So after years of NOT capturing the true essence of Koh Phangan’s full moon party (One of our favourite locations on tour). Eureka! We’ve done it! Enjoy! (remember to share with your mates!)
Want more info on attending the Full Moon Party on tour? Check out our trip pages!
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For most people the beach is somewhere to go on vacation, or for an occasional day out. But there is a certain knowledge about the Beach. Wanna get the goulash on the beach that only beach-freaks know about? Well read on. The idea of living there might seem like a dream, but what is it really like for those who live right there and can see it every day?
Here are 9 things that can only be fully understood by those who live by the beach. I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying “travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer”. Well it’s so goddamn true. Upgrading your iPhone every time a new model comes out might give you clearer photos but it won’t give you a clearer view of your aspirations in life. Just as liking other people’s wanderlusty travel photos on Instagram won’t give you the same feeling as seeing the places with your own eyes. To be the beach, you gotta BE the beach.
1. You understand that the beach isn’t just for summer Wrapping up warm and walking on a deserted beach in winter is a uniquely invigorating experience.
2. You always feel a little bit smug After all, you get to live somewhere that people yearn to visit all year.
3. You’ve discovered that solutions to most problems can be found by sitting on the beach and staring out over the water Similarly, if you’re in need of some inspiration, you will find it by digging your toes in the sand.
4. You take it personally when people leave trash at the beach You wouldn’t leave trash in their backyards, so why do they leave it on your beach?
5. You always have something to do when you live near the beach Even if it’s just sitting on the beach which is a perfectly valid way to spend time, unlike anywhere else when just sitting and doing nothing is clearly a waste of time.
6. You know that any food tastes better when eaten sitting on the sand Even better if it’s been prepared on the beach. You’ve perfected the art of preparing and eating food on the beach without ingesting gritty sand, this is a skill to be envied by the casual beach visitor.
7. You never get bored of the view Especially the sunsets. And the sunrises. And during the midday sun.
8. You’ve accepted that your house will never be completely sand-free Ditto your car, clothes, hair, and pets.
9. You can aggressively categorize people who are visiting the beach into “types” just by looking at them This categorization enables you to predict their behaviour on the beach, giving you with hours upon hours of real life entertainment as you watch and nod knowingly.
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Paradise Found! Win a 16 day tour for you & a mate!
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Lost Beaches Travel Co. is ecstatic to announce the Grand Prize winner of our 2016 “Paradise Found” Contest! Congratulations Rachael Butler of Somerset, England on being drawn and accepting the prize! Rachael and a friend will be joining Lost Beaches for 16 days through Thailand on a tour date of her choice!
She now faces the very challenging task of choosing one lucky mate to accompany her while backpacking through the beaches of Southeast Asia. Disappointed you didn’t take home the epic prize? Stay glued to your inbox as we are sending out some select secondary prizes this week!Looking to plan the perfect group adventure, or join a tour solo to meet your new best friends in paradise this winter?
Due to the great success of this contest expect another one announced in a week ! Don't give up hope beachoholics!
LBT Staff.
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Thailand has many distinct charms. It has many different attractions. A lot of the things that you probably have heard about Thailand involve its nightlife and its natural attractions. These are all well and good, but if you’re really looking to savor a distinct Thai experience you need to go straight to the beach. That’s right. You need to go on a Thailand beach tour.
Thailand has an abundant coastline. You can experience all the bounties of nature in this generous coastline that Thailand is fortunate enough to have. With that said, it’s also true that there are many island destinations that have long coastlines. The Philippines, for example, has a lot of beaches. Hawaii has great beaches. California has amazing beaches. What makes a Thailand beach tour distinctive enough for people to want to plan for? Well, keep the following factors in mind.
