Singapore, Thailand & finding our feet in Southeast Asia

The vibe this month

A mix of “wow, we’re actually doing this” and slowly settling into a rhythm. From the slick efficiency of Singapore to the chaos and colour of Thailand, it felt like we were easing ourselves into Southeast Asia with a soft landing, and then fully embracing everything about this area of the world.

If I had to try to sum it up, I’d call it: sunsets, smiles, and some of the best food we’ve ever had.

Where we went this month

• Singapore – slick, modern, the perfect entry point to Southeast Asia
• Chiang Mai – café heaven and an instant favourite
• Phuket – chaotic party energy, but beautiful beaches and sunsets
• Koh Lanta – laid-back island life (with a side of drama)
• Krabi – an unexpected all-rounder
• Bangkok – big, busy, and a little bit bonkers

Favourite place of the month: Chiang Mai

Why it stood out:
We were completely surprised by how much we loved it. It had everything – amazing food, a strong café culture, beautiful temples, and just an easy way of living. We could genuinely see ourselves staying here longer another time.

What surprised us:
That we’d love a city this much! We’re usually drawn to nature and beaches, but Chiang Mai just had a vibe about it that we didn’t expect.

Who would love it:
Pretty much everyone – foodies, slow travellers, digital nomads, even families. It’s not the most stroller-friendly, but we managed fine with a 3-year-old (a carrier definitely helps on busy roads).

Travel highlights from our first month in Southeast Asia

• Best experience: Private long-tail boat trip to Poda Island in Thailand – crystal-clear water, we could literally see the fish from the surface (no snorkels required!), white sand, and a very happy toddler
• Best food: Night market Pad Thai (unbeatable), mango sticky rice, and ice cream rolls (according to the 3-year-old)
• Best moment: Watching the most beautiful sunset in Koh Lanta and realising we’re living the days we once dreamt about
• Funniest/weirdest moment: Getting a Thai massage for the first time… turns out I had no idea what to expect, and at one point my legs collided mid-air with the man next to me. Perhaps a story for another day…

Lowlights

• Getting gastroenteritis in Koh Lanta – all three of us insanely sick, and it ended with a hospital visit for Mr Rick (read all about the drama here!)
• Our Koh Lanta accommodation: probably the worst of the trip and overpriced

Budget snapshot

• Average daily spend: £158 for a family of three (includes accommodation, food, transport and activities; excludes flights from the UK)
• Most expensive place: Singapore
• Cheapest win: Street food and night markets across Thailand

Food obsession of the month

Dish/Drink: Pad Thai (closely followed by mango sticky rice)
Where: Night markets across Thailand
Why we loved it: Simple, fresh and DELICIOUS

What this month taught us

That there’s a difference between arriving somewhere and feeling at home. Singapore impressed us, but Thailand is where we properly relaxed into this trip. We also started this month by travelling way too fast – it was too much, and Little Rick made that very clear (think big emotions!). Slowing down helped all three of us, and it was a welcome reminder that we don’t always have to see everything.

Also: always pack rehydration sachets. Always.

Photo highlights

• Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
• Poda Island, Thailand
• The temples of Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Dantewada – Land of Angels, Thailand
• Floating market, Bangkok
• Koh Lanta sunset, Thailand

Would we go back?

• Singapore: Yes – so much more to see
• Chiang Mai: 100% yes
• Phuket: Maybe – for the beaches, but we’d choose a quieter area
• Koh Lanta: Yes – but different accommodation
• Krabi: Yes
• Bangkok: Maybe – great for a short stay

One thing we’d do differently

Be a bit more selective with accommodation – where you stay really shapes the experience, especially on the Thai islands. We probably would have packed less too. We thought we’d done really well here, but we’ve ended up picking bits up along the way that we prefer to what we brought with us.

What’s next

Heading deeper into Southeast Asia and continuing the adventure in Vietnam… hoping for fewer hospital visits, more adventures, and experiences to last a lifetime.

FAQs about travelling Southeast Asia with a toddler

Is Southeast Asia good for travelling with a toddler?
100%, yes. We found it incredibly welcoming, with amazing food, friendly locals, and plenty to do. Slower travel definitely helped.

Is Thailand family-friendly?
Very. Thailand was one of the easiest places we’ve travelled with a toddler so far, especially for food, transport, and general day-to-day ease.

How fast should you travel with a toddler?
Slower than you think. We started too fast and quickly realised staying longer in fewer places made the experience far more enjoyable for everyone.

Follow the adventure

This is just the beginning! We’ve got five more months of this adventure to share, from Vietnam and beyond, so if you fancy coming along for the ride, keep an eye out for the next instalment.

And if you’re planning your own family adventure, hopefully our highs, lows and questionable travel decisions will help along the way!