Back from the land of smiles.

Food for thought: Why is Thailand called the land of smiles? The locals in Bangkok weren't quite the friendly bunch I'd expected.

Though this trip was more of a shopping trip more than anything else, I've returned with new ideals, dreams and questions. This is how I am - every trip out of Singapore gets the wheels in my head turning. I haven't gone into full post-trip reflection mode yet, but here's a huge realization I made about myself:

I don't quite fancy city holidays. Sure, Bangkok was a haven for shopaholics like myself but as we were all busy trying to cram the many shopping spots into our limited time there, it was barely the relaxing and rejuvenating getaway I had visualized. Thinking back on my past vacations, I've concluded that unless I'm at a resort where I have absolutely no itinerary.. where I can wake up when I please, splash around in the waters and soak up the sun... then a holiday ain't quite a holiday for me. So shopping ain't as important to me as I had thought it to be.

Shopping and reflections aside, the food was lip smacking delicious. Basil pork. Beef noodles. Wanton mee. Red ruby. Thailand is quite the foodie haven! In fact, I am inspired to pick up Thai cooking! I even went to Borders today to get myself a Thai cookbook. That's how serious I am baby. Meanwhile, here's an excerpt from my travel diary. Enjoy.

"Bangkok Day 3
Bkk time: 1900 hrs

The day was winding down was we weaved our way through Pratunam Market. As the scorching heat of the day slowly slipped into the humid coolness of evening, the throngs of people ironically dwindled.

As families gather in the front of shops, the kids playing and the adults curiously eyeing the passers-by; shopkeepers go just a little more slack with their haggling. Despite the chaotic and shabby living conditions uncommonly seen by us city slickers, the warmth of family life permeated the sticky stillness of the air into my heart.

Though the pace of life is different, we have such evenings back in hectic Singapore too. Who will be there with me to kick off our shoes and flop onto the couch after a busy work day?"

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Note (20 Feb. 2007): This was honestly the first trip where I was introduced to the nitty-gritty of travelling, and the one where I found out how horribly bad at directions I was. I was the baby of the group I was with, and I realised how I had to learn to fend for myself, and be more streetwise. This has inspired my later travels. I will not be the traveller I am today if not for this Bangkok getaway.

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