Spice things up with an exotic Thailand adventure tour
The first thing to keep in mind when you’re going on a Thailand beach tour is that the beach tour is in Thailand. I hope you can see the implications there. When you go to Thailand, you’re going to a completely exotic place. We’re talking about different foods, different sights, and different sounds. At the very least, we’re talking about a distinct Southeast Asian culture. When you go on a Thailand beach tour, this is the context of your tour. You’re going into somewhat unfamiliar territory.
Forget about your experiences at dining out at the local Thai restaurant. That has nothing to do with the real Thailand. If anything, going to a place and a culture, as distinct as Thailand, is an invitation for you to step out of yourself. You see, a lot of people find traveling personally meaningful because they often get stuck in the familiar. They often get stuck in a particular routine. It’s too easy to allow a lot of your personal creativity and intuition fall away or rot because you just get stuck in your routine.
After all, your comfort zone, if left unchallenged, will start to cave in on you. The otherwise comforting and reassuring walls of your comfort zone start functioning like prison walls. Sure, you’re living in an invisible prison, but still a prison nonetheless. You are unable to look at life in the fullest way possible. You are unable to experience life in a truly engaging and meaningful way. The antidote to this is travel.
Any trip to Thailand should include a Thailand beach tour. Not only will you be able to enjoy coconuts, you will also get to enjoy the world famous Thai beach sand. While the bulk of your Thai adventure could probably be spent in the highlands or the nature trails, and elephant trails, don’t cheat yourself by not going to the beach. That distinct mix of sun, sand, and surf can go a long way to adding a distinct texture to your Thai vacation experience.
Experience the distinct pleasure of the Southeast Asian tropical sun
You might have spent a lot of time at the beaches in California. You might be a surfer. But I’m telling you right now, the sun in temperate regions like California or Southern Europe have nothing on the tropical sun. The rays just hit you differently. You have to make sure that you have the proper sunblock and protection. The heat, the humidity, and the overall experience are quite distinct and different. This is why a lot of otherwise experienced suffers from all four corners of the globe flock to Thailand and Southeast Asia for this distinct mix of sun, sand, and surf. Don’t miss out on this amazing exquisitely Thai combination.
Thai beach culture is amazing
Thai people are known in the world over for their hospitality. They just smile through all sorts of occasions. Theirs is a very welcoming and open society, and culture. When you go to the beach in Thailand, be prepared to get your socks knocked off. Thai beach culture is simply amazing. We’re not just talking about great food. We’re not just talking about the distinct mix between spicy and sour soups. We’re also talking about a truly Thai attitude towards life. This is very easy to pick up at a Thai beach.
It seems like that the Thai people have perfected the art of living in the moment. This should not be a surprise. After all, Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist society. Still, seeing people live out life on a moment to moment basis can be quite sight for sore eyes. It can definitely be the break that you need to step out from the numbing routine you otherwise have back in your old life in the States or Europe. Don’t miss out on Thai beach culture. It simply is amazing.
The Thai beach nightlife is worth writing home about
If you thought that the nightlife was wild and crazy in Bangkok and other places in Thailand, wait until you go to the coastal villages. It’s not as raunchy, but it’s definitely exotic. Thai people by nature are very friendly and hospitable. You can walk around Thai coastal villages and feel a distinct sense of connection with the community. It truly is mind-blowing.
The best part is when you hang out at a Thai beach to watch the sunset. You are simply taken to a different place. I’m not just talking about the geographic exoticism of Thailand. That’s a given. Instead, I’m talking about simply being taken to a different place as far as your emotions and spiritual state goes. You are stepping away from the familiar. You are stepping away from the tried and proven, and exploring a lot of the things that you have overlooked in your life.
When you’re on the beach and you’re meeting new people, you look at the world with a whole new set of eyes. Your sense of curiosity is triggered and life seems more possible. Instead of looking at life as one set of procedures and formulas after another, you start looking at life on a moment to moment basis. This is probably one of the most thrilling and empowering experiences you would ever have.
