WORDS & PICTURES: Alice Albertini
Connect with Alice on Instagram @alialissinwonderland
Alice is an Italian girl living in the north of Italy. The face behind @alialissinwonderland, she is an aspiring lawyer, who in her spare time loves travel, sharing the wonders of the world through her photos. She believes that travelling helps us to improve our spirit of adaptation to different situations and unexpected events that may happen – this is what makes travel so special.
The Places That Made Me is an interview series exploring the destinations around the world that people have most fallen in love with. Every week, we speak to a keen traveller or writer about the travel experiences that have made them the person they are today. This week, we chat to Alice: Italian aspiring lawyer and travel photographer, who reminisces about her time in Thailand.
Where is the ‘place that made you’?
The place that made me is definitely Thailand. I’ve been there twice: the first was in 2017, when I visited the south; the last time I went there was last year, in August 2018, when I visited the center and north of Thailand. I loved it because I learned a lot about their culture, and I was really surprised by their way of dealing with life.
What is your favourite memory from that place?
My favourite memory is from Chiang Mai. I went to an elephant sanctuary run by a group of locals who take care of the welfare of the elephants. Interacting with these sweet animals, feeding them and playing with them, was an exciting and lovely experience that I suggest everyone do once in their life.
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How did it change or impact you?
Visiting Thailand made me think about the values of life. We often focus on material things, leaving behind what is really important. Thailand is a country which is mainly poor in material wealth, but which is inhabited by people with a big heart. They are very hospitable, always ready to help you or give you a smile, making you feel at home even thousands of miles away.
“Thailand is a country inhabited by people with a big heart. They are very hospitable, always ready to help you or give you a smile.”
If you had only 24 hours there, what would you see/do?
I would visit Wat Arun temple in Bangkok, go sunbathing on one of the paradise beaches of the southern islands drinking from a fresh coconut, get lost in the streets of Chiang Mai, or visit the ancient capital of Siam, called Ayutthaya, by bicycle. Thailand is full of beautiful places to see and things to do – if you choose it as your next destination, you definitely won’t be bored.
What is a little-known fact or hidden secret about this place that tourists wouldn’t know?
The famous White Temple of Chiang Rai has pictures of cartoon characters like Hello Kitty and Spiderman inside – I found that very curious for a temple!
Another fun fuct is that you can eat for less than one euro; in the local markets, you can find dozens of stalls selling typical dishes with really inviting smells. Thai cuisine is very good!
The Places that Made Me: Cullan McNamara
Alice’s Top Picks
Favourite restaurant: All the typical restaurants! I love eating at the markets. My favorites are Ratchada night market and Khao San road in Bangkok. In Chiang Mai there is a big market every night, located in the city centre, where you can find a lot of delicious food. If you are in the south of Thailand there are a lot of typical restaurants where you can eat fish by the sea – it’s really romantic!
Favourite bar: Sky Bar at Lebua and Octave rooftop bar in Bangkok, for an amazing view of the city.
Favourite coffee house: In Thailand they don’t drink a lot of coffee, so there aren’t many coffee houses. It’s easier to find places where you can drink fresh mango juice!
Favourite spot: There are a lot of spots, I could speak for hours! I loved the White and Blue temples in Chiang Rai; Wat Benchamabophit and the Wat Pho temples; Chatchuchak market, and the colorful view of Ratchada night market from above from the parking lot opposite the market in Bangkok; the Similan islands in the south.
