Tantilizing Thailand

Natalie Matthews on 22 July 2013
Thailand - one of the most compelling trips that I have ever been on. My experience began with Thai Airways, a seamless check-in and an enjoyable flight to follow. After an 11 and a half hour flight we began to see the sun rising over Bangkok. As we made our descent we could see little islands popping out of the bay area and wetlands began to appear making way for the Metropolis City of Bangkok! True excitement was in the air! Our airport transfer to the Chatrium Riverside Hotel took just over 45 minutes allowing us a sneak preview of the city. The Chatrium Riverside is a 4 Star hotel located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, our superior rooms had the most amazing views of the daily activities on the river and at night it came alive with lights and music as the various Ferries and Dinner Cruises that went by. Our room was also equipped with a small kitchenette. The Hotel has a complimentary Ferry directly to the Main Pier, where we caught a local ferry up the river taking us past Wat Arun Temple as well as the Grand Palace. We had an exciting morning of exploration, traveling by Ferry, Tuk Tuk, Taxi's and even navigated the Skyrail with ease. After a quick visit & inspection of the 5 Star Amari Watergate Hotel located right in the heart of the shopping district, we stopped by the MBK Shopping Mall for bargain shopping, from clothing to accessories and electronics. Getting back to our hotel was extremely easy, hopping onto the Skyrail again; we stopped at the Main Pier and were able to catch the Hotel Ferry directly to our hotel. On our second day in Bangkok we decided to explore the well-known Chatachak Weekend Market. There are over 8000 stalls and they are well worth a visit. After shopping up a storm we stopped at a local pub for refreshments before heading back into Bangkok and onto the Central World Mall for more shopping. On our second night we caught a Ferry from the Chatrium Riverside to a local restaurant / bar area called Asiatech. Here we were able to sample some local dishes as well as browse through a few more shops before packing up for our onward trip to Phuket. The next morning we caught an early flight from Bangkok to Phuket, on arrival in Phuket it had been raining but this did not deter our adventures. We checked into a Superior Pool View Room at the Banthai Beach Hotel located in the heart of Patong. Patong is an extremely busy area and this hotel is a little gem tucked away from all the hustle and bustle. While in Phuket we enjoyed a speedboat trip to the famous James Bond Island which included lunch in a typical Gypsy Village and our first swim in the Andaman Sea. The following day we had a site inspection of the Amari Coral Hotel, a luxury hotel tucked away at the end of Patong with its own secluded beach and an amazing Spa with uninterrupted views of the ocean. In the evening we took a stroll down Bangla Road, not recommended for families with young children but interesting to say the least. We also ate at the local restaurants and stopped at the Hard Rock Cafe. From Phuket we hopped onto a Ferry and headed towards Phi Phi Island which took just over an hour and a half. On arrival on Tonsai in Phi Phi we were collected by a local Long Tail boat belonging to our next hotel, the luxurious Outrigger Phi Phi Resort. This resort is absolutely amazing, it has an expansive stretch of beach, calm & clear waters to swim & snorkel in, hammocks hanging in between palm trees, and this was a true island experience where we could relax to our hearts content! The accommodation at the hotel consisted of individual thatched bungalows - typical Thai style. The hotel has various options for dining, there is even a local village behind the hotel that comes alive at night with restaurants and bars. You can also hire a local Long Tail Boat to take you back into Tonsai for more shopping or snorkelling and island hopping trips. You could also visit the dive centre located at the hotel. All in all Thailand has exceeded my expectations with its diversity, culture and beauty. From the bustling city of Bangkok to the friendly people and tropical islands, I will definitely return for more exploration and adventures!