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Home Away from Home
There
is no place like home. You have heard this often-quoted phrase time and again.
So what we do, is just take second homes (or maybe a third), when we settle and
relocate our families in the US, Canada, or in any other part of the world. After
all, they say, home is where the heart is. For me, Bangkok in nearby Thailand
is like a home away from home. More than ten years ago, I first went to Bangkok
for a vacation. I had a return trip since then - more than once, or twice. Alright,
it was much more than that. But after my 20th trip, I stopped counting. And yes,
I still go to Bangkok, whenever I have the chance.
And
you can ask why. This is not one of those times where we say proximity is the
key. Other places in the region, only takes an hour or so to reach by plane. Hongkong
takes around the same time, if one flies to Bohol from Manila. But Thailand draws
more visitors than any other country in Southeast Asia. It has an irresistible
combination of breathtaking natural wonders, such as stunning temples, ancient
ruins, wildlife, and beaches, and the comforts of an urban metropolis. Truly,
Thailand is a place of contrasts. Think of Leonardo Di Caprio's The Beach, and
his search for an exotic paradise, or to Jodie Foster's The King and I, of shining
gold palaces and temples (even if some shots were taken in Malaysia, but it did
recapture the era), and the number of pop songs it had inspired in the 80s.
Bangkok
is supposedly, Manila's sister city since June 1997. And it does have some similarities.
That's why it feels like you are never really away from home. And I don't just
mean the number of viajeras that we run into, or the fact that I often run into
someone from Manila when I am in Bangkok - from the hotel lobby, to the shopping
areas, or the Bangkok immigration area, and even on the plane. I once run into
a general whom I've worked before at the airport luggage train, a friend I haven't
seen from my dormitory days in college aboard the plane to Bangkok, and a Singaporean
from ASEAN who has since moved to Geneva, while I was checking in my bags in Don
Muang airport.
At
the heart of the city is its charmed blending of the old and new. From the skytrain,
or your world-class room, you can see temples, and river canals that have withstood
the test of time.
Shopping
is always a staple in Bangkok, next to Thai food of course. There are strategic
malls that connect to the train station, if you don't feel like riding the tuktuk
(a bigger version of the tricycle), or taking a taxi. But a favorite is the MBK
Mall, which connects to the Discovery Centre, and the Siam Square. There are a
lot of upscale shopping places and malls filled with stalls, restaurants, cinemas,
and everything else you can think of. And yes, there's the weekend market in Chatuchak,
which has everything, and anything that you can think of for souvenirs at bargain
prices.
Thai
food, is definitely, not to be missed in Bangkok. It goes without saying that
the best Thai food is in Bangkok, ever since I had a taste of tom yum from the
Thai restaurant in the Royal Athenee Hotel (said to be a favorite of a member
of the Thai royal family). For years, I've had gastronomic delights in various
parts of the city.
There
are a lot of attractions in Bangkok, from the inspiring temples, to the bustling
nightlife. But if you have to pick three, that would be the Grand Palace, Wat
Po, and the National Museum. Expect a crowd and queues at the Grand Palace, a
complex built in 1782, and occupies 60 acres of land. You can wander around and
ogle at the mosaic rich walls and pillars, and intricate murals. Don't wear revealing
clothes, or you will risk borrowing the clothes from the visitor's entrance, which
needs no explanation. Every tourist wearing sleeveless shirts or shorts have likely
worn the same clothes you will be borrowing. Consider yourself warned.
Wat
Po is famous for its reclining golden Buddha, which is 46 meters long. If you
can't get enough of temples, try the Emerald Buddha, which is only 60 centimeters
tall but is part of Thailand's history. For what it's worth, just observe the
rituals, light the incense, and throw in some coins. A little help from above
might come in handy as you haggle for prices later on.
The
National Museum is the largest museum in Southeast Asia, and has an impressive
collection of sculptures and Thai history. But if you're not into museum, try
Jim Thompson's house, which is actually composed of six traditional teak houses.
There's a collection of antiques, but tourists go there and get souvenirs made
of the famed Thai silk. You can also try the floating market, or take a ferry
ride at the Chao Praya River (or a dinner cruise for that matter, complete with
salsa dancing at the top deck on your return trip, but know that your friends
can see you in their TV screens below). The ferry ride is best during the Songkran
festival, if you want to avoid getting splashed with water, or smudged with white
powder. Besides, a traffic free ride, and a great view of the majestic temples
and Bangkok skyline are enough reasons to Asia's Venice of the East. And for the
brave, there is the snake farm, Thai boxing, or you can just soothe yourself with
a relaxing spa, or Thai massage from your hotel.
If
you venture out of Bangkok, try the Ancient City, touted as the largest open-air
museum in the world in an 80-hectare (200 acre) site. You can find more than a
hundred scale models of impressive monuments in Thailand. The replica of an ancient
kingdom, you can recapture the past, ride a bike, watch wood craftsmen/ sculptors,
and stop for a noodle dish by the road. And still see monkeys asking for bananas.
Amazing.
And
in the south and east of Thailand are paradise islands with fabulous beaches.
Worth visiting are the famed Koh Samui and Phuket islands. And up north, explore
Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, with its rich cultures, and elephant rides in the countryside.
I
discovered a second home in Thailand. But once in a while, we need to come home
to remind ourselves, that indeed there is no place like home. And this is why
I find myself in Bohol this weekend. And to the balikbayans who are here for the
Sandugo festival, maayong pag-abot kadugong Bol-anon. |
