More visitors go to Thailand than they do anywhere else in southeast Asia. I think it may even be the country where I’ve been the most. I love it. The people, the countryside, the urban landscape, the islands, the beaches, the scuba diving and of course the food.
I moan and groan a great deal when I try food at many a Thai restaurant here in Oz and am presented with flavourless kee passed-off as Thai cuisine. A little harshly put, I know, but what’s so difficult about doing things the way they should be done? At least I can look forward to the next trip to The Kingdom.
Of all the times we’ve been to Thailand, I’ve lost count now, every minute is treasured. The first stop for most is Bangkok. Those crazy tuk tuk drivers trying to rip you off, the ferry rides on the Chao Phraya, swanky dinner and cocktails at Sirocco or new kid on the block Red Sky, shopping at the sprawling Chatuchak Market, drinks with the boys at Silom Soi 4, or just a quiet stroll through Lumphini Park.
One of our visits brought us to the floating markets at Damnoen Saduak, located about 65 km from Bangkok. It does get extremely touristy here so I’d recommend a very early start, before the bus-loads arrive. It’s a bustling spectacle of traditional wooden canoes laden with colourful fruits and vegetables and once you see past the hundreds of farangs armed with video cameras, you’ll get a sense of what it was like before word got out about this place.
Another visit took us to the coastal town of Ao Nang, a relatively sleepy strip of beach lined with restaurants, shops and bars amongst the rugged limestone cliffs and forest. We stayed in the lovely Pakasai Resort up on the hill with its gorgeous infinity pool and luch tropical gardens. Boat trips can be taken from the beach out to several monkey-inhabited islands and heavenly quiet beaches with warm, clear water.
One time we spent some time at the idylic Ko Phi Phi Don. This was before the devastating tsunami of December 2004 which virtually wiped out the entire island, including the place we stayed. I’m not sure what the island looks like today, but I’m glad I got to experience it before it was destroyed. My heart goes out to anyone affected.
Twinpalms is located near the very quiet Surin Beach, about ten minutes north of Patong. Far away from all the tourist hoards, yet close enough if you want a decent choice of restaurants and nightlife. The fact that where we stayed was “child free” was an absolute pleasure. Sorry, mum’s and dad’s, but there’s nothing relaxing and serene about sitting in a pool under frangipani trees listening to the sound of screaming children splashing about.
