BANGKOK, THAILAND - Amazing Thailand
When I started working, I make sure to have at least one great vacation in a year. But since I began to travel quite sometime in some local destinations in the Philippines, I switched my goal. And that's to take one international flight, at least in a year.
You might be thinking that traveling is a an expensive leisure. But you can make it as affordable as possible when you do advance planning and strategic research.
For me, traveling is an important part of life. I always love an escape, I always want to see something unusual and experience something extraordinary. I always feel a different sense of achievement every after travel.
The excitement of getting ready for a trip and the anticipation helps me more motivated on my daily routine as I know that I have something to achieve on the coming days.
This year, I was actually planning to visit Cambodia since my Auntie is working there and promised to accommodate me and accompany me on my travel. But I switched my plan going to Thailand since Bangkok has more amazing places compare to Cambodia.
THE PREPARATION
As usual, I read some travel blogs about Thailand. Gathered all the tips and list the top destination to visit. Besides Blogger, Virtual Tourist is also a nice page to visit for some travel tips and learn real travel experiences from different travelers around the globe. Members in Virtual tourist are also nice and helpful, that when you asked them for some tips, they will give you all the information you need for your future travel. I always make sure I have my print outs for the addresses and map of places I am planning to visit. (Though you can ask some travel guide book and map at the airport and hotels)
Things you will need to think of before leaving for your trip:
1. Passport - be sure that your passport is always validated.
2. International airline tickets - make sure to have your copy as it will always needed upon checking in at the airport.
3. Camera - make sure to document your travel. Friends might be waiting for your great photo uploads on facebook. (LOLS)
4. Cash/ Card - it is always advisable to have both cash and card for immediate need and security purposes. Just make sure you have money with your destination currency ready before going on a flight or the best place to change your local money is at the airport.
5. Small Medical Kit - Safety first. Make sure to ready your first aid kit and some tablets for stomach ache, head ache or allergies. It is always better to be ready at all times.
And of course, don't forget to TRAVEL LIGHT.
Here are some tips:
A. Use a small / medium bag - the bag should be lightweight and easy to carry. It is helpful to have a bag that can be carried as a backpack.
B. Determine the climate conditions of your destination.
Check the weather report, so that you know what type of clothing to
bring with you. For example, if the weather is going to be warm, then
there is no need to bring a heavy jacket. If it is going to be sunny,
then bring a hat, etc.
C. Plan your wardrobe so that everything matches with everything else. This does not have to be monochromatic or boring. Rather, it suggests a minimalist approach to fashion.I usually bring two pants then more on shirts.
D. Bring enough clean underwear. This is so that you can
get through at least half of your journey's time without doing laundry,
up to 5 days time. After that, you will have to do laundry anyway. This
also goes for socks, if you will be wearing those daily. And, bring
laundry supplies, if you are planning on doing laundry.
E. Bring the proper shoes. Bring at least two pairs of shoes that you can walk in comfortably.
F. Consider your packing space carefully. Roll clothes
into small rolls to reduce wrinkling. Make a proper usage of the space
you have, and try being creative about it!
G. Pack smart and practical. Keep your hand lotion,
water, sunglasses, ear plugs, snacks,
toothbrush, floss, hair brush/comb, a change of underwear, pen, sticky
notes, and any special medicines and necessary items you need in the top
of your bag or in a separate hand bag, because you never know what may
happen when you travel. Do not carry all your valuables in this bag
(e.g., camera, computer, jewelry, etc.). If its stolen, you won't lose
all your valuables at once.
H. Remember security and precautions. Keep your ID,
money, credit cards, in a security pouch. Keep some small currency in
your pocket for little purchases (rather than pulling out everything
each time). Carry photocopies of your ID, visas, and credit cards with
you but in a separate compartment from the real ones (the idea
being that if you lose one, you still have the other). Copies can also
be scanned and kept on a USB thumb drive (possibly encrypted). Consider
'buddy packing' where your travel partner keeps your important
photocopies and you keep theirs.
Welcome to Bangkok
GETTING INTO THE PLACE
It’s my first time to visit Bangkok. Like Philippines, humidity knocks me over , and traffic is everywhere. But if you don't want to experience traffic,you can take on their train instead.
Thailand has one of the best metre-gauge rail systems in the world, and train travel is easily the best way to get around & see the country. Train travel in Thailand is comfortable, safe and cheap.
