Imma just kick this off with the unmitigated, unadulterated heat that comes from this land! My trip to Bangkok was in April 2019 and I found out once I arrived that April is the hottest month in Thailand. What the HELL (literally)?? It was Banging hot (maybe that's where the word Bangkok originated from :-))
It's so hot that they have dedicated a "holiday" called water week, meaning that everyone pours, squirts, dumps or shoots water on passersby for a full week. Of course, all this was unbeknownst to me! Within 10 minutes of leaving my hotel, I was soaked. They take no mercy on anyone. Game on! The next day, we armed ourselves with super soakers and hit the streets. I was shooting any and everyone that moved, even those in cars as they drove by. It was such a welcomed surprise (the ongoing water fight, not the heat) and such a fun way to beat the heat and wind down. I do not think the U.S. is ready for anything like that because we're such an uptight, racist country!
After trying to re-group from all the water games, we took the city (or should I say the city took us)! We ate our way thru the city savoring those authentic Thai flavors that I love so much. Needless to say, I over-ate each day. From the fresh seafood, the delectable ramen bowls, the crispy egg rolls, and the homespun coconut ice cream served in handmade wooden bowls, I couldn't contain myself. I enjoy tasting foods that are true to the place I'm visiting; however, I COULD NOT get on board with their love of guinea pigs. Not as a pet, but as a delicacy! That means, to eat some is considered a treat (well, not for me). I can't believe it, but I actually put a small piece in my mouth (when in Rome...) but just could not allow the swallow. Yes, that's a guinea pig on a stick I'm holding...yikes!
Next up, the Thai massages! Yes, they are all of what you've heard and then some. I first tested the waters by getting a simple foot massage lounging by the pool while at Kachanaburi Resort. The resort itslef is a serene and secluded gem that is only reachable by boat via River Kwai. Walking those grounds felt hallowed and sacred, and I highly recommend a visit. Now back to that foot massage...there was nothing simple about it. After I almost called on Jesus and went to heaven just from that experience, I could hardly wait to schedule my full-body massage. Once back in Bangkok, I had the privilege of having a masseuse come to my hotel room (they make house calls, so I indulged) to give me a full body massage. . It was so magical and miraculous (and inexpensive), that I felt somewhat guilty, like I had just stolen something precious. And then I realized I had, I had stolen my peace and my tense-free body back :-) FYI, they didn't use not one hot stone and I felt more refreshed, relaxed and restored than I ever have. It's all in the technique!
Stay tuned for next week's story-telling adventure...
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