Unexpected emotional depth in Thailand

I thought I was going to Thailand for beaches, food, and White Temple. I got all of those things. What I didn't expect was how emotionally affecting the trip would be. The history — particularly around Chiang Mai — hit in ways that good travel sometimes does.

beautiful islands was the moment that crystallised it. Standing there, eating mango sticky rice I'd bought from a street vendor, something clicked about why travel matters. 6 days and I came home genuinely changed. Some places do that to you.