Enjoy amazing Thai seafood dishes
Thai food is already great as it is, but wait until you try Thai seafood dishes. It’s like having a symphony in your mouth. There’s just a wide blend of flavors and it’s like traveling with your taste buds. You are taken through the highs and lows of sweet, spicy, and salty–it’s just amazing. It’s like painting a fresco with your tongue and taste buds, really amazing stuff. Do yourself a big favour and treat yourself to a Thailand Lost Beaches Travel Co Tour.
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Thailand backpacking holidays looks great on paper. We can’t deny this. I mean, what’s more exotic than strapping on a backpack, putting on some hiking boots, and just traveling from the south of Thailand near the Malaysian border all the way up to the coast near Vietnam. Sounds awesome, right? It sounds amazing? The problem is that a lot of the ideas that look good on paper don’t necessarily translate well to reality. Thailand backpacking holidays is one of those concepts, I hate to say it.
There are countless stories of Europeans and Canadians getting all excited about Thailand backpacking holidays. They get all amped up and ready. When they go on their trip, they come back disappointed. They feel that their trips have been nothing but sweaty wastes of time. A lot of them complain about mosquito bites. A lot of them complain about the hassles that they faced along the way. The good is that this doesn’t have to be your experience.
If you want to go on Thailand backpacking holidays, you can definitely do so and do so successfully. Just by following the tips below, you’ll increase the likelihood that you will get the experience that you’re looking for. Unfortunately, if you don’t pay attention to these tips, you’ll increase the chances that you would get home disappointed.
The problem with most backpacking tour packages
The big problem with most backpacking tour packages is the fact that they tend to give you a commodified experience. They look at your travel needs as a product. Just like a toy is manufactured at a factory based on certain specifications to meet certain minimum quality thresholds, the same could be applied to your travel experiences. This really is too bad because you’re looking to backpack through Thailand. You’re looking for a distinct, palpable, and intimate experience with the exotic culture of Thailand. In your mind, this involves exotic new tastes, sounds, smells, and so on down the list.
Unfortunately, when you deal with the typical backpacking tour packages that lots of Thailand tour operators offer, you get predictable routes. You get the same saturated places in Thailand. In fact, when you go to these places, they are packed with foreigners. These foreigners come from all four corners the globe, but they all share the same mindset. It’s quite maddening, really. It’s quite disappointing. You don’t want that.
The reason why you wanted to go backpacking is because you want to see Thailand from a distinct point of view. You want to see Thailand the way it is.
Another danger that you face when you use a typical backpacking tour package is that it’s too short or too long. Either the itinerary spots are packed in too tightly or you end up chasing your tail going over the same places again and again because the itineraries are spaced too far apart.
Look for operators that focus in “day and the life” experiences
Thankfully, there are tour operators that provide backpacking experiences that enable you to assume distinct local view of Thailand. You literally step into the shoes of the typical Thai villager. You look at Thailand from the perspective of somebody who lives in the hills or in the hinterlands. You start looking at Thailand not as some sort of semi-developed place with all sorts of tourists and tourist traps. Instead, you look at it as a place of wonder. You look at it as a place blessed by nature with its distinct charms, risks, and dangers. In other words, you have a higher degree of seeing Thailand for what it really is, instead of what travel brochures or government programs dictate.
Get off the beaten track
Great Thailand backpacking holidays almost always involve getting off the beat and track. You just don’t know what you will experience when you get off the tourist circuit. You see real people. You experience real Thai food. I’m telling you right now, the Thai food that you eat in the province and the backwater of Thailand doesn’t taste anywhere near the stuff that you eat at the typical Thai restaurant in your city in Europe or America. The food is way better. Also, the food is probably prepared with more love.
