Thailand: A Gateway
My first trip to Thailand, then onto other parts of Southeast Asia, was happening before my eyes. As I sat in the aisle seat of Row 17, I couldn’t believe the jumbo United Airlines plane I was on would head through the night over the North Pole! In my head, I had wondered what the flight path would be before take-off from Chicago. Tokyo was the connection to Bangkok. I was not yet a seasoned traveler. So my expectations were high, excitable, and even unknown.
What was in store for me once I landed in Thailand? After leaving the plane with hundreds of other passengers, I stood for so long in the customs line to get my passport stamped. I retrieved my luggage and wandered through the enormous and colorful terminal. My adventure had started.
I kept a lookout for the exits as I wandered through this crowded wonderland of an airport. My excitement was high even though I was exhausted from an almost 20-hour flight. I finally saw a driver holding up a sign with my name. We walked through double-glass doors to the attached parking lot. I experienced Nirvana when that hot, humid, and densely sweet tropical air hit my face with full force, then and through my future trips to Southeast Asia.
I had arrived in Bangkok, a city of historical customs and culture. My anticipation of the sights, sounds, foods, local people, and experiences was almost overwhelming.
The car wound its way through more congested traffic than I had seen since driving Manhattan’s busy streets. But, Bangkok alone is home to over 14 million people! We drove past vendors with open stalls and goods I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. I loved the majestic dragons’ colors, the golds of so many Buddha figures, and the height of surrounding centuries-old temples with their wild architectural and artistic details.
Colorful glazed ceramic dragons adorned in gold rest atop many of the city’s smaller temples.
Golden larger than life Buddhas adorn this passage hallway used for prayer, meditation and admiration.
Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River flows with boats trimmed in freshly strung flowers on both bow and stern beckoning tourists and locals alike.
Centuries old hand-made mosaic tiles were applied to the temple’s rooftops adding incredible definition. The colors ring out in overcast and sunny days alike.
My excursions list included a visit to the floating markets, admiring the larger than life Buddhas, strolling through the numerous monastery Wats, a cruise on the Chao Phraya River. Browsing fabulous art galleries, seeing the Grand Palace, and touring the Jim Thompson House - revivalist of Thai silk, would round out my endless hours of sight-seeing.
Colorful goods are a tourist delight at Saduak Floating Market.
Thailand is known for its woven jewel tone silks.
I was anxious to arrive at my hotel to shower, change, and hit the streets. I knew I would fully immerse myself in buzzing Bangkok.
Thailand has become a gateway I would repeatedly use, traveling on to many other countries in Southeast Asia. This mesmerizing part of the world is by far one of my favorites!
See additional photographs of my travels to Asia here.
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