Thailand
When one hears the name of this country, instinctively two self-contradicting notions come to mind: islands and Bangkok: serenity and franticness .
Assaf and I went to Thailand in the beginning of October for a series of business meetings.
We were in Thailand two years ago on a vacation, but this time round it was different - it made us look at Bangkok from a completely different perspective. We visited some business centers and buildings that tourist are not usually aware of. In other words, we had a chance to get the feel of Bangkok from within.
Apparently it is more important to tell the taxi driver (too rainy and humid for Tuk Tuk, thank you very much…) the name of the building in which an appointment is set than an actual address.
You never know how long and how heavy the traffic will be so it is advisable to stop at one of the many local booths with yummy food on the way. The only problem is that you don't have a place to sit. So, wake up legs, you're going to have a looong day … J
We also had a chance to visit offices of many exciting companies, meet with super-nice people and professional ties were deepened.
Bangkok was wonderful – full of wonders: the chaotic yet harmonious mixture of old and new, traditional and contemporary, Tuk Tuk and sky train, luxurious and simple, the East and the West and zillions of electrical cables all over.
From the hectic Bangkok we went to the serenity of Ko Samet, which is just 200 km from Bangkok.
Ko Samet is merely 6 km long and 3 km wide and lined up with powder-sand beaches.
At Sai Kaew, which means “the beach of glass sand", you may see a series of statues which are all characters from the famous Thai poem from the 1800s that features Ko Samet in the storyline.
Among them there's a beautiful statue of a mermaid with her baby. This statue is about the beauty of love. The creator, Haritorn Akarapat was inspired by the love of Nang Nguek and Sutsakorn, who appear in a poem by Phara AMphai Mani, Thailand's national poet.
Ko Samet is literally a small piece of paradise. Excellent food, friendly locals and even the rain couldn't spoil our stay.
If you go there be sure not to miss the Best Banana Loti stand. There's a sweet 17 year-old Myanmar guy who makes the best Banana Loti ever!
