On what was mostly a whim, I went on my first solo trip to Thailand a little while ago. I was pretty excited before going, but the experience was far more mind blowing than I would have ever imagined. I have prior experience travelling, but either on family holidays or within Australia (where I live) with friends.

I didn't end up booking much in advance because it was a list minute decision to go, but I actually found myself loving it. I could take each day as they came and it felt very liberating to be able to do whatever I wanted - either enjoying a comfortable day shopping, swimming, drinking cocktails and getting a massage, going out and experiencing the city, culture or nightlife, or doing more intense expeditions like day trips, etc.

What I liked most about Thailand, in particular, was how friendly and alive the place felt. I'm very friendly but a little bit introverted and shy at first. In Thailand, I felt totally in my element. Making friends, meeting people, and having a hell of a time seemed to come naturally. The food was MIND-BLOWING, everything was cheap, and there was always something cool happening.

I've been back in Sydney now for a while, but I feel that I am imbued with a sense of reverse culture-shock. It's great here, don't get me wrong. But I miss my experiences so much, I feel so sentimental about my time in Thailand that it almost physically pains me to even think about it.

Was this trip so good just because it was Thailand? Are there are other places I could visit that would leave me feeling this way? How do you overcome these feelings?

I didn't realise that having such a great time, could, in some ways, also be so painful!

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