Avoid tourist traps of cliché tourist stops like the plague
When you’re backpacking through Thailand, you can follow many different rules. You probably may have listed out several rules already. But if there is only one rule that you have time to follow, follow this rule: Avoid tourist traps or cliché tourist stops. Seriously, you need to avoid these places like the plague. A good tour company will avoid these routinely (eg Lost beaches!). They suck out a lot of the vitality of Thailand and the beauty of travel. They cheapen the whole experience. It really is a shame because Thailand has so much to offer as far as food scents, sights, and people go. It’s a place with millions of different stories and unfortunately, it’s very hard to put yourself in the position where you can appreciate or even enjoy these stories if you’re in a tourist trap.
In a tourist trap, the objective is quite simple. Tour operators take you to these tourist traps in a bid to milk as much dollars out of you. That’s the long and short of it. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that they are motivated by noble purposes. They could care less. They just want to milk you for as much as cash as possible. What makes this really deceptive is that in many cases, they offer tourist tours completely free. They even provide a bus. They even have a fake tour guide. Don’t fall for that trap.
If you’re going to be backpacking through Thailand, your days are limited. You don’t have time for such wastes of time, seriously. So avoid tourist traps. If you sense things that hint of or smell like a tourist trap, run far, far away.
Dress accordingly, its HOT baby.
Thailand is hot and steamy. Let’s just get that out of the way. It’s very humid and often times it rains, so dress accordingly. Pack the right gear and most importantly pack the right mindset. If you think that Thailand will have the exact same weather as Nebraska or wherever you come from, you are only setting yourself up for disappointment.
You have to appreciate Thailand on its own terms. It has its own agenda. It has its own axis. Deal with it, move on, and appreciate it based on its own reality. If you’re able to do this, you increase the likelihood that you will have a great time.
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As the summer season hits a full scale assault on all of us, the thought of travel comes to our mind. The bottom line is, who can resist a vacation that is full of epic beach, greasy drink-enticing beach music, swanky + awful dance moves, tasty seafood, easy-to-drink’ drinks, and crazy summer events.There is no better way on earth to beating da’ heat than taking part in an epic beach party full of beats & booze. (Please just remember to clean up after!)
Like all things in life – not all beaches are created equal. So what’s the best? We’ve traveled the world, with a margarita in hand under the sun & the stars to answer that burning question.
Here’s the results: the TOP 10 party beaches that will make this summer one to hold on to (or forget..)
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One of the best ways to travel any part of the globe is to backpack it. I can’t recommend this enough. There’s a distinct thrill that you experience when you feel that you are exploring a country inch by inch. That’s precisely what you’re doing when you’re backpacking. You’re walking from point A to point B. You meet a lot of different people. You smell lots of different sights. You hear lots of different things. There are different textures.
Instead of looking at traveling like you are leafing through some sort of glossy travel magazine, backpacking makes the whole traveling experience more immediate and real. You are able to experience different cultures on many different levels. You can experience things in a sensory way. These of course involve your five senses. You also experience things in a spiritual way. There are certain things that you will see, smell, touch, taste, and hear that can trigger deep spiritual truths. This can also dislodge emotional blockages and issues that you may have.
It’s no surprise that poets, historically, look at travel in a very romantic light. They look at travel as the ultimate antidote 
to writer’s block. They look at travel as a gateway to higher levels of personal expression, introspection, and exploration. If you’re looking for backpacking tours Thailand veterans prefer, you need to keep this in mind. Otherwise, it’s too easy to fall into very common and predictable traps. Keep the following in mind.
How to protect yourself from crappy backpacking tours Thailand veterans would want to avoid
If you want to prevent yourself from a lackluster or disappointing experience, you only need to do one thing. You need to be clear about the experience you’re looking for. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? It sounds almost like common sense.
Unfortunately, if you ask any group of college students or 20-somethings when they’re planning their trip to Thailand, this is the last thing that they would talk about. They would talk about the great food, they would talk about the people, they would talk about the temples, and the spiritual experiences, but they would not really focus on the specific experience they’re looking for. This really is too bad because I’ve seen backpacking groups break up because of this. Some people would rather go on a food tour, while others want to check out the river systems and the temples along the way.
