A Foodcation and destination wedding in 🇹🇭 Thailand!

Bustling cities of Thailand.

A Destination wedding and food journey – A mom’s getaway

It all started with prepping for the trip. Considering traveling to Bangkok, All the way from New york wasn’t a cake walk. It’s a total 24 hour journey by flight and not so ideal if you are traveling with children. Luckily I was not. 

In the month of May 2019, when the heat is at its rapid high, I got an opportunity to travel solo to Thailand! 2 reasons: Attending a destination wedding, and spending some quality time with my extended family. It ultimately became an all ladies food journey to Thailand, if rightly put. I have lots of memories built up in this short trip.

Korean Airline (operated by Delta) was a comfortable, clean flight flying Airbus 380 with more than ample leg space for an economy cabin. I was really happy with the quality of service, food and drinks overall. However the choice of in-flight entertainment lacked variety. That was a blessing in disguise, as I was planning on beating the jet lag anyway.

I had a layover in Seoul, South Korea for atleast 5 hours. The Incheon International Airport has a specific area which they call the “Transfer Lounge”, which was free of cost for transferring passengers and ideal place to hangout for layovers which are atleast 3+ hours. It was very impressively built and I believe JFK must have one too.

They had showers with inbuilt toilets, a nap room with single bedchairs, a massage area, an advanced digital gym for who would like some new workout, internet area, and a small coffee and snack shop. Relaxed enough, took a shower and boarded the flight on time.  

(I recommend carrying A kindle to pass time during travel, for book readers who want to carry light but still plenty to read)

After 5 hours of flight time, I arrived Suvarnabhoomi International airport. Everything was smooth with luggage and exit process (A many thanks to my US Passport). I witnessed a long wait for other passengers who needed an e-visa or visa on arrival at the airport. That wait could be nightmarish for even business class passengers. After a traffic-less 1.5 hours pursuit on road, I reached Hotel Pullman G in Pattaya Central. 

Weather in Pattaya was hot and humid. The humidity was a turn off, but I am looking forward for some real good wedding fu, food and family time. After a late pool party in the scorching Pattaya heat (cant wait to get inside the air conditioned hotel lobby) It was time to relax a bit and prepare for the evening festivities. It was the sangeet night well delivered. A merry crowd on stage performing on the latest numbers, really lit the evening. I had to do some proxy compering which was a last moment task alloted to me and a team of relatives. It was a decent show I believe and memorable for the bride and groom. Lots of dancing and good music played all night.

I woke up much earlier to feel the quiet of an early morning sunrise visible from the balcony of the beach view room. Nothing better than complimenting this view with a cup of ginger masala tea made in the room (courtesy : my father-in-laws homemade tea kit, a mini hot pot and spices).  Apparently the word and aroma of the special tea spread like wildfire and tea was made and served a multiples time later in the day.

Bangkok being in close proximity to East of India, Indian food was majorly sourced from Calcutta. All the guests were enjoying the variety of flavors in food during the breakfast, lunch and dinner. Few delicacies like The south indian menu in breakfast, Mutter bedmi and aaloo, Burmese khao suey, flat bread pizza, and of course original thai boat soups, salads and pad thai were everyones favorite. I like it with some extra spice. Nothing can beat the sweetness of the local thai fruits- papaya, pineapple, passion fruit, logan, rambutan and mangoosteen. I knew it was going to be a mouthwatering journey…Still waiting to have the coconut water though.

Beautiful and picturesque beach wedding, complimented by a warm (not too hot) weather with everyone donning white and gold color hues was timely done and the pheras were not too long. It was a happy moment for all. We caught up with whatever time we had with each other, before most of us depart to different cities in Thailand for an extended vacation . Pattaya conveniently connects to many other tourist locations like Chiang mai, Koh samui, Phuket and of course Bangkok.

Next morning we checked in to our comfortable suites in our centrally located hotel in Bangkok. The boutique hotel managed by the Sofitel group – VIE Hotel – was located minutes away from popular siam central and paragon mall, local food and shopping streets and to sky train connecting the key areas of the city.

Tip for traveling locally – “when in doubt take the tuktuk”

We tried some local delicacies on our break from shopping in malls. Appetizing pineapple fried rice served beautifully was the highlight. We tried stir fry assorted mushrooms, veggies and pad thai as well. Most important part of any meal experience is how it ends. And what dessert will give it a finishin end. The restaurant in the mall served us a free choice of dessert and it was quite fancy 5 tier ