Once we decided to travel to Calcutta for a friend's wedding, we took the opportunity to add on a trip to Thailand to spend New Years on the beaches of Khao Lak, explore the markets of Bangkok, and bike the ruins of Ayutthaya. And hey, why not stop in Paris on the way home to break up the long flights?
Itinerary
Day 1: Flight from Newark to Calcutta (with overnight in Delhi)
Day 2: Arrival in Calcutta and outdoor party for wedding night #1
Day 3: Walking tour through Calcutta, lunch at Devanshi's house on the river, and sangeet ceremony (dancing)
Day 4: Visit Kalighat Kali temple, boat ride down the Ganges to Belur Math, and final wedding celebration. Late night flight to Bangkok with brief overnight.
Day 5: Early morning flight to Phuket and drive to Khao Lak
Day 6: Beach day at hotel and New Years Eve celebration on the beach at Memories Beach Bar with lanterns, dancing, and BBQ
Day 7: Day trip for snorkeling and island hopping in the Similar Islands
Day 8: Relax at hotel with massages on the beach and beachside lunch
Day 9: Hiking in Khao Lak Lam Ru National Park
Day 10: Flight to Bangkok and visit chatuchak market
Day 11: Walking around Bangkok with tours of Wats (temples)
Day 12: Train to Ayutthaya
Day 13: Biking through temple ruins of Ayutthaya and overnight flight from Bangkok to Paris
Day 14: Arrival in Paris and visit the Louvre
Day 15: Walking around Paris with stops at Notre Dame, Orsay, climbing stairs of Eiffel Tower, and others
Day 16: Flight from Paris to Newark
Highlights
- Enjoying the spoils of points/miles with first taste of international travel in Business Class (thanks, Deloitte!)
- Everything about Prerna and Harsh's wedding festivities - from the food, the dancing, and the attempts at traditional outfits
- Sightseeing Calcutta with Mike and Sam, moving through crowded temples, the world's busiest bridge, colonial buildings, slums, and a peaceful oasis at Devanshi's for lunch
- Launching a tradition: sneaking into New Years Eve party on the beach with dancing on the beach, walking through the waves, and releasing Thai lanterns (see Vietnam for pt 2)
- Sailing through the Similan Islands where we swam in beautiful water and found Nemo in the waters (NOTE: Not a highlight for Kenyon, given the extremely rough waters and pretty miserable motion sickness-inducing sail back)
- Hitting our "bliss state" after oceanside massages immediately followed by a perfect oceanside Thai lunch
- Temple touring through Bangkok with dinner at Laem Charoen for fish custards and crab
- Swimming in an ice cold pool on a very hot day at Iduia On the River, overlooking the largest temple ruins in town
- Mastering the "poor but fancy" life with amazing daily charcuterie hour featuring Parisian grocery store brie/baguette/wine with hotel provided pear slices
- Pretending to be "art people" by debating our favorite artist at the Orsay
Hotels
- Four Points by Sheraton New Delhi Airport
- Check In, Check Out Guest House (Calcutta)
- Mariya Boutique Hotel (Bangkok Airport)
- JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa (Khao Lak)
- Grottino Residence (Bangkok)
- Iudia On the River Hotel (Ayutthaya)
- Hotel WO - Wilson Opera (Paris)