The Kingdom of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is not a city you merely pass through; it’s a place you absorb, slowly and deliberately, letting each street and scent settle into memory. Arriving here for the first time, I had 48 hours to peel back its layers, an ambitious timeline, perhaps, for a city so deeply rooted in tradition and mystery. Yet, Chiang Mai’s unhurried pace and reverence for detail allowed me to settle in and explore with a rare intimacy in travel.

A Piece Of Something To Call Mine - Quick Escape to Phuket

Just weeks after my trip to Bangkok last August, the travel bug hit me again, and I found myself browsing some flights on the Singapore Airlines mobile app. After exhausting most options, I thought about Phuket again because I was supposed to fly there five years ago, but it didn't push through due to a conflicting work schedule. Ugh, I know it sucks. I wanted to see another part of Asia that I hadn't explored before–so when I came across a flight from Manila to Phuket for only $250 roundtrip, I didn't think twice and booked the flight. Besides, I get to fly with Singapore Airlines again, with a few hours of layover at Changi Airport, my favorite airport.

Thailand It That Way... Again.

I was excited as my Singapore Airlines flight descended towards Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi (pronounced as Soowanapoom) Airport. Excited was an understatement, to be fair. Seated in the aisle part of the premium economy of the Airbus A350-900, I couldn't see any landmarks from the window. My only guide was the flight information map from my inflight entertainment system. Apart from finishing an entire movie of Everything, Everywhere, All At Once, I was entertained. Great movie, by the way. It took our flight forever to taxi toward our assigned gate. Bangkok's international airport is one of the largest in Southeast Asia. 

Discover a different side of Thailand with a “One Night Stay with Locals”

From southern provinces that you may already be familiar with such as Phang Nga and Chumphon, to the more remote northern provinces of Lampang, Nan and many more, 13 destinations have been carefully chosen by Tourism Authority of Thailand as part of this newly-launched “One Night Stay with Locals” project. Not only are these villages very remote (meaning you will beat the crowds even in high season), there is also a huge variety of community-focused activities available, such as getting your hands dirty picking fruit in orchids with the locals, taking tractor rides through the jungle to waterfalls or heading out on fishermen’s boats to find the catch of the day!

The Bangkok Traffic Story

The news about the death of the highly revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand swept across the world. As a sign of respect, the entire nation of Thailand was in a state of mourning. The famous night clubs and entertainment strips were closed, and almost all the locals wore black. As the country plunged into what it seemed to be the darkest moment of their modern history, it got me thinking if I should still push this trip with my friends.

PHOTO DIARY: Bangkok's Floating Market

Your Bangkok adventure is not complete without visiting their famous floating markets. Centuries ago, the banks of Chao Phraya River became a settlement area. The lives of the villagers depend on the river banks of Chao Phraya. The tributaries and canals were the primary transportation networks during that time. To answer their basic necessities, markets started to proliferate along the river banks. It canals became a center of trade.

As road and rail networks developed in the late 18th century, the villagers started relocating their markets on the ground, forcing some to close indefinitely.

Today, these floating markets still exist and became one of the famous tourist attractions in Thailand. When we visited Damnoen Saduak floating market in Bangkok, there were a lot of tourists, both local and international. I was really amazed by the experience because it felt like I was transported back to time, sans the selfie sticks, cameras, and smartphones.

PHOTO DIARY: Amazing Thailand

Last Christmas eve, while my other cousins were busy with the kids, my other cousin's wife and I had a deep conversation about one thing that we're both interested - traveling. Interestingly, she's from Thailand and obviously, we talked about the cultural differences between Thais and Filipinos. Traveling around southeast Asia made me realize that the Philippines is an odd man out in the group. I mean, we are the only predominantly Catholic country in the ASEAN region, and the western influence in our country is very apparent. It's like a third-world version of the USA!

Thailand will always be one of my favorite countries to visit. The food is delicious and cheap, the temples are stunning, and it's the perfect place for shopping! Let me share some of my favorite photos I took during my trip to Thailand. If only I had enough time, I wouldn't mind going back there and rediscover what Thailand has to offer.

Thank You, Twenty Sixteen

The year 2016 was a roller coaster ride. I have gained a lot of new experiences mostly in life but lost a few that were dear to me. This so-called adventure doesn't teach us to dwell and linger with our past, especially the bad ones, but to always to keep our steady pace as we gear towards the future. No matter how we carefully plan our paths, life will always give us surprises along the way.

The Kingdom of Ayutthaya

I was still feeling groggy from last night's bar hopping activity at Sukhumvit, one of Bangkok's bustling night districts. At half past six, we drove north of Bangkok to explore the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam - Ayutthaya (or as what my travel buddy always say in our chat group, Uttaya LOL).

Unlike most cities in the world who were put under pressure to conform, this former capital of the Siamese kingdom remained immune to these sweeping changes. The vestiges of its past allowed us to understand its influence not just in Thailand, but also throughout southeast Asia.

Patta-yeah: Day 2 of Amazing Thailand

Two hours from the fervid sprawl of Bangkok, a four-lane expressway surrounded by wild grasses and weeds led us to another city off the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. We were driving at a speed of one hundred and twenty, an antithesis of what we had experienced in downtown Bangkok.

Thailand It That Way: Exploring Bangkok

One can easily fall in love with Thailand. You can never go wrong with their vibrant and multifaceted culture, their colorful heritage, and their food. History tells us that this country was once a powerful kingdom in this region, and had fought numerous tribes and neighboring kingdoms who had tried to claim their throne. Even after their beloved king's passing a few months ago, it didn't stop us from exploring this country in Southeast Asia.

For four days, we got awed by the stunning Buddhist architecture, idled inside our van as we endured the notorious Bangkok traffic, visited temples as if we were brought back to the golden era of Siam, and rode down narrow pathways on our bicycles through verdant orchards and appreciate Thailand's timeless beauty.