Phuket, Thailand

Phuket is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, and after spending two weeks on the island, I can completely understand the appeal. The natural beauty is undeniable, nightlife is crazy, and the people are just incredible. Of course the food is also amazing (I could eat Thai food every day for the rest of my life and be completely satisfied). January is also one of the best times of year to visit Phuket. Weather was warm, but not oppressive, and it didn’t rain once throughout the entire two weeks.

The island has a very mountainous landscape, which means that everyone will get a good workout at some point in their vacation. My hotel was built into the side of a mountain, so I had to climb up the equivalent of a 20-story building every day just to reach my room, the gym, and the club lounge. On the bright side, most of the rooms had amazing high views of the coastline.

View from the club lounge at my hotel

I can’t speak for all hotels, but mine did not have direct beach access. Instead, it relied on a massive infinity-edge pool. Personally, I would much rather swim in a pool than in the ocean, so I was perfectly happy. The poolside bar service was an added benefit (although this is Thailand…even the beaches have people walking around to sell drinks). 

I will take a pool over a beach any day

When the weekend came along, my colleagues insisted on showing me a big night out. It started with dinner at a local seafood place that looked more like a pet store than a restaurant. In the front were giant fish tanks where you could catch your own meal. They grilled it up right in front of us and then delivered it to the table. It doesn’t get fresher than that! 
 

The "chef" grilling up our dinner

One of many tasty seafood options at dinner

After dinner, we went to Patong beach for a more traditional tourist experience. As we walked through the strip of bars on Bangla Road, I was amazed by the number of girls dancing on stripper poles. My brother would have loved these places, but I actually found them trashy and uncomfortable. Fortunately, my colleagues did not take me to any of these places. Instead, they booked a private table at a nightclub called Seduction, which was a complete contrast to the bars surrounding it. The clientele was still very casual, but the environment was much more sophisticated. My favorite parts of the experience (besides the VIP bottle service) were the acrobatic performances and costumed dancers on stage. Even though I would not have chosen to visit Patong beach on my own, I’m glad I got to experience real Phuket nightlife.

One of the less appealing bars on Bangla Road

More girls dancing on poles

Performance at Seduction Nightclub

Dancer at Seduction Nightclub

The next day was much more low-key, as I spent some time at a nearby beach called Kamala. Just like everywhere else in Thailand, it is full of bargain massage studios and street vendors selling delicious food and drinks. I timed my visit to coincide with the sunset, which was more stunning than anything I have ever seen before. I have never been to Hawaii, but I would imagine that it rivals what I saw in Kamala. 

Kamala Beach

Romantic (topless) setting at Kamala Beach

Sunset at Kamala Beach

Sun setting on Kamala Beach

Sunday, my colleagues arranged an excursion to nearby Phi Phi Island in Krabi. We started the day super early to catch the ferry, which took about 2.5 hours to reach the island. Most of the trip was in the open seas, but as we arrived at the island, we were treated to the most stunning cliffs that emerged from the ocean like they had been dropped from the sky. There were quite a few secluded caves, which were perfect for kayaking.

Arriving at Phi Phi Island

Spectacular cliffs jutting out of the water

We decided to take a snorkeling trip, which was another first for me. The boat docked and we all jumped off the side into the clear blue water. I have an irrational fear of breathing out of a tiny tube with my face under water, but I calmed myself down after practicing for a few minutes. I was amazed by the number of fish that swam past me as they effortlessly avoided my grip (yes, I tried touching them). When I swam closer to the coastline, I noticed some beautiful corals but I was afraid of stepping on the jagged rocks so close to my next marathon, so I didn’t spend too much time in the shallow waters. 

In order to attract the fish, the workers on the boat were tossing small pieces of bread off the edge of the boat. It worked like a charm and there were literally thousands of fish that surrounded all of us. After this short experience, I am now really interested in taking an extended diving vacation to the Great Barrier Reef. That will be on my bucket list before leaving Asia.

The scene around the boat

Proof that the fish were everywhere!

There's always one guy who tries to catch the fish!

After snorkeling, we returned to the island for lunch and some free time to relax on the beaches. Despite being made famous by the movie The Beach (14 years ago), it seems like they are just now developing Phi Phi Island into an overnight tourist destination. Unfortunately, the seasonality in Thailand makes it difficult for companies to have a successful year-round business.

Finally arriving on Phi Phi Island

Boats lined up along the shore

Our group on the beach!

The sun was beginning to set when we returned to Phuket, so my colleagues took me to a lighthouse on a cliff, which is known for having some of the most spectacular sunsets in the world. I was tired at this point, but I still appreciated the gesture. The ride back to the hotel took over an hour, which displayed the large size of the island and the lack of express roads. The entire time, we were basically weaving our way through little beachside neighborhoods that looked surprisingly similar to one another.

Another beautiful sunset in Phuket

My second week in Phuket was just like the first. I looked out from my window at paradise every morning, drank Thai iced tea from the local street vendor (hand-delivered by my extremely generous local friends), and savored evening dinners al fresco by the pool. I can totally see why so many people choose Phuket as a romantic getaway, but I think it is also a great destination for a group of friends or a bachelor party (thanks to the nightlife).

Without a doubt, Thailand is one of my favorite countries in the world to visit, and Phuket lives up to the hype. It has a similar feeling as Aruba, except the nightlife is more over-the-top, the prices are much more reasonable, and the views from the cliffs are even more stunning. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. 

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is one of those cities that just makes me feel happy. The people are so gracious and hospitable, food is amazing, and the atmosphere has a contagious "buzz" that draws me in. My first time visiting Bangkok was back in 2010 and I have so many fun memories from the trip. Needless to say, I was beyond excited to spend two weeks exploring even more of Thailand's capital.

