So finally winter break arrived!
I was sad that I couldn't be with my family for the first time for Christmas. Really, I was a bit heart broken. But a ticket to America would have set me back about a thousand dollars, and I had a niece on the way...so I wanted to wait it out until the spring.
So I decided to take a trip to a place I had always wanted to visit, based solely on it's fine cuisine- Thailand! It just seemed so exotic to me, and I wanted to know what was all the fuss about Bangkok and Thailand's exotic beaches!
Well, I arrived by myself in Bangkok and had a very nice hotel right in the center of Ratchada Rd which was at the heart of the city. For very cheap, I was able to live in the life of luxury in a giant hotel room, equipped with a giant marble bathroom and an all you could eat delicious breakfast buffet. It was like heaven!
Soon I ventured out to the famous shopping area near Sukhumvit. There I found the cheapest in handmade bags, clothes, and goodies! We call it omiyage in Japan. I was just a shopaholic. Not to mention that I could eat well below a dollar for a hearty meal. I was truly living the life.
But I haven't gotten to the best part yet. The massages....ahhh. Now, if anyone knows me I am a sucker for a massage. In Thailand you can get an hour massage for under 10 dollars. So I made sure to get about 3 a day. Not all of them were great, but hey, what can I say, you can't beat a massage for under 10 bucks!
Then my friends arrived 3 days later! This is when the real action began. First we went to the famous RCN clubbing district which were the fanciest danceclubs around. We continued eating, shopping, and exploring. We checked a hilarious ladyboy show, which I thought was just women dancing. I had no idea that the women were men!! It was amazing! They were more feminine than any woman I had ever met!
And then for Christmas Day, we took a trek outside of Bangkok where we tried river rafting and elephant riding! How is that for a nontraditional Christmas Day!? Of course, I missed my family, but if I had to be anywhere else but with them, I have to see Thailand came in as a pretty close 2nd. For dinner, we went to nice little Italian restaurant and after danced the night away in the world reknown Bed Club! I won't ever forget it!
Then to the beaches. We headed to one of the closest islands to Bangkok Koh Samet, a cute, small cozy island that was almost deserted but packed with bungalows and restaurants. Although it wasn't the best beach in Thailand- for that you have to head down near Phucket or Krabi Islands- I still got a taste of the clear Carribean like waters and the delicious island food. I started out my day with a fresh coconut or coconut shake and a homemade traditional Thai food or French Toast- whatever I was in the mood for. I relaxed and swam during the day, and watched the ocean waves at night. It was beautiful...but I think more enjoyable for couples. All was well when I discovered the club scene and fire dancing late at night! Then I had the time of my life!
Of course, Thailand wasn't all good! There were a lot of people out to get my money! At one point I had a fight with my cab driver and I had to take him to the police! But it was all resolved (long story). If you don't get caught up in little money scams, you are bound to have the time of your life in Thailand. Just go straight for the beaches- and one day of shopping and massages in Bangkok of course!
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