Amazing Thailand!

20 things you must do when in Bangkok, Thailand:

1. Stay at the Baiyoke Sky hotel and wake up or retire to bed each day seeing the great view of the city from the tallest hotel in the world.

2. Indulge yourself in a glorious Thai massage and feel like a princess when soaking in warm water mixed with aromatic oils and rose petals.

3. Eat at the Sidewalk eatery and feast on bowls of Tom Yam soup, grilled prawns, hot, white Thai rice and sautéed Morning Glory greens.

4. Nurse a 3-month old Bengal tiger cub with an infant’s bottle filled with milk, run your hand through its glorious gold and black fur and feel the cute animal purr.

5. Go on a night cruise on board the Chao Phraya Princess and feel the cool Thai evening air in your face as the 350-ton vessel glides through the calm waters of the Chaophraya River, and along the famous Bangkok landmarks such as the temple of the Emerald Buddha, Rama 8 Architecture Bridge, Temple of Dawn, and the Grand Palace.

6. Shop till 11pm or until your feet hurts and your hands feel strained from carrying all those plastic bags of excellent finds from the Night market.

7. Take a safari tour while in the comfort (and safety) of an air-conditioned, double-deck bus and watch various animals live harmoniously and share the same pile of fresh grass.

8. Be awed and mesmerized by the countless exquisite jewelry on display and for sale at the Gems Gallery. Don’t forget to ogle at the display cabinet that has a gleaming, 100-carat blue Topaz the size of a block of butter!

9. Take lots of photos of the temples and pagoda architecture that dot the city and strain your neck while looking up at the tallest standing buddha covered in glass mosaic and gold-leaf as it glistens in the sun.

10. Feel the rush as the speedboat zooms and weaves it way through the water canals to take you to the Floating market and give you a glimpse of the everyday life of the people who live along these waterways.

11. Watch the Elephant show and witness a traditional Thai wedding and Thai boxing in the Rose Garden while being cooled by giant fans that spew cold mists of water.

12. Ride the Tuk-tuk at 40kph through the city’s busy streets and let you hair blow in the wind while you tightly grip the stainless handles and anchor your feet on the metal flooring to keep yourself steady during those fast and tight turns.

13. Buy yourself a glorious Thai silk wrap skirt in gold and your favorite color and feel like royalty when you wrap yourself in the rich and intricately woven fabric.

14. Start the day with a more than hearty breakfast at the 76th – 78th floor of the Baiyoke Sky hotel while the early morning sunshine greets you and warms your face.

15. Be thrilled by clever sea lions, dolphins, beluga whales, parrots and parakeets at the Safari World theme park and be impressed by their intelligence.

16. Get to ride the elephant or have your photo taken while you sit at his lap and feel his giant ear flap in your face while you squeal with delight.

17. Learn the graceful Thai gesture of greeting by putting your hands together and bowing slightly and feel cultured.

18. Interact with the gracious Thai people and be taken by their genuine charm and warmth.

19. Have your breath be taken away by the panoramic view of the city from the 83rd floor revolving deck of the Baiyoke sky hotel.

20. Be impressed by the precision, planning and coordination of the tourist industry as it transports thousands of tourists across the country to enjoy a truly amazing Thailand!

*all photos by Summer Oct 18-21-05

My Element

It felt almost like I was in a dream. The familiar bell of the airport public address system at the departure lounge seemed to announce my arrival. There was the usual hustle and bustle of people activity at the airport but not even that could take me out of the serene state I was in. It has been 3 years since my last trip out of the country and this day is the day I am in my element once again.

The wait at the airport was a time to let all the memories of my 12 years of traveling come back. For a brief moment I was transported back in time and could feel the same emotions when I would wait for countless hours at airports: reading, praying, people-watching and waiting for the familiar boarding call. I could write a book about my experiences at airports alone!

Even the walk to the aircraft seemed like going through a tunnel filled with memories. I could almost see myself again; traveling alone with strangers and quietly falling in line to board the aircraft that would take each and every one of us to our destinations and new experiences.

Once in the aircraft, the smell of a clean cabin, with the mixture of sanitized air and brewing coffee welcomed me. I was almost expecting to see familiar faces of cabin crew whom I have recruited when I was working for the airline, but since it was a different carrier, I only saw smiles from unfamiliar faces. But it was good enough to keep my spirits high.

As I settled in my seat, it felt like a friend’s embrace of welcome. The soft seat cushion, the soft hissing of the air from the air-conditioning unit, the sound of overhead compartments being opened and closed, seat belts being buckled, the view of the aircraft wing from the window. They were all so familiar to me it was almost overwhelming. I missed all of it and being able to experience them once again was wonderful.

As the aircraft started to taxi in the runway, I knew this was what I had missed during those years: to travel. My emotions grew as the aircraft engines roared to build its thrust for take-off. I was sad and happy at the same time. Sad knowing that I could not travel as often as I liked and did before, but happy that I am able to make it happen this time after a 3-year hiatus.

By the time the aircraft lifted to the clouds and its landing gear retracts, a few tears had escaped my eyes. I knew I was back in my element and it felt like home.