Thailand

June 2023, twelve days in Thailand with Patrick Sabino. “Here we go again” at Malpensa, fifteen hours of travel, and on the first evening we were in Phuket’s old town, under the lanterns.

Phi Phi

At Phi Phi we took a kayak to Monkey Beach. Monkeys: none. On the other hand, Patrick in a kayak was a disaster, and in the end we both went in the water, T-shirts and all.

The next day the viewpoint over the bays, then a longtail boat trip: Pileh Lagoon, Phi Phi Leh with water a colour that looks edited and isn’t, snorkelling among the fish, and Maya Bay. 32 degrees, feeling like 40. Our boat had broken planks in the hull and was taking on water. All fine, though.

Tigers and elephants

Back in Phuket we went to the Tiger Park: a cub being bottle-fed, and me lying down hugging a sleeping tiger. I’d do it again. The elephants, on the other hand, I’m not sure: it’s something to do once, but they looked really sad. And extremely slow. Then the white Big Buddha among the palms and, at last, a swim.

Bangkok and around

In Bangkok, a day of temples: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho with a reclining Buddha so big it wouldn’t fit in the photo, Wat Arun with its ridiculously steep steps, the Golden Mount. Dinner on Khao San Road was a tarantula and fried insects on a stick. Oh well.

At Ayutthaya, the red-brick ruins and the Buddha head swallowed by the roots of a tree; in the evening, Bangkok from the 78th floor. The last day was all about markets: the floating market at Damnoen Saduak, where they grill your snack right there in the boat, and the Maeklong Railway Market, where the train brushes past the stalls and everyone moves out of the way at the last moment.

Practical notes

• If you take a kayak at Phi Phi, keep your phone and documents safe: we ended up in the water.
• Tigers, yes. Elephants, think about it.
• At the Maeklong Railway Market, check the train times before you go: without the train it’s just another market.