Thailand at a Glance
Bangkok reminds me of Manila, except, as I jokingly told my friend, with less traffic and pollution. Nevertheless, I couldn’t stop myself from reminiscing and comparing this bustling, busy city, with my family’s home in the Philippines.
We had one full day in Bangkok and certainly tried to make the most of it. Bangkok has something for everyone: from shopping to cafes to sightseeing, it’s impossible to explore everything in this metropolitan city anytime soon.
Our first stop was Perhaps Rabbits, an Alice in Wonderland-themed cafe with lovely decorations and delicious drinks.
After, we took a quick tour around Terminal 21, a mall where each floor represents another global city. I soon discovered the prices were a little out of my price range and we made plans to visit Platinum, a mall with lots of small stalls, similar to a market, later in the day instead.
We took some time to visit a hair salon, a desperately needed haircut for me, and to straighten my friends hair.
After, we dined at the famous Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant. Started in the wake of a sexual health campaign, the restaurant featured educational materials, and condoms, everywhere in the decor.
Then we took ourselves off to the Platinum mall to try to get some heat-appropriate clothing for the rest of our trip.
After, we made a quick pitstop in our hotel to drop off our goods before heading to one of the famous rooftop bars in town: Red Sky Bangkok.
The view from Red Sky Bangkok
And ended the day at JJ Green Night Market! It reminded me of a flea market, kinda quirky and off-center. We came really close to closing so I think there might have been more to see if we came a bit earlier.
Krabi and the Phi Phi Islands
Krabi is an island known for its amazing beaches and corresponding tourist popularity. Although I only had a day there, it was by far one of my favorite places to be. Call me an island girl, but being on the open air with the beach and the water is definitely one of my favorite places to be.
For our only full day in Krabi, my friend and I booked a tour around Koh Phi Phi, a set of islands about an hour out from Krabi.
The tours themselves are pretty standard fare as it goes. You can book them from any number of travel agencies on the street or through your hotel; we booked ours through the hotel. Although it was admittedly way more expensive, I don’t really have any complaints since our day was excellent!
Island hopping Koh Phi Phi
We saw a sea cave, swam in clear waters, snorkeled see the fish and the coral, and relaxed on gorgeous beaches.
A sea cave in Koh Phi Phi
For lunch, we stopped at one of the larger islands, where there were also souvenir shops and other hotels to explore. Make sure to bring cash!
Chiang Mai
I spent most of my time in Thailand in Chiang Mai, since that was where our work was based. Chiang Mai sits at the base of a mountain, and supposedly is cooler than the other cities thanks do it. (Disclaimer: I thought Chiang Mai was the hottest of the three cities and I got sunburned for my trouble, but that’s just my personal take.)
Chiang Mai is gorgeous, no doubt about it. Known for several of its ancient temples, there’s also a lively tourist area, and many street markets to explore during your stay here.
One of the most famous temples is Wat Doi Suthep, situated on the top of the mountain. The views of the city are panoramic and the temple itself is gorgeous. Be warned that after a long drive, there’s still 300+ steps to climb to reach the actual temple, but the exercise is worth the views!
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in the Chiang Mai Province
I also recommend seeing Wat Chedi Luang and the silver temples inside the Old City. Make sure to dress conservatively. Cover your shoulders and wear something to the knees at the minimum to be respectful. (If you forget, you can rent a covering at the temples as well.)
Wat Chedi Luang, a Buddhist Temple in the Chiang Mai Province
My favorite parts of Chiang Mai were admittedly the many street markets to explore. There’s the Night Bazaar, which happens every night. And on the weekends, there’s Saturday Walking Street and Sunday Walking Street, which are in different locations but are also worth exploring. There’s plenty to see, eat, and buy. Just make sure to bring plenty of cash and don’t be afraid to bargain!
-------
I won’t hesitate to say I loved Thailand, though I only was able to spend a week there. I got a taste of something somewhat familiar, delightfully new, and hauntingly delicious, much like the food there. (Don’t forget to try the Khao Soi, a regional speciality in Chiang Mai!) And I can’t wait to go back and spend more time learning the culture and exploring the cities.
