My holiday started in Bangkok. I spent four days sampling the restaurants and cafes in the city center. The food was tasty and healthy and I discovered Thais eat about five times a day.
There are street vendors cooking on the sidewalks and the aroma is intoxicating. Bangkok just plain smells good! After dinner there are many lounges to visit for an aperitif but be warned, the friendly staff will try to cajole the farang (Thai for foreigner) to buying a round of libations for them. Just say no – they are OK with that.
Walking around Bangkok’s streets is a sensory delight. In addition to the aromas from the street vendors, there is plenty of greenery along the way. I was never bothered by beggars or thugs. Everyone gets along. One warning is that the sidewalks are very uneven and shop entrances can be a half meter above grade level so watch your step!
Bangkok also has an excellent mass transit system called the BTS. It runs through the backbone of the city and taxis are never far away from the main stations. I went to a large temple in the city one day and for this inexperienced traveler here it was easy and fast.
The next few days I spent in Koh Chang. This is an island in the Southeast Gulf of Thailand a six hour bus trip from Bangkok. A one hour ferry boat ride gets you from the mainland to the mountainous island. It was a beautiful place with rain forests and great beaches. Unfortunately it was cloudy and windy the whole time I was there so I missed out on the suntan and snorkeling but I got to feed some elephants and took a thorough tour of the island. The terrain was stunning and the roads on the island were equally as thrilling as well
One high point I have to mention is a couple of proprietors I met in their Koh Chang beachside bistro. The place is called Thor’s Palace Bar & Restaurant and is literally located right on White Sands Beach. It is run by Thor and his brother Mal. More gracious hosts I have never met. Google it.
So now I am back to real life in the UAE but I still miss Thailand. I really recommend this country for a getaway. It is safe, the citizens are cordial and a nice hotel room is had for just Dh100. Just do it!! I know I will be back.
