It's been awhile since my last International Adventure. Thanks to my very supportive hubby for making this happen. Never in my life did I dream that I will be visiting Thailand and experience its culture. The only thing I know is that Thailand has a famous celebrity (one of my personal favorites) and that is Mario Maurer. But since we have friends there and all the stories I heard from my hubby since he used to work in a Company there years ago makes me wanna visit and explore it. I also wanted to know more about their culture and beliefs. One that amazes me the most is their language too. How they communicate to tourists and why there are many English teacher from Philippines working in their country.
Before anything else, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cebu Pacific for their promo fare. It's a big plus for our trip since we saved a lot. Without your promo fare we won't be able to experience traveling to different Countries. Perks of staying late at night. 😅
Our itinerary was prepared by my hubby with some help from our friend who is already there. We left home at around 2:00 am for our 5:00 am flight. We arrived in Suvarnabhumi Airport around 8:00 am (9:00AM PH Time) and we headed directly to Pattaya. We took a Bus and traveled for about 3-4 hours. Since we did not have enough sleep due to early flight, we took the chance to get some while in the bus. Thanks to hubby he knows a little Thai language so it somehow helped a bit when asking for directions. It was both our first time to go to Pattaya and we met a lot of foreigners heading there as well.
When we arrived in Pattaya, we took another 45 Minutes Ferry ride going to Koh Larn, one of the beautiful Islands around Pattaya. The place was so beautiful during the day and peaceful during the night. I've noticed that most of the people there don't know how to speak in English and they were afraid to talk to us. We then settled our things and place to stay for a night. The Resort we got offered free motorcycle for Customers to use to drive around the place the reason it was not hard for us to see most of the place in a few hours only. Koh Larn have beautiful beaches with affordable food and places to stay. We visited Pattaya view point and some old historical places the island offers. The scenery was so awesome and dramatic and the food was so delicious and tasty. Everything in Koh Larn Pattaya was beautiful.
Staying only for a night in Koh Larn was a bit short but we need to move to our next itinerary which is going to Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. Another 3 to 4 hours Bus ride again from Pattaya to Bangkok and of course, chance to get some sleep. We stayed in our friend's apartment this time and it was near the old Bangkok Airport. Our Day 2 were almost spent on traveling places to places. We experienced eating dinner on sidewalk food stalls (it is so popular in Thailand) with freshly cooked food served in front of us. The food we ordered were very cheap and delicious (we had Kao Phat Moo, Moo Krook and Tom Yum Goong) and we enjoyed it a lot. Thailand is really all about their affordable foods, lifestyle, and beautiful places.
I was not informed that our Day 3 itineraries in Bangkok were so packed. But thanks to my previous training (jogging and mountain hiking), it helped me a lot when it comes to all day walking and non-stop travels. Our Day started at 7am and it ends at 11pm. It was a continuous roaming around with a combination of riding, walking, eating and taking photos. We visited different Temples during this day. We rented a Taxi with a Thai driver but can speak English very well. He toured us around Ayuthaya, Elephant Camp, Wat Mahathat and Wat Yai Chai Mongkhol. For the price for that trip, I would recommend him to other Tourists since he knows most of the places and he is very friendly.
The ruins in every temple we've visited were fabulous and left me a feeling to know more about their history. They were so beautiful and appealing. It also makes me wonder how it was built and how it looks like before it was destroyed. How the King of Thailand lead his people in this magnificent Kingdom? You can see it for your I felt puzzled and speechless while roaming around and taking photos. After Ayuthaya, we went to Chatuchak Weekend Market. The market was so overwhelming that at the very moment we arrived, I had no idea where to start and what to buy. Everything in my mind I wanted to buy before this trip were all gone and I ended up buying nothing except for a small souvenirs I brought home.
Other Photos from temple ruins:
I really felt so sad that time and learned a lesson to make sure to plan out every thing especially when we have a very limited time. And before our Day ends, we dropped by to Asiatique The Riverfront for our Dinner and a couple of beers. We took MTR from Chatuchak going to a Station near the Terminal of the free Ferry Boat going to Asiatique. This place is a large open-air mall in Bangkok. It is situated in the former docks of the East Asiatic Company, and faces the Chao Phraya River and Charoen Krung Road. They have different food selections, the selections of shops is interesting too, with a good range of unusual brands. We had our dinner at Baan Khanitha, a Thai Cuisine and their food were so delicious but a bit pricey. But still it was worth the experience.
Because we were so tired, our Day 4 was limited to Wat Pho, Mont Nom Sut, and Terminal 21 only. Wat Pho, is a Buddhist temple complex in the Phra Nakhon District. Known also as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It was near the Grand Palace where the body of the late King of Thailand was place and open for visiting. Going here should have in proper dress code. Technically everyone (men and women) should wear long sleeved tops and long trousers. All shoes should have the toes covered as well. Realistically this only applies when you go inside the Reclining Buddha building and any of the bots (chapels).
I experienced also dropping coins in their 108 bronze bowls in the corridor representing the 108 auspicious characters of Buddha as it is believed to bring good fortune, and it also helps to maintain the place. After Wat Pho, we went to a well-known successful food chain in Thailand, the Mont Nom Sut. Famous for their toasts and milk. Their toasts comes with a variety of delicious fillings (Original Coconut Custard, Coconut Custard, Condensed Milk, Sugar, Marmalade Jam, Chocolate, Corn Soup, Strawberry Jam, Taro Custard) at just 23 baht. Of course, we tried their chocolate, strawberry, condensed milk and pandan fillings with their delicious juices. They also have a variety of breads for sale. Mont Nom Sut is really famous were foreigners and even locals spend time to visit this place. So be patient a bit as you need to wait for a while to get a table were you will enjoy your food. After having snacks, we went to Terminal 21 where we experienced riding their underground train (which my second time after Hong Kong). Terminal 21 brings the dream of traveling the world to downtown Bangkok, with it's cutting-edge concept that places several world-famous cities under one roof. Here you will experience a lifestyle mall with a personality. A luxurious place for me with a very nice architectural designs and a good ambiance. People who love shopping for branded items will love this place.
Other Photos from Wat Pho:
Our Day 5 was all about Baiyoke Sky Hotel experience and I will just share it with you guys in a different page.
Our Day 6 was the most painful part, the moment you need to leave and go back home. I will really miss Thailand, their food, lifestyle, transportation, locals and especially my Filipino friend. Special mention to our dearest friend Jane Secula who helped us in planning the trip and letting us stay in her apartment. Thank you friend for everything (our tour guide/interpreter, introducing us to different Thai food, being our UNO master and especially cooking my midnight snack). I know that you had a personal struggles prior this but still you let us enjoy our stay there. My experience and beautiful memories won't be that awesome without your help. And to my hubby whose been very supportive in everything I do, I love you! 😘
Pictures with friends:
