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Published: October 10th 2006
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I have never thought I would travel internationally this soon. After our last travel adventure at Puerto Galera, Val & I were really very busy. Val had been studying for her medical board exams that finished this Aug 16. I, on the other hand, was busy doing domestic errands like car & home repairs, fixing family issues, (I feel like Michael, one of the characters in the TV series “Arrested Development” ) and also canvassing for our big day, the wedding! Since then, we had to resort to our urban escapes like the metropolitan malls & restaurants.
But at last! Last Aug 17 upon Mila’s (Val’s mom) knowledge of Val’s passing the medical board exams, we were all set to celebrate in Thailand! Mila (soon to be my mother-in-law), arranged the flight tickets while I made a mobile call to Ambassador Hotel to take care of our accommodations. This was recommended by Mila’s friend Cora. So we were set to fly via Philippine Airlines by Aug 22 to explore Thailand for 4 days & 3 nights.
As we reached the airport & resisted a lot of hotel car drivers convincing us to get a ride to our hotel for
800 Bhat, we got a metered taxi for only 350 Bhat. As Mila & Val took their seats in the back, I got in the passenger seat on the RIGHT side of the car but to my surprise, the steering wheel was in front of me. The cab driver was just looking at me strangely as I made a graceful transfer to the CORRECT passenger seat pretending that I was just checking if everything is all well. We arrived at the Ambassador Hotel and as we were getting acquainted with our surroundings at the Sukhumvit area, we came across a lot of European foreigners. We asked around for a good place to eat. They suggested Gallery-Eleven which was just in front of the Ambassador hotel. We had a head start for Thai cuisine with Pad Thai, Pandan Chicken (fried in lemon grass) & milkfish in soup herbs with Ka or galanga ginger
Upon coming back to the hotel lobby, first thing we did was to fix our itinerary. We made our reservations at the hotel’s Travel agent for the Chaopraya river cruise that evening. As we headed back to the streets of Bangkok, we came across a lot of
travel agencies offering the same travel packages. We learned that the Travel Agency outside the hotel gives a better deal, but the hotel rate was not totally a rip-off. Rates only vary from 100 - 150 Bhat.
At the evening cruise, we had a buffet meal & a spectacular view of Thailand’s pride, The Grand Palace & Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn. Wow Lights! This is so near… far … wherever you are.. I believe …(Titanic song)
The next day, we proceeded to our next destination, the Grand Palace. We were picked up by our tour agent around 2PM which should have been 1:30 due to traffic. Traffic is indeed worst here than the Philippines, what a consolation. As we entered the Palace, we were advised that shorts were not allowed for men & sleeveless shirts were not allowed for women. We were asked to wear pajamas with 100 Baht deposit. Val had to wear a long-sleeved button down shirt which looked funny. As we toured the area you will think it’s the city of Gold. How wondrous! Temple there, Gold Buddha there , more gigantic temples here, statues of mystical creatures guarding the temples. Whew!!!
You could go for hours seeing new stuff. As we reached the most sacred place, The Emerald Buddha temple, we were asked to remove our footwear. I was not comfortable with this because it just rained and floor was damp. Do I have a choice… squish squish squish. Inside we saw the Buddha made entirely of emerald though only a foot tall. You can’t take a picture though. Shucks!
That evening we visited the Night bazaar. I really found a lot of interesting items here like the junk metal art that was designed in the shape of Starwars characters. I bought myself Jar-Jar as well as beer cans made into small Tuk-Tuks or Thai motorcycles (how ingenious!). And of course, the chili sampalocs (Tamarind) that I bought for “pasalubong” or gifts when I get home.
Thursday morning, we were set for the Crocodile Farm show. We were met by our travel agent named Diamond. He’s got a catchy name. After a 2-hour drive 29 km from Bangkok on Old Sukhumvit road to the outskirts of Thailand, was the biggest crocodile farm in Asia. As we watched the thrilling show where men stick their heads inside the crocodile’s snapping
mouth, we can’t wait to get close up shots with those crocs. I always want interactive shots. The farm also had an elephant show. We really found the elephants amusing. They painted, walked on a wire, rode a bike, sat, danced, and grabbed money from your hands. How talented could they get!
After the Crocodile Farm, I think it’s the travel agency’s tactic to bring you to a jewelry store. You would be brought to this Jewelry Center of Thailand where you will be overwhelmed by the amount of jewelry you would ever see. We saw how jewelry was shaped & crafted. My Val could not resist the power of its sparkle and bought a souvenir as what the persuasive saleslady termed it. Mr. Diamond’s name was so appropriate after all.
That afternoon we also visited their most popular mall there, the MBK. It was also the best opportunity for us to use their MRT or Mass Rapid Transit & BMCL Subway because were catching the Siam Niramit (Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam) Show at the Thailand Cultural center in the evening. Val was hesitant because she was not really fond of public transport even in
the Philippines. Mila & I on the contrary enjoyed it because of its efficiency and it will also complete the modern Thai experience.
At around 7PM on our last night, we were already at the Thai Cultural Center. We still had time to explore the mini Thai Village that features the rural Thailand. We tasted free rice meal desserts & went boating just like what the locals do in their provinces. We also met some of the characters of the show. The Elephants! What a delight! They’re so friendly and playful, one elephant even gave me a lift .Yahoo!
As the show started at 8PM, we were really in awe by their performance. The props was so intricately crafted, the play of lights was magnificent, the characters acted well and involved the audience, the stage morphed from being heaven to hell, land to a sea with real boats, changed from one kingdom to another. I’m very impressed. It was really a good finale to our Thailand vacation. To think that we almost passed on this to have more shopping time. We were glad we watched it.
As I woke up the next day, I looked at the
city view of our room, the buildings, the MRT and realized that Thailand is not so different from ours. It was our time to go back home & face our daily challenges just like the people of Thailand. The Front desk staff reminded me of my work at Oakwood hotel as well. I just realized the difference one could make on giving a good impression of a country. It takes the joint effort of every citizen to make a national impression. I admired how Thailand has maximized their resources to become a tourist capital. How they have organized themselves to bring the nation into one direction. I can’t help but to compare what potential our country has. I even believe that Philippine’s natural resources are at par & we just need more infrastructure development and more strategic marketing.
This trip gave me a bigger perspective of the world literally & figuratively. It helps to be out of the box to see what’s inside. Thanks to my future mom Mila & Val for this experience, that I will share & treasure. God bless to all the readers out there. Sa mga pinoy let’s make this happen!!!
Budget Info Bits
Conversion
is around 1 Baht is 1. 42 Pesos -/ $1 - 50 Pesos
Chaopraya river cruise - 1200 Baht /person
Gallery- Eleven Meal - 200 Baht average meal / person
Grand Palace Tour - 550 Baht / person
Crocodile & Elaphant Tour - 650 Baht / person
Siam Nriamit Cultural Show - 1200 Baht / person w/o Meal (Best to get the meal at 250 B, w/o reservation is at 350 B. If you have not eaten dinner before the show, but stalls would provide finger food inside the Cultural Center at 50 Baht.)
P.S.
Contact information & location of itinerary upon request.
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