My hotel has a stunning mix of classic and modern design that made me feel right at home. It was also a perfect escape from the chaotic and lively streets. Sensory overload is a big part of Bangkok's appeal, but I don't think I would appreciate it as much if I couldn't escape to such a comfortable retreat each night. Perhaps I have been brainwashed in my current industry, but I really think it is important for travelers to splurge for a nice hotel so they can go to sleep with a sense of ease and wake up each morning feeling refreshed.



My retreat from the busy streets of Bangkok

When I look out over the city each morning at breakfast, the skyline appears just like any other modern metropolis. Buildings and construction cranes fill the landscape around the hotel, while Western businessmen fill the lounge. Walking through the streets is the only way to notice just how quickly Bangkok must have engulfed the local people in its rapid development.  The remnants of a simpler day exist on almost every sidewalk, as street vendors sell low-cost food and clothing items to those who can't afford the luxury that now surrounds them. Bangkok truly has something for everyone.



View of the city from the hotel's executive lounge

The staff is always so proud to share their local foods with me and Bangkok is one place where I enthusiastically accept anything that appears on my plate. Thai food is so rich in variety and I was eager to try it all.  Knowing this, the staff treated me with a feast of options at every meal. I enjoyed every single thing that I tried, which is very rare for such an otherwise picky eater. Of course I don't remember the names of anything because they were always ordered (in Thai) on my behalf. The staff even brought in some homemade food for me to try throughout my two week stay. The delicate mix of flavors and the fresh ingredients make me think that I would double in size if I lived in Bangkok.

On Friday night, a few of us visited Asiatique. which is an entertainment complex that was formerly a factory district. I loved the fun atmosphere and it actually reminded me of Downtown Disney. Throughout the week, I kept telling people that I love spicy food, so they really tested my limit by ordering some of the most spicy things they could find on the menu. After only a few minutes, I was pouring sweat in the middle of the restaurant, while my local colleagues looked like they were eating a bowl of ice cream. I learned quickly that my tolerance to spice is measured to an entirely different standard.  


View of the riverfront from Asiatique



One of the entrances to Asiatique

I couldn't resist riding back to the hotel in a tuk tuk because they are always more fun than traditional taxis. In Bangkok, the polished chrome bars are perfect for reflecting the colorful lights that shine from these noisy, polluting vehicles. My colleagues said that locals never ride in tuk tuks (other than students), and their statement was proven true many times as we approached the hotel.



Riding back to the hotel and looking like tourists

My fascination with Thai culture extends to religion; particularly all the beautiful shrines that are seen throughout the city. There is no official state religion in the Thai constitution, but over 90% of the population is Buddhist and almost every home or building has its own "spirit house" displayed in a very auspicious location to bring good luck. It is not hard to see the many spirit houses in front of each building but I had to keep my eyes open because there were also several beautiful shrines hidden between modern skyscrapers. Here, the Wat Pathumwanaram Ratchaworawihan sits undisturbed between two shopping malls and I would have never noticed it if I didn't look above the barrier walls that separate it from the street.


Wat Pathumwanaram Ratchaworawihan (Buddhist Shrine)

 

This is what the inside looks like

The Erawan shrine at my hotel is the most widely visited in the entire city. Seated within the shrine is the 4-faced Brahma God and it is constantly surrounded by visitors that offer gifts and prayers. If you don't have a gift to offer, it's no problem because there are countless street vendors nearby selling everything from flowers to fruit. Tourists are also treated to women that sing and dance, wearing some elaborate outfits and dangerous headgear!



Erawan Shrine, as viewed from the pedestrian walkway above the street



This headgear would be considered a weapon in most countries!

Nightlife and shopping are probably the biggest attractions in Bangkok and they are actually somewhat intertwined. Many of the street markets don't even open up until after dark, and they sell everything imaginable (and even some things that you wouldn't imagine). I always thought that bargaining is part of the whole experience, but I found that most vendors these days offer a fixed price to avoid the haggling (which I much prefer). Although the street markets are fun, a lot of the items for sale are very low quality. Nightlife, on the other hand, is amazing from any perspective, and you can enjoy any type of bar without judgment. Dive bars, ladyboy shows, karaoke rooms, and luxury rooftop lounges are all part of the landscape, and the prices are generally much lower than other big cities.



Heineken Bar in front of Central World



Drinks with colleagues from Singapore, Thailand, and Cambodia

Anyone looking for luxury shopping has plenty of options in Bangkok, and the malls are on par with any other major city. Siam Paragon mall has everything from Dior to Burberry, where bags sell for higher than an average working class annual salary. Walking through the mall felt like being back in America. Even the food court was full of American classics such as McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, Cinnabon, and even Garrett's Popcorn.

People with more avant-garde taste in clothing can also find plenty of options in Siam Center mall. If I hadn't just ordered two custom suits for myself earlier in the week, I may have been enticed to splurge for some truly unique clothing. Instead, I just amused myself by window shopping at the widest range of stores I have ever seen - including some that sell eyebrows (which they call "eye wigs"). Who ever heard of such a thing?  Only in Asia...



Trendy shop in Siam Center Mall



Browhaus...for your eyebrow needs!



Even people without eyebrows can look beautiful here!

I can't really decide exactly what it is about Bangkok that draws me in. I have been to many places with nice people, good food, and fun nightlife, but Bangkok elevates each of these experiences to the next level in my mind. Elements of Thai culture are apparent to anyone who takes the time too look, but the city also has plenty of modern conveniences that appeal to those who are less willing to branch out of their comfort zone.