Last month, Travel Specialist Lynne joined the Thailand: Islands & Elephants trip. Here are her takeaways!
The Stories Between the Islands
Finding the heart of southern Thailand through the people who call it home.
When I first would think about Southern Thailand prior to traveling, my mind would go to the turquoise water, dramatic limestone cliffs, golden temples, and longtail boats floating across the sea.
Those images were definitely what first drew me there and got me excited when I found out our Discover Corps was sending me there to experience one of our most popular trips.
Yet when I think back on this journey, the first thing that comes to mind now are the people, and of course the elephants.
A smile waiting from our Guide Tam waiting for us each morning. Conversations over family-style meals. An elephant reaching out for a touch. The stories shared on boat rides between islands.
Every Journey Deserves a Local Storyteller
One of the greatest gifts of travel is experiencing a place through someone who has spent a lifetime calling it home.
Tam, our Discover Corps guide, grew up in Phuket and has worked in tourism for more than twenty years. From the very beginning, his warmth set the tone for the trip. His smile was contagious, his sense of humor kept everyone laughing, and his genuine love for southern Thailand made us see the destination differently.
Wherever we traveled, familiar faces greeted him with warmth and happiness to see him and greet us.
Restaurant owners stopped to chat. Boat captains at the docks sharing old stories and fresh smiles. Local artisans welcomed him like an old friend with warm hugs. Watching those interactions reminded me that travel is built on relationships long before visitors ever arrive.
As we explored Phuket, Tam shared stories from his childhood, pointed out his grade schools, high-school and the homes he has lived in. He also told us how the places had changed over the decades, and celebrated the traditions that continue to shape the island today. His stories gave context to everything we experienced. Every beach, market, and village suddenly carried history that I would have never been able to connect to like he could.
By the end of the trip, I think everyone wished they could bring a little of Tam’s joy and smile home with them.
Learning the Rhythm of Island Life
Our first few days were spent at My Beach Resort, tucked along a quiet stretch of coastline with views across the ocean toward the Big Buddha.
The location felt peaceful without feeling isolated. Old Phuket Town was only a short drive away, making it easy to spend an evening after dinner wandering colorful streets before returning to the sound of waves in the evening.
I was able to go for runs in the morning along the beach with no one there just me, the ocean and its amazing colours.
A Table Always Meant for Sharing
One thing quickly became clear in Thailand, you are likely never going hungry on this trip if you are a foodie!
Every meal arrived with plate after plate filling the table. Curries, fresh seafood, sauteed vegetables of all kinds, spicy soups, flavourful rice, and noodles and dishes layered with flavors that somehow felt both bold and comforting at the same time.
Meals lasted as long as the conversations around them.
Looking back, the food is one of the strongest memories I brought home. I still catch myself thinking about those meals and wondering how soon I can plan another visit. I brought home multiple packages of spices, rice and local candies and sad to say all my candies are gone and I only have 1 spice package left of as I spent the last few weeks cooking multiple meals for friends and family since being home to try to bring them a small taste of what is waiting for them in Thailand.
Between the Islands
Boats move between Thailand’s islands the way buses connect neighborhoods.
One day led us to Yao Noi, where we met batik artists preserving generations of craftsmanship, learned about rubber tapping from local farmers, shared lunch inside a family homestay, and finished the afternoon drinking Thai tea beside bright green rice fields.
Even Tam’s family were once rubber farmers. Listening to his stories about growing up in that world, then visiting a local family still carrying on the tradition, felt like stepping through time. His memories gave life to what we were seeing, connecting the past with the present and offering a glimpse into a way of life that continues to shape this small island today.
The Color of the Andaman Sea
Phi Phi has been photographed millions of times.
Standing there, I understood why.
The water carries a shade of turquoise that almost feels impossible until you’re looking directly at it. Towering limestone cliffs rise from every direction, creating a landscape that somehow feels both dramatic and peaceful.
July is considered Thailand’s rainy season, yet our days on the water reminded me that travel doesn’t always need perfect weather to be extraordinary and in fact I loved that we were not around too many crowds.
We snorkeled alongside blacktip reef sharks, stingrays, schools of tropical fish, and even spotted a sea snake weaving through the reef.
Every time I looked underwater, something new appeared around me.
The Elephant Who Stole My Heart: Sherry
I also continue to think about our time at an elephant sanctuary.
Before visiting, I understood the broad challenges elephants face as tourism and development continue to reshape Thailand. Spending time with the caretakers revealed an entirely different perspective.
Caring for elephants is incredibly demanding.
Their diets are carefully managed, they require enormous amounts of food every day, and each animal has its own personality, preferences, and needs.
Mr. Big, one of the sanctuary’s caretakers, has dedicated his life to that work. His connection with the elephants was impossible to miss.
Before we left, he shared something that has stayed with me.
“Your favorite elephant reflects something about who you are.”
Mine was Sherry.
She carried a quiet, gentle presence. Mr. Big described her as the sanctuary’s nanny, always welcoming new elephants and offering a sense of calm within the herd.
Watching the two of them together was deeply moving. Years of trust had created a relationship that needed very few words.
I left with tremendous respect for the people who devote their lives to elephant conservation. Their work extends far beyond caring for animals—it preserves hope for a species whose future depends on people willing to protect it.
Carrying Home the Stories
People often ask me what my favorite part of Thailand was.
The beaches were spectacular.
The snorkeling was unforgettable.
The food still crosses my mind daily.
Yet the memories I revisit most often are conversations.
Tam introducing us to another friend.
Sharing lunch around a family table.
Watching Sherry gently lean into Mr. Big’s hand.
Travel has a remarkable way of connecting us with people and wildlife whose lives look very different from our own, only to discover how much we share.
Long after the photos are tucked away and the suitcase is unpacked, those connections continue to travel with us.
Those are the stories I brought home from between the islands of Souther Thailand.