If you want to truly get the most out of your backpacking experience, be clear about the experience you’re looking for. Ask other people in your party regarding what their expectations are. Make sure everybody’s on the same page. This is the best way to put together a backpacking tours Thailand travel veterans would prefer.
Look for backpack tour operators that specialize in your niche
Now that everybody’s on the same page regarding the experiences they’re looking for, the next step is to make sure that you find tour operators that specialize in that niche. Don’t get dazzled by low prices. Low prices are not doing you any favors because they steer you often through tourist traps. They often steer you through low-value experiences. That’s not what you’re looking for.
You’re looking to experience Thailand from the eyes of people that live there. You’re looking to experience Thailand in such a way that it helps you crawl out your shell. It helps you achieve a sort of internal spiritual space that you feel that you’re missing. So it’s a good idea to spend a few extra dollars on specialized tour operators that focus on particular niches.
Focus on going off the beaten track
I’m telling you right now, if you’re going to be traveling to Thailand and you’re just going to go through the same travel spots that millions of other people prefer, then you’re not really experiencing Thailand. You may think that you’re seeing the real Thailand, but you’re not seeing the real Thailand. You’re seeing a commodified package that has been homogenized and standardized for international tourist consumption. You know exactly what I’m talking about.
I’m talking about the river markets. I’m talking about temple tours. Even food stall tours can be tourist traps. You don’t want that. You’re not visiting Thailand so you can recapture or relive some sort of postcard. You’re visiting Thailand because you want to get in touch with an emotional and spiritual space. You’re looking to get challenge. You’re looking to experience something that’s different. You’re looking to reach out to something that is higher, different, and distinct from you. Unfortunately, that’s impossible if you’re dealing with a highly commodified and commercialized package.
It’s tempting to think that commodities are all products. It’s tempting to think that these are things that you can touch and see or perceive in a solid form. But services can also be commodified. Beware of this because there is no shortage of tour providers that would give you a watered down commodified experience that’s stripped of the soul of Thailand. If that’s the kind of experience you’re looking for, you’re probably better off staying at home. I don’t mean this to be harsh, but this is the reality. You’re better off staying at home because you don’t have to spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. You can just save that money.
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If you really want to have a good time with your upcoming travel Thailand tours, I have one key piece of advice or you. It’s too easy to believe that to ensure a good time when traveling, you only have to take care of your safety, have the right itinerary, and have the right equipment. While I’m not saying that those items are completely worthless, you have to view them in proper perspective.
The truth is even if you have the right gear, you’ve properly prepared for you trip, and you’re going to the right place, you could still have a lousy time. There is one ingredient that needs to be present. Without this factor, a great trip simply is not possible. What factor is this? Your mindset.
You have to go into any kind of situation with the right set of assumptions, expectations, and beliefs. As the old saying goes, “If you believe, you will achieve.” Whatever’s going on in your mind will impact how you perceive what’s going on outside your body. Pretty simply stuff, very elementary and very basic. Unfortunately, a lot of people who go on travel Thailand tours forget this. They come to Thailand with all sorts of improper of mistaken mindsets. Nine times out of ten, they walk away with a less than satisfactory experience.
In fact, a lot of them walk away with a disastrous experience. It’s not because the food was bad. It’s not because they went to the wrong place. It’s not because they had the wrong gear. The main reason why they had such a crappy time was that they came with the wrong mindset. This is the best advice I could give you when it comes to travel Thailand tours or any kind of tour. Whether you’re going to France, Spain, Africa, the Philippines, Korea, or any other point in the globe, you need to have the right mindset.
If you don’t have the right mindset, even expensive tours will suck, seriously. It has nothing to do with how much money you spent on your trip. Whether you spent few hundred bucks or you spend thousands of dollars, your mindset will determine the kind of value you walk away with. A lot of Americans are under the mistaken assumption that if they spend over $5,000 on their trip, they are entitled or guaranteed a good time. This is the worst mindset possible.
