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Thailand |
Eat and sleep
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Other opinions
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Do you see the hotel? It is there, respecting the landscape, a lesson that Thailand gives us since the first moments, and with only a few exceptions.If there weren’t 16 hours flying there and the same backwards, that should become a regular destination. Everything was appealing, and affordable.
We made a well planned trip, with the internal connections made by plain first from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (from where we went by land to Chiang Rai and back) and then to Pukhet. |
Since we were there, we went a little further to visit Singapore, and that was the only thing that didn’t go as we planned, because we were thinking on a direct flight from Phuket and couldn’t get it. We were obliged to fly north to Bangkok and from there to Singapore, adding extra 2000 kms to the flights. It didn’t reflect on price, only on time, but still gave us time to a brief trip in southern Malaysia (only saw Johor Bahru). Coming back to Thailand is my wife’s dream (and I’m in), but the flights… Maybe one day!
Food
Eat. Everything. Even when cutting the food looks like a crime against arts. But for me, everything tasted good, being light and healthy. I had tried Thay food in a Portuguese restaurant and was somewhat disappointed. In place things were totally different. So… eat. And enjoy.
Language
Thai language is difficult? Yes! But who needs it, in a country that bets in communication? Do you really need a translator?
Food
Eat. Everything. Even when cutting the food looks like a crime against arts. But for me, everything tasted good, being light and healthy. I had tried Thay food in a Portuguese restaurant and was somewhat disappointed. In place things were totally different. So… eat. And enjoy.
Language
Thai language is difficult? Yes! But who needs it, in a country that bets in communication? Do you really need a translator?
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It was a long ride of 400 km from Chiang Mai, to see the golden triangle. Nothing much to see, except the sensation of being in a crossroads of the world, where the forbidden countries touch the open ones. We took a flat bottom boat, and followed the Mekong River between Burma and Laos, at that time closed countries in civil war. It touched us the way as children of all ages challenged the dangerous currents of the river to approach our boat, asking for a coin, that, as a matter of fact, I'm not so sure they could use, whatsoever.
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It was also the place where:
1 - I tasted the hottest Thai dish of my life.
2 - I saw Portuguese Port wine in the list, and ordered it, for the pleasure of appreciating something Portuguese in the remote Golden Triangle.
"Sorry, sir, it's finished."
" Never mind, girl, at least I know that more than 30 other people enjoyed Port wine in the Golden Triangle."
1 - I tasted the hottest Thai dish of my life.
2 - I saw Portuguese Port wine in the list, and ordered it, for the pleasure of appreciating something Portuguese in the remote Golden Triangle.
"Sorry, sir, it's finished."
" Never mind, girl, at least I know that more than 30 other people enjoyed Port wine in the Golden Triangle."
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Mekong River
The most significant moment in Chiang Rai was a boat ride along the Mekong river. Passing between Laos and Burma, closed countries at that time, provided a feeling of excitement, enhanced by some Laotian kids swimming in the muddy and dangerous waters to approach the boat, asking for something (coins, I presume). Feeling China in background (announced by several boats passing and anchored) the place is really a dramatic joint of nations, cultures and policies, in a luxurious landscape. |
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Rice is life One of the best points in the trip inland to visit Chiang Rai is the opportunity to watch true rural life. People and animals struggle in hard conditions to produce rice, the main support to their life, and the passing by tourists feel as part of another world... Along the planes bordering Mekong river, men and buffaloes join efforts in rice production. It's a hard work, done in dangerous waters and climate, but it provides some spectacular sights and photos, of the real life of rural people. |
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Thermal Water
Chiang Rai has many thermal springs, where water comes at high temperatures. In the way from Chiang Mai, it's possible to stop and see water and vapor springing from the soil, and the people boiling eggs in dug trenches. |
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Ayuthaya
Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya, was the second capital of the Siamese Kingdom. For centuries the city grew and became one of the world’s largest and richest cities. It was abandoned in 1767, when the Burmese army burned it. The city was never rebuilt and it is, today, a very important archaeological site, classified by UNESCO as world heritage. Located 80 kilometers north of the actual capital, it is easily visited in a day trip from Bangkok, or as a stop in a larger trip to the north. . |
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Ban Pa In
Also destroyed by the Burmese army in 1767, the reconstruction of the Summer Palace complex of Bang Pa-In was started in 1851 by Mongkut (Rama IV), but it was his successor King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), that created most of the actual buildings, trying to match the European standard, with Versailles as model. The only building opened to public is a Chinese style palace, called Phra Thinang Wehart Chamrun, with a precious interior. |
From outside, it's possible to see Ho Withun Thasana, or Sages Look-Out, a tower built in 1881 and used as an observatory to view the sky and surrounding area. The most beautiful building, however, is probably, the Aisawan Thiphya, the pavilion in the middle of the ornamental pond.
Distant 60 km from Bangkok, it may be visited everyday from 8.30 a.m. to 16.30 p.m.
Attention to the dress code, similar to the Grand Palace of Bangkok - no short skirts or short pants, no sleeveless shirts.
Distant 60 km from Bangkok, it may be visited everyday from 8.30 a.m. to 16.30 p.m.
Attention to the dress code, similar to the Grand Palace of Bangkok - no short skirts or short pants, no sleeveless shirts.
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In my trip I was impressed by the readings about Phuket, and didn't care with my agent's warnings about monsoon. He suggested Ko Samui much safer in that period, but I insisted in Phuket.
I didn't regret, since it is really interesting, and Phi Phi islands and Patong were perfect to overcome the sea constraints. In his second visit, Tito visited not only Ko Samui, but a few other islands, all of them with heavenly beaches, being Ko Thao his favorite. He convinced me, and in the second visit I will reserve several days for the Ko... something! |
Bangkok
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Is it possible to visit Thailand without going to Bangkok? Yes, it is! But the big city is something that no one should miss. Even after the injustice that kept the Imperial Palace out of the new seven wonders of the world, Bangkok is a place where I would like to come back (and, surprisingly, Fernanda too). If it wasn't so far... |
Phuket
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Land of some good beaches, this large island connected to the continent, is plenty of complementary attractions. When we were there it was monsoon time, and some of the beaches were dangerous. A detail to have in mind, since monsoon extends for several months in summer. Our agent advised Ko Samui, in the opposite coast, and maybe, that would have been safer, with easy access to the beautiful area of Krabi. But Phuket was great, and the additional precautions needed at the sea didn't spoil a good week. |
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Chiang Mai
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A visit to Thailand will not be complete if we don't add to Bangkok and the inevitable beach, a trip to the north.
Chiang Mai is the capital of the north, and the best located place to travel around. It is also, very interesting if you don't want to go elsewhere in the neighborhoods. |