- Because it was my first time in Thailand and for a 3 day international trip, I love how I travelled so light -- just my little pink backpack and my favorite travel shoulder bag. ;)
- Because I was impressed with Suvarnabhumi Airport's exterior design. It reminds me of the head/mask of Ultraman, hehehe.
- Because I was not ripped off by the taxis. I had been warned about the taxi drivers not using their meter and trying to make a contract instead with an overpriced amount. There is a taxi queue outside the airport arrival and it said there that the taxi's will be using meter and there is just a 50 Baht surcharge. So I got into a taxi, and just a couple of minutes after leaving the airport, the taxi driver asked which hotel I was going to and he started to say it is far and that it will be for a certain price. But I was firm and told him "No, I am paying by meter" and then I looked at meter to make sure it was on. Good thing the driver did not insist. The actual fare by meter was only 260 Baht (and thats even with traffic jam) plus 50 Baht surcharge. Then on my departure day, the hotel bellboy offered a taxi to me for 600Baht which of course I said no to because thats a rip off so I flagged a taxi on the street but the taxi driver started to negotiate with a fixed price of 450Baht because he said the airport is outside Bangkok (duh!). I told him I only paid 300Baht from the airport. So he agreed with 300.
- Because my hotel, Asia Bangkok Hotel, was nice. For a 4 star hotel, it was affordable and worth its price. I loved their breakfast buffet. It was also just beside an MRT station so it was quite convenient to move around Bangkok.
- Because the Thais are not hostile and I "blended in". In stores it was only when I started to stare and smile at the clerks after they greeted and spoke to me in Thai would they realize that I was of a different specie, hehe. :P
- Because I loooved their native orange juice and streetfoods, and I was so amused with how the merchandise packagings were all in Thai writing. :)
- Because the temples are just simply amazing. Even if I only visited 3 temples Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo. Plus I just loved the idea that I cruised the Chao Phraya river, something of the very few things I remember from my Asian history subject in highschool (hehehe).
- Because I met my childhood crush, my Superman: Dean Cain (*insert dreamy look here*). Nobody really recognized him except me and Verge (his Thai tour guide was impressed that we did) so we took the chance and asked him if we could have our picture taken. He was quite nice and accomodating. I was starstruck and I only managed to utter in an almost whisper "I'm a fan.." :P
- Because I was with Verge, my good friend from highschool, who is now based in Hua Hin, Thailand. He was so nice to accompany me around and be my interpreter. I was so amazed at how he can now speak Thai fluently, just from self studying. He did all the bargaining for my shopping. We really had a great time. I will never forget that on my first night in Bangkok we drank beer while walking the night market along Ratchapraroph street and then after getting a little tipsy, we went to have a traditional Thai massage (hehehe). It was really nice to have this opportunity to bond with him again like we did two years ago when he visited here in Singapore . I really, really had a fun time, (thank you very much, Verge!)
Sawasdee Ka! :)
