My Thai Blog

Hi everyone:

Now that I have published the brochures for our exciting Thai Food Adventures, I am off to Thailand to experience every inch for your reading pleasure.  Don’t misunderstand me, these adventures were not created from inexperience. Between Trails of Indochina and Kay Plunkett-Hogge, I am in brilliant hands.  No dear reader, this trip is for you.  I intend to turn every corner in the markets, hotels, mountains and beaches to insure a sublime experience when you travel with us in 2009.  So, stay tuned, I leave tomorrow – Friday, August 29 and I promise, promise, promise to keep my dailies brief!

Friday, August 29.  Searching for flights to Thailand can be daunting in this time of fuel surcharges, et al.  There are so many prices attached to a variety of routes and fees.  My best advice here is to go through a travel agent.  There are flights available on the internet with all airlines, but if you miss a single connection through no fault of your own, you may find that you are out of luck.  This time, I found the best price with Lufthansa through Frankfurt.

Saturday, August 30: The best price meant a 10 hour lay over, but I tucked in, stretched my legs and read quite a lot about Thailand.  By the time LH departed at 10 PM, I was exercised, well fed, well read and generally happy enough to don my headphones and sleep for the duration.

Sunday, August 31: Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport is a breeze to navigate.  Followed the signs and whisked through customs in a flash.  An American is granted a thirty day visa upon entry.  So easy.

Immediately met by Trails of Indochina, a destination partner of Thai Food Adventures. I had been warned that the ride into Bangkok takes nearly two hours. However, we managed a Silom Road arrival in just under 30 minutes, in time for a sorely needed massage and facial at Health Land.  I know, “What?” I promise you, Health Land was beyond serene, soothing and invigorating.  Three hours later, I had nearly reached nirvana. I felt so good that I left by Tuk Tuk – a three wheeled open-air taxi given its name for the sound it makes when it starts. Perfect way to end this traveler’s day.

Monday, September 1: 6 AM  Thirty minutes of yoga, shower, e-mail, blog and breakfast in time to meet my guide at 9.
Food Stalls
Fruit market – Durien, stinky but delicious. The saying goes, “Smells like hell, tastes like heaven!”  Then there is the visually inviting Dragon Fruit, pear shaped, bright red on the outside and with a few spiny bits. Inside, fleshy white speckled with tiny black seeds. Very bland flavor, but rich in fiber and rather a visual in a fruit salad.  An exponentially healthy fruit.
Flower market
Royal Palace – One could spend all morning.  Do not miss the Emerald Buddha Temple or the Reclining Buddha next door to the Royal Palace property at Wat Pho, the oldest temple in Bangkok.
S&J International
Royal Barge Museum
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Lunch at lively restaurant (not stall – saving my adventurous nature for Kay’s arrival)
Long-tail boat on Chao Phraya River and along the klongs (canals). Side trip to Wat Bang Sao Dhong Temple, or “fish temple“. Once a year, on an especially special occasion, one buys a live fish, brings it to the fish temple and tosses it in the river.  The reason?  “Gaining merit” or giving back in order to enhance your own good fortune. Greeted dockside by a monk, a small donation was exchanged for the bread he carried.  We broke it into chunks and tossed the pieces into the surrounding water. There must be an abundance of good karma at Wat Bang Sao Dhong  Temple because the feeding frenzy that followed – among the biggest catfish ever – was the craziest I’ve ever witnessed!

On occasion, the more rambunctious long-tail drivers will race each other spontaneously with their fares hanging on for dear life!  Consider it just another river adventure.  I recommend taking the larger more commercial long-tail boats, complete with guides and microphones, if you really want the real low down on the Chao Phraya River’s secrets.

Later!