!
One of my favourite things about moving abroad to teach is that ordinary weekends can be so exciting! There is so much to explore within a few hours of Bangkok, and this means that travelling doesn’t have to wait until the school holidays. And there are just so many options! Whether after a teaching week you want to relax, or you feel ready for an adventure, there is always a place to go. It can involve beaches in Koh Larn, wildlife in Khao Yai, history in Ayutthaya or discovering the jungle in Koh Chang. Alongside the memories I have made working at the school, it is amazing that travel can always remain a priority too!