You will appreciate Thailand as this is one place where everything you want can be easily acquired on almost any budget. You'll enjoy spending your Philippine Peso with a little difference to Thailand Baht. Great hotels, posh spas, and delicious foods can be yours for a fraction of the price you've ever paid elsewhere. Affordable restaurants, hotels, and stores are are everywhere. But since I always take advantage on my employee rate, I stayed to one among our newest hotel in Thailand, The Holiday Inn Express Siam.
Is riding an elephant in Thailand on your bucket list? If it is, then here's few you can try:
If you would just like to experience an encounter with and Elephant, maybe take some photos or have a ride for few minutes. You can include the "Siam Niramit Show" on your itinerary. This is actually a cultural show about history of Thailand, but before the show you can experience an elephant ride for just a hundred baht. These elephants are also part of the cultural show. Click here for some photos. And to check on rates, you may visit their website.
ELEPHANT RIDE
But if you want to experience adventure with elephants, you can try to visit different elephant parks in Bangkok, like Samphran Elephant Ground & Zoo and Khao Yai National Park.It's easy to inquire in any travel agency in Bangkok for an elephant experience tour. They usually include this on their itinerary or as an option for you, depending on your budget and tour schedule preference. I highly suggest to contact my recent tour guide, Ms. Vee at vj_veevie@yahoo.co.th You can always make a good deal with her.
Exploring the Thai Village
Ooopps!! My trip is just about to start. You may click below for my Temples Visit.
WHAT'S NEXT?
FUN FACTS ABOUT BANGKOK
1. Thai Food
If there’s one thing Bangkok will not disappoint, it’s your taste buds. From five star restaurants to colorful street food stalls, Bangkok offers a unique culinary adventure to all types of travelers. You can’t miss their fragrant jasmine rice – a staple that goes with just about anything but most perfectly with their spicy dishes! For an exotic kick, try fried cockroaches and caterpillars in the night markets or have authentic Pad Thai cooked right before your eyes. Wherever your pleasure lies, dining and drinking is sure to be one of the highlights of your Bangkok trip.
2. Longest Name of Place
Bangkok currently holds the Guinness record for having the longest name of a place. Apparently “Bangkok” is just the short version because the city’s ceremonial name is “Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit”. Say what?
3. Hot hot hot!
Several years ago, Bangkok was named the hottest city in the world by the World Meteorological Organization. It may not be the hottest city in the world every single day but you can be sure it’s pretty consistent. Touring the Grand Palace (a large complex of palaces and temples) at 10 in the morning is almost unbearable due to the scorching heat. When exploring the city, be sure to keep hydrated and bring an umbrella.
4. Temple City
Bangkok can very well be called “Temple City” with the presence of Buddhist temples in almost every street and corner. These fascinating temples serve as one of the greatest cultural symbols of Thailand.
5. Colorful Candy Cabs
If you like colors particular candy hues, you’ll be delighted by the streets of Bangkok because candy-colored cabs are everywhere! Unlike in other big cities where taxi cabs come uniform in color, taxi cabs in Bangkok vary in hue depending on which company a cab belongs to. So expect to see lots of happy colors in the streets – bright green, sky blue, vivid orange, and my favorite – lovely baby pink cabs.
6. Underwear is a Must.
We all know underwear is pretty essential, but not as much as in Thailand and Bangkok, where leaving the house with no underwear on can very well land you in jail. Going bare-chested in public is illegal too.
7. Thais love their King.
No doubt. The nation’s adoration for him is particularly apparent in Bangkok where pictures and posters of the royal power can be found in almost every other street. Take note that it’s also illegal to say anything bad about the king or to even laugh at a picture of him. In the cinemas, a short tribute clip to the king is played before a movie starts and everyone is expected to stand up and pay respect. I experience this when I watched the "Siam Niramit Show". Before the play started they played video about their King.
8. World’s Best City
In the thirteenth annual World’s Best Awards Readers’ Survey of globally leading travel magazine Travel + Leisure, Bangkok was named as “World’s Best City 2008”, beating 2007 winners Florence, Italy and Bali, Indonesia. Bangkok has been in the top 5 for the last three years but gained top spot only in 2008, winning over famed cities of the west like New York, Rome, and San Francisco. With its rich culture, fantastic food, excellent shopping, vibrant sceneries, nightlife, and more, Bangkok has no doubt become well-loved all over the globe.
Source: http://www.venere.com/blog/bangkok-fun-facts/
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