You see, you cannot buy a good time. You cannot buy a great and memorable experience. You can only allow yourself to get that experience. Do you see where I’m coming from here? Sadly, a lot of people think that if they go with the right agency, the right tour 
operator, and the right travel package at the right price, they are guaranteed a good time. Those luxury packages are only luxuries because they set up the wrong ingredients properly, but they don’t ensure an outcome. I hope you can see the big difference here.
There is quite a disconnect between having the raw ingredients for a good time and actually having a good time. To have a time, you have to allow it to happen. These are tips on how to do that.
Get ready to celebrate the unfamiliar
The first thing that you need to do is to step out of the familiar. Step out of your 9:00 to 5:00 job. Step out of your old identity. Get ready to look at the world with a brand new set of eyes. In fact, my favorite technique is to look at the place that I’m going to from the eyes of my three-year-old son. This works all the time.
When find myself in a new situation with a child’s mindset, I’m able to pick up more things. I’m able to enjoy more things. I’m able to celebrate things that would otherwise be scary, offensive, and irritating. I hope you see my point here. The real travel is mental. It’s not geographic. It’s not physical. It all happens in your mind and in your emotions.
Focus on the moment
I don’t want to sound like some sort of meditation new-age guru here. But if you really want to enjoy things in life, focus on the moment. Slow things down. Allow yourself to be in one place at one time and just focus your mind on one thing at a time. When you do this, you unclench your mind. You see, in any given moment, our mind is hanging on to many different concepts. It’s burdened by all sorts of obligations and responsibilities. It’s trying to keep track of all sorts of details. This is especially true if you’re at work.
However, if you’re traveling, you have to allow yourself to focus on the moment. You unclench the routine that you left behind and you are able pick up on experiences one at a time. When you do this, you’re able to savor them. You’re able to experience them at a deep level. Most importantly, you are able to look at the local scenario from the eyes of people that actually live there.
Not only have you taken yourself to a different geographical space, but you also allow yourself to be transported to a different mental, emotional, and cultural space. This is what makes travel Thailand tours more memorable. If you fail to do this, then you’re simply going from point A to point B. What’s the big difference between traveling to Thailand and traveling to France or Germany on business? There’s not much difference because when you’re on business your mindset is different. When you’re traveling for pleasure, your mindset must be distinct as well. Otherwise, you’re just not going to enjoy.
Savour the sights and smells
Different places have different cultures and this impact the things that you see, hear, taste, smell, and touch. Don’t just gloss these over. Don’t just think that these are nice catalog items that you check off your list. That’s not traveling. That’s trying to travel with a quota. That’s not what you’re trying to do. What you should seek to achieve is to truly live out the Thai experience. It’s a different frame of mind. It’s a different spiritual space that you are exploring. Allow yourself to experience this. Allow yourself to step into a distinct space where your eyes are wide open and your heart is open.
The people you meet are a part of the attraction
It’s very common for Americans to go to a specific location and look at the people as props. They’re really just fixated on the geographical elements and features, and look at the people as simply props or part of the local attraction, how sad. You see, traveling is also about exploring your humanity.
The good news is that regardless of what people look like, what they eat, the languages they speak, we’re all fundamentally the same inside. Not only do we bleed the same red blood, but we have the same fears. We have the same needs. The same issues drive us. We may express these in different ways and this is called culture, but ultimately deep down we’re the same. This is the kind of insight that you should definitely look for when you’re going on travel Thailand tours.
Regardless of whether you’re traveling to Thailand this year and France the next year, or Switzerland the year after that, allow yourself to get into this space and all your travels will be more personally enriching and fulfilling.
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Paradise Found: Win a 16 Day Thailand Tour for you & a mate!
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Lost Beaches Travel Co. 