Enchanting Thailand

A REVIEW OF OUR RECENT THAILAND GETAWAY

Many of you know that I started a women’s travel company with my wife René a few years ago called Resté Getaway For Women. If you are wondering, Resté is a blend of both Celeste and René.

We launched in 2022, with our first trip to Costa Rica in May 2023 where 50 women joined us. In 2024, we brought a smaller group of 22 to Bacalar, Mexico in January, then 25 to Bali later that year. In January 2025, we traveled with 24 women to the Riviera Maya and Chichén Itzá. This year, March 2026, we went to Thailand. And next, Fiji in October 2027.

So of course, everyone keeps asking me, “How was Thailand?”

As the coordinator, my answer has been simple, "It was PERFECT!"

We had 20 women, 7 flights, both international and domestic. Not one person missed a flight. No lost passports, no lost luggage, no robberies, no illnesses, and no serious injuries. We will come back to that word serious.

Thailand was absolutely incredible. We explored three completely different regions, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Krabi, each offering its own unique experience. In just 11 days, it felt like we did not just visit Thailand, we experienced it.

BUSTLING BANGKOK - THE BIG CITY

Bangkok is very vibrant in every way. Skyscrapers rise beside ancient temples, endless traffic, and the entire city glows with a sense of modern life layered over deep tradition.

Our hotel, The Sukhothai Bangkok, captured that perfectly. Michelin star dining, high tech rooms, traditional Thai spa services, lotus filled lily ponds, statues and antiques, all woven together seamlessly.

But the true jewel of Bangkok in many of our minds was our precious guide, Proud.

Yes, that is her name, and it fits her perfectly.

She was hilarious, sharp, open, super fun and deeply knowledgeable. She answered every question with ease and shared pieces of her life with us in a way that made us all feel connected. By the end of our time together, she had gained 20 American aunties who adore her and are absolutely cheering her on in life.

We visited stunning temples, stood before massive Buddhas, and took a magical night cruise down the Chao Phraya River. The city lights sparkled around us as I sang on a not-so-great sound system, until a boat full of international businessmen pulled up alongside us and started recording the show. Suddenly, I had an audience and there's great video of that moment captured & shared on IG.

We had line dancing on the deck taught by one of our regular travelers, laughter, music, and Proud right in the middle of it all showing us her dance moves and feeling like part of the Resté family.

Another unforgettable highlight was The Calypso Cabaret drag show.

Nothing prepares you for this level of performance.

It is high energy, polished, theatrical, like Las Vegas meets drag meets Thailand. A full cast of drag, trans and cis male performers, endless costume changes, beautiful staging, and an intimate cabaret setting. It was not chaotic or overwhelming, it was intentional, stunning, and so much fun. They represented not only American music and styles, but wove in an International performance from East to West. We stayed after taking photos with the cast, completely blown away.

CHIANG MAI - THE MYSTICAL MOUNTAINS OF THE NORTH

From the city, we flew north into the mountains of Chiang Mai.

Our first evening, we dined at a botanical garden where the kind older owner prepared a multi course meal made from the plants around us. We sat at a beautifully set table in the middle of nature, eating flowers, while insects happily dined on us. It was imperfect and magical all at once, full of laughter and connection and let us know we were definitely not in the big city anymore.

Our hotel, Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort, was serene and intimate, centered around an ancient sacred tree that felt grounding and alive. It was a completely different energy from Bangkok, slower, softer, more reflective.

We visited Wat Phra That Doi Suthep high in the mountains, where temple dogs wandered freely, including one with perfect little eyebrows giving sleeping chingona vibes, and enormous gongs echoed through the space. We received blessings, explored ornate carvings, and took in the peacefulness of it all.

One of my personal favorite moments was riding TukTuks through the city. We played Thai dance music, danced as we zipped through the streets, and people smiled and laughed as we passed. It was pure joy. I loved it so much I went again the next day, and then René went again on her own while the group went on our elephant excursion.

And then, the elephants.

For many of our group, this was the reason they even made the trip to Thailand. This was the bucket-list mission of many hearts.

I spent a lot of time researching ethical sanctuaries run by the Karen people, ensuring there was no riding, only respectful interaction. We fed the elephants, walked them to the river, and bathed them. It was muddy, rainy, and absolutely unforgettable.

There were six adult elephants and two playful babies.

And this is where the no "serious" injury part comes in...

One of our travelers had a close call when a baby elephant, completely unaware of its own strength, playfully nudged her toward a steep drop near the river. Somehow, she caught herself on a small tree and avoided what could have been a devastating fall. She walked away with a few scrapes, and now an incredible story about surviving an attempted murder by a baby elephant.

We laugh about it now. But truly, thank God.

We also had an incredibly enlightening class on Thai Buddhism with a monk who had a great sense of humor. He explained the difference between the religion itself and the cultural expressions we were seeing, the gold temples, rituals, and symbolism.

One of the most powerful takeaways was this. The many Buddha statues are not objects of worship, they represent the Buddha potential within each person.

That distinction landed deeply as did the cultural vs. religion distinction.

Afterward, I held a small, cozy sound bath at the hotel. Blankets, pillows, laughter, it felt like a slumber party. Simple, sweet, and grounding. Another moment for hearts to open and bonds to form. This felt like a sisterhood forming thousands of miles from our home.

KRABI - TRANQUILITY IN TURQUOISE

Our final destination for Thailand exploration was Krabi.

Not the more well-known Phuket.

We intentionally chose a quieter, more serene experience, something that aligned with the energy of our group.

And it was perfect.

Our beachfront resort Nakamanda Beachfront Resort Hotel & Spa was stunning. The rooms at this resort were my favorite of the entire trip, complete with dual everything, closets, sinks, vanities, spacious and thoughtfully designed. The pool overlooked the ocean, and we spent our remaining days floating in warm water, watching tides shift and long tail boats drift past limestone cliffs.

The highlight of Krabi was our highly anticipated island boat day.

We visited Hong Island and swam in bright turquoise water surrounded by towering limestone formations in shades of black, white, red, and gold, covered in lush greenery. It felt surreal, like stepping into another world.

Even when baby jellyfish drifted through and gave us little stings that seemed a minor inconvenience in this paradise setting.

It was still magical.

We had lunch on the beach, drank Thai tea in the sand, watched an iguana swim to its sunning spot, and took photos weaving through hidden passageways between islands.

Our final night, we had a long table dinner set directly on the beach.

The sun set, a fire show lit up the sky, and the air was filled with laughter and connection. New friendships had formed, plans were being made, and something deeper had taken root within the group.

That is when we announced our decision to travel to Fiji for October 2027.

Almost every woman signed up before we got home.

And in that moment, watching it all unfold, I felt something settle in my heart.

This is exactly what I have always dreamed these getaways would become.

AN INTENTIONAL TRAVELING TRIBE OF WOMEN

What made this trip so special was not just the destinations.

It was the balance.

We gave space for everything, connection, rest, exploration, spontaneity. Shopping in markets, endless spa treatments, quiet mornings, playful afternoons in the pool, deep conversations, shared meals.

Everyone moved in their own way, yet we stayed connected as a group.

It felt natural, unrushed yet deeply personal.

So, how was Thailand?

It was perfect.

And I already cannot wait for what is next with Resté Getaway For Women.