A Perfect Thai Holiday

I've never thought much about going to any of the countries in this part of the world. So, I don't have a bucket list for any of them. 

Basically I picked Thailand because it was cheap to fly to, as a U.S. citizen I didn't need a visa to get into the country, and it gave me another stamp in the passport. 

It's all about the passport stamps, really. Which now means I, in a predicament because I would love to go back to Thailand.....but when there's still so many stamps to get, what is a gal to do??






Thailand is simple. 

At least after living in Shanghai for a month, that was my take on it. 

Here's a scenario to help understand why I say Thailand is simple:

Shanghai Metro
Getting onto the metro near my place in Shanghai, everyone jams together like a pack of sardines directly in front of the train doors. Thus, creating a gigantic mess of people exiting and entering the car. Pushing, shoving, nearly anything seems permitted. There was a petite little gal carrying a rolling suitcase half the size of her and twice as wide who was creating quite the stir. Had I spoken the language I would've grabbed that stupid suitcase from her, put in on the train, and at least helped the big cluster. Alas, I knew it'd be a bigger issue if I did that in the swarm of people. Instead, I did what any fully-immersed individual in China would do....I pushed and shoved her like crazy so she inadvertently pushed her suitcase onto the train!! Success!!! Then I walked past her in my actual not-so-immersed-yet mind thinking, "I hope she doesn't know it was me."

That, my friends, is the China metro system on a normal day. I didn't even get into the mad dash to push and shove to get up the escalator from the train! It actually doesn't phase me much because I'm tall and can't fairly easily push my way through if I want/need to, especially if I stick out my elbows and wear a heavy backpack!

Bangkok Subway
Without even thinking, I stood close to where the train doors would stop to open. A minute or so later a security guard came instructing me to stand in line. What? A LINE!? Plus, this person was telling me to OBEY it!? I looked down and to my wonder, there were multiple lines making it crystal clear where people entering and exiting were to be. Looking to my right, then to my left, I stood in amazement and even a little awe as I saw EVERYONE patiently waiting and obeying. The train came, doors opened, people walked out, but no one on my side moved. I thought maybe they were taking this chill-let's-obey attitude too far until I noticed a security guard walked up and down the train cars inspecting it. Finally he nodded to the security man outside the train. Only THEN were we were allowed to enter. 

Folks, I was fascinated. You would have thought I'd just come out of the jungle I was so mesmerized by their orderly system! I suddenly found myself in a civilized place. I got a little teary-eyed. Mainly because I was SUPER proud of myself that the security guard had to tell me to wait in line! Perhaps I'm getting this China thing down more than I've realized! Also because it quickly occurred to me that going back to the states will be a gigantic reverse culture shock. Basically, be prepared for me to push you if you're in my way. 

I had planned on taking the bus from the airport to Hua Hin then catch another bus from there to my resort. Instead, I missed the early bus because I was far too excited to talk with a friend from the states on the phone! 

You guys, this extrovert spends way too much time by myself and I hardly ever get to talk on the phone anymore! It was worth it! 

I got to know the Bangkok airport quite well. Had my first Thai meal there, found contact solution (something I've been looking for since arriving in Shanghai), got my SIM card, exchanged money, charged my phone, and discovered a new plan for getting to my resort.

I was told to hop on the subway, change lines at a certain stop, then the bus station would be at the second stop off the transfer. The "bus station" was actually a van station in an alley. I paid roughly $5 for a three hour van ride! 

After being in the van for over 2 1/2 hours I asked a military guy where Hua Hin was. Turns out we were there! He ended up giving me a ride straight from the next stop to my resort. 

Totally a good look, right?

 

My Evason Hua Hin, Sixth Sense Spa holiday (they call it holiday, not vacation, in China) was a dream! Never in my life would I have thought I'd enjoy a week long getaway with massages and pampering while flying solo. Honestly, the "by myself" part has always sounded more like one of my worst nightmares! Within the first four hours of being there I must've had to confirm I was indeed "only one" TWENTY times. 






