Bonding in Bangkok

My recent trip to Bangkok was a very memorable one, especially since I was with my good friend, Diana Zubiri. We have the same manager.

Over the years we’ve known each other, Diana and I never had the chance to spend a vacation together.

This was our first time to travel together and her first time to attend the fifth Bangkok International Film Festival.

There are a lot of little things she and I would like to do in the Philippines, like walking on the streets, taking transportation without worrying about parking, running across the street, trying to make it to the last second of the go signal and just doing normal things without anyone paying attention to us.

It does get a bit uncomfortable doing things while other people are taking notice or even making comments.

Well, I still push my luck in my hometown, Davao. The last time I was there, my friend and I took a five-minute ride on the jeepney then got on bike ride going to my cousin’s house.

It was quite fun and I certainly am looking forward to doing more of that. Sometimes, the simplest things in life bring true happiness.

It’s not the glamor or amount of money spent on something that brings satisfaction.

Feeling the fresh air on my face instead of being inside an air-conditioned car was great.

Diana and I enjoyed the tuk-tuk ride most. This is very similar to our traditional “tricycle” except that it has a slightly different shape.

Most of the cabs in Bangkok are painted pink, which I think is very cute.

We must have said, “Sarap ‘no?” to each other a million times while we were on that ride. Even though the shopping bags hurt our backs a little, our days were well spent.

Walking on the streets of Bangkok and eating street food made our trip even more exciting and adventurous.

Of course, how can I forget our dinner cruise plus the good food, the very calming and invigorating effect of the legendary Chaopraya River? Diana and I had a blast after eating dinner while cruising along the clean river of Bangkok.

We sang and danced with the two Filipina performers aboard the ship. We really had a fun-tastic time!

The Thais are very much like Filipinos. They’re very friendly, hospitable and accommodating. We felt warmth and kindness every time a Thai greeted us in his language.

Somehow, it felt like home. Even though I couldn’t understand a word they were saying, we still found away to communicate and understand each other.

The Bangkok International Film Festival (BIFF) opened us up to a whole new different way of looking at Thailand.

The way they organized it was very professionaland extra glamorous for their guests. Their minister of tourism and sports, Dr. Suvit Yodmani, has served his country well in his field.

The BIFF will absolutely draw more attention from different parts of the world in terms of showcasing the Thais’ talent in the said festival and showing the world the different varieties of filmmaking. Even though I didn’t personally take part in any of the three Filipino films in the festival, I still am very proud to say we were there to represent the Philippines.

I couldn’t thank the festival organizers enough for having us again, this time with Diana, and for treating us so well.

Thank you so much to the staff of Tourism Authority of Thailand, most especially to TAT Chief Officer Khun Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya and Khun Kittipong Prapattong.

Five days seemed so short to have learned so many things about Thailand. I have not been to their beaches yet, but I certainly am looking forward to heading that way pretty soon. I am actually beginning to miss it there now.

Bangkok is not just all about shopping, it’s about the people who make you feel welcome.

Have a wonderful day!

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