Thailand, 2026. An unforgettable experience in Chiang Mai.

THAILAND TRIP RECAP AND TAKEAWAYS

Shannon’s April Update

We just got back from a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Thailand… and I’m still kind of in disbelief that it actually happened. We traveled with one of my favorite families to celebrate a milestone birthday, and for the first time in as long as I can ever recall, I left my computer at home. Not in my bag, not “just in case,” AT HOME! So… thank you Doug and Robbi for having my back at home!!

We packed in more adventures than I can count, zig-zagged through five different parts of the country, and came home with memories I know I’ll never forget. Since being back, I’ve been reflecting on what this wild, beautiful trip taught me.

Here Are My 5 Takeaways:

A Tuk Tuk ride through Bangkok is basically my life. If there’s a way to feel slightly terrified but also totally alive, I’m in! Flying through traffic, weaving in and out, thinking “this might be it,” but also laughing the whole time? Sign me up. I’ve kind of always lived this way. I quit college to chase skiing, I’ve never really gone the “safe” route, I bought a house with my boyfriend before we were engaged, I’ve started three companies… I like doing things that are a little scary. It just makes me feel alive. Highly recommend a Tuk Tuk ride. Not for safety, but for perspective.
Being kind really does matter. A lot. Traveling in a place where you don’t speak the language is humbling. You realize pretty quickly how much you rely on other people and how much a small act of kindness can change your whole day. Thailand was full of friendly people. Everywhere we went, people were helpful, patient, and just genuinely nice. It made me think about how we treat people here, especially people who might feel out of place or unsure. It doesn’t take much to make someone’s experience better, a little kindness goes a long way!
There is, in fact, such a thing as too much sun. And if you know me, you know those words have never come out of my mouth!! This wasn’t normal sun. This was next-level, “is the sun closer here?” kind of heat.
And just to make it more intense, I’m the mom of a redhead. I swear we used an entire suitcase worth of sunscreen, and Tucker still ended up with blisters. Not ideal, but nothing more that we could do. I don’t know if there’s a deep life lesson here, other than maybe respect the sun and Mother Nature.
Elephants may be my new favorite animal. Well, second favorite, after a rainbow unicorn, of course. We visited an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, and I’m not exaggerating when I say it was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. These elephants live in the jungle, with a river running through it, free to roam, splash, and just be elephants. We got to feed them, walk with them, get in the water with them, and Tucker somehow ended up in a mud fight with one. And we even got elephant hugs. They are gentle, soulful, and somehow make you feel calm just standing near them. If an elephant ever offers you a kiss, accept immediately. No hesitation.
The world is a really, really beautiful place. Everywhere we went, I just kept thinking… how is this real? It made me think about how lucky I’ve been to experience so many different kinds of beauty. The desert, the mountains, the snow, the forests, the lakes, and now Thailand. Each one is completely different, but stunning in its own way. It made me realize how big, diverse, and magical this world really is, and how much more I still need to explore.

I guess if I had to sum this whole trip up in one word, it would be gratitude. Gratitude for the experiences, for the people, for the ability to step away and be fully present, for a life that allows space for both work I love and memories that last a lifetime. And if there’s one thing I hope you take from this…

If there’s a trip you’ve been thinking about taking, take it.

If there’s something on your bucket list that keeps getting pushed to “someday,” move it up.

Do it. Because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. And your life? It’s meant to be lived fully, wildly, and maybe even a little bit like a tuk tuk ride through Bangkok.