Only one checking in? Yes. 
Only one in your room? Yes. 
Only one for dinner? Yes. 
Only one for the spa? Yes. 
Only one for a cocktail? Yes.  
Only one for tomorrow? Yes.

The resort was clearly more for couples and families. Phuket is the place to be for the single crowd. But I wanted to be pampered in a traditional Thai style! 

Plus, my fascination with holistic therapies was intrigued with the idea of doing a cleanse of some sort while I was on holiday. The Sixth Sense Spa has what's called a Purity Detox Program complete with specialized massages, body wraps and scrubs, food, and supplements. It seemed to suit my holistic ideals entirely! (That will have to wait for another post. It was just TOO good!)

I met a couple there my last night who have visited Evason Resort ten times now. She is from Bangkok and he is from Germany. They have travelled the world and Evason is their favorite spa. You guys, I found a gem!!

For my last day I wanted to see one or two sites in Bangkok. A limousine taxi (think: Uber vehicle with the driver in fancy restaurant waiter attire) drove me from my resort to the Grand Palace. He informed me the people there would give me clothes to wear so I was appropriate for walking around their grounds. Hadn't thought that one through.

Funniest phrase of the trip? A Thai security lady shaking her head, telling a lady in line behind me wearing a spaghetti strap top, "Madam, no sexy allowed!" The lady didn't like it, but she had to follow me into the building to get our clothes. Men have it so easy I tell ya!

 

I roamed around the grounds taking pictures. Then began taking pictures of some funny things. I think God knew I was getting bored doing this touristy stuff alone. As I was exiting, I met this sweet German gal, Corrina.

She's traveling on her own for the next seven weeks and had been in Bangkok for a couple days. She was also getting bored. As Asia's rainy season does not seem to relent, it began to pour on us. We quickly bought umbrellas and she suggested taking me to a market with traditional Thai food to wait out the rain. We had a blast eating, getting to know each other, and being goofy trying on wigs!

I caught a taxi to the airport but quickly found myself in a massive traffic jam. After sitting in the taxi for an hour and only moving a couple blocks, I got desperate. I didn't know where I was in Bangkok or where the nearest subway was, but I did notice motorcycles were passing us left and right. 

The term "motorcycle taxi" came to mind. I'd seen men with orange vests driving motorcycles with riders on the back that looked like they were just along for the ride. So I gave it a whirl and asked my driver about catching a motorcycle taxi. He found me one, told the guy where to take me, and I hopped on preparing for riding between the vehicles! 

I had to watch my knees when he maneuvered between the vehicles. It was all rather awkward and hysterically exciting! Ever since being stuck in traffic years ago in California and watching motorcycles pass us I've wanted to experience that. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I'd get to on a motorcycle taxi in Bangkok!

I thought he was taking me all the way to the airport but it was just the airport link on the subway. My flight left in two hours and I still had a good 40 minutes to get there! 

Getting off the subway at the airport I saw my friend Tiffany. I was super confused where I was at first, then started yelling her name. How crazy is that? Running into an SMIC coworker who lives in my building! Neither of us knew the other was going to Thailand and we both had hurdles getting to the airport which put us on the same train. We were able to sit together and talk about our time in Thailand. 

We mutually agreed Thailand was certainly a needed respite from China. 

• You could breathe! 
• People are taught it's not polite to stare. 
• No one pushed. 
• It was SUPER easy to find things! 
• We both learned we'd bought ear plugs at the same Walgreens-like store. 
• There are reasonable prices for foreign items.
• The food was overall healthier. 
• People didn't yell as much. 
• English speakers are easy to come by.
• You can read most signs.
• The language sounds smooth and even soothing rather than choppy and harsh.
• The smells were not as intense.
• Far less people smoked. Of course it could be because there are simply far less people!

We rejoiced in being able to have such a timely, and perfect, holiday! Now we're refreshed and ready to take on the ins and outs of this city and our jobs. Bring it!