Last week, I returned from a 2 week trip to Thailand and Japan, my first trip to Asia.

Since there are no direct flights to Bangkok or Phuket form Atlanta, I was given a 2 hour layover in Tokyo which was barely enough time to change planes because my arriving flight was late and then I had to take a shuttle bus in Tokyo from one terminal to the other. Not too much fun for a drowsy tourist.

I arrived in Bangkok and grabbed a luxury cab, BMW 740 series, from the new airport to my hotel. It cost around $40.00 but I just wanted to get to my hotel asap. I could have opted for a much cheaper metered taxi which would have been around $15, but I was tired.

When arriving at my hotel, the Royal President on Sukhomvit 15, my first step out of the cab was a refreshing one. It was a balmy 85 degrees and humid, just my kind of weather. The hotel itself was nothing special from the outside, but the staff and room were clean, new, and wonderful. There was nothing they would not do for their guests. I paid on average $60US per night, a very good deal I think.

After a short nap, I grabbed a cab and asked him to take me to a "locals" restaurant and paid $4.00 (1200 bhat) for a full meal. He waited for me and then took me for a short ride around the town. Total cab fare for an evening was 200 bhat, around $6.00US. It was well worth it because the street signs are all in Thai and I probably couldnt have found my way back to the hotel on my own.

The next morning I decided to take a tour of Bangkok, and who did I see upon going into the lobby but my friend the taxi driver from the previous night waiting for me. He took me around town, shopping centers, temples, etc for 300 bhat for the day and waited the whole time for me. He asked if I wanted to go on a boat tour of the river, so I agreed and he came with me on the tour. The price was way too high, $60US for a 2 hour private boat tour, but it gave me a chance to see part of Bangkok from the river. The highlight of the boat tour was feeding the fish in front of the temple so that the priests could catch fish. To feed the fish, the boat driver stopped at a water market and asked me to buy a loaf of bread. I though it was for her, but we ended up feeding the fish instead. There were some huge fish there and I hope my bread went to good use.

After being in Bangkok for 2 days, I decided to go to the nearest beach, Pattaya. It cost me 1500 bhat to get there, and a 90 minute car trip. Pattaya was the beach that some board members suggested was the closest beach to Bangkok, and it was really nothing special. I was particularly embarrassed by the number of female street workers there. Not Disneyland thats for sure. I stayed at the Woodlands resort, cost around $100 per night, and the room was a short walk to the beach and was pretty decent quality and featured a full breakfast. I dont think I would go back to Pattaya, nothing much to see, and the beach was not very tropical.

Went back to Bangkok and spent the next 2 days just shopping. Tshirts are a bargain, I ended up buying around 20 of them, plus jewelry, scarves, etc. I had to buy a whole new suitcase to bring home all the souvenirs. Crazy! One of the nights I decided to eat at a restaurant called Cabbages and Condoms, despite the name the food was excellent but came out to around $20 for dinner, pricey for Bangkok.

Since Pattaya was a letdown, I decide to hop an Air Asia jet to Phuket, and it was a great decision. $30 got me there, very cheap airfare! I stayed at the Best Western Bangtao Beach, it cost around $120 per night, but was a wonderful hotel. It is right on the beach, includes full breakfast, and they have massage table, literally dozens of them right on the grounds. I ventured out to Phuket Town one time, needlessly, I am not a bar person and didnt find much to do there, so I stayed at the hotel the rest of the time.

The beach is wonderful, panoramic views of the mountains adjacent tot the beach, clear warm water, and sun every day. I decided to buy some locally produced sun tan lotion, which said on the bottle 30SPF, and it was the biggest mistake of my trip. Although I applied it regularly, I got a pretty bad sunburn at the end of the day. 30SPF? No way. It was probably only 5 or 15 or maybe even only a mislabeled moisturizer. Note to self: Dont trust local sun tan lotion, bring your own next time.

While at the hotel, I decided to get a massage right on the beach by a woman who had to be in her 60's or 70's. 300 bhat for an hour, and a great massage! I went back to her every day that I was there, she walked on my back which is something you cant get in the states.

After a few days, I returned to BKK, and it was nice to be back in a big city. Didnt do much because of my sunburn, but did some more shopping and touring.

On the trip back home to Atlanta, I had a 10 hour layover in Tokyo, which happens to be the Mecca of anime Japanese cartoon animation. My daughter is very interested in anime, so I shopped a few stores, spent some more souvenir money, and then headed back to the airport home.

Maybe it's because I am 49 years old, or maybe because I am not in tip-top physical shape, but it has taken me a week to get used to being back home. The 29 hour plane ride is long but they keep you busy with movies and food, but the time change and the weather change has taken it's toll. I have slept more this past week than I have in years, and was lucky to have a light work load when I got back.

I would go back to Thailand for business or vacation in a heartbeat. The weather, people, food, low prices, and geographic diversity make it hard to resist.

Thanks Rob for your JBR it was a great read. We stayed at the Woodlands recently and liked it... however, Pattaya isn't on my top ten list and can never see us returning there either (horses for courses)
Cabbages and Condom restaurant in Pattaya is very lovely and well worth the visit.

Cheers Geri

Nice

Bang Tao Beach

Thanks Rob for the post

__________________
There are two categories of travellers, those that experience a country and those that take their home with them wherever they go.

Be warned, as with any forum, picking a fight with the admin guy is not recommended!

Great JBR Rob.Thanks! Don't envy your 29 hour plane trip!
From one 49 year old to another, Happy Xmas!
Cheers
Roslyn

Another "Phuket" and Thailand-lover is born!

That is still the nice thing about Phuket! it may be spoilt by tourism, but every beach has his own atmosphere!

Fore secluding, Bang Tao, For partying, Patong, For more family orientated, Kata, for more authenticity, Rawai with New Harn beaches....

Thanks Rob for the read, I think you are lucky to have met an honest cab driver and did not rip you off .. you got great deals there ! You surely bought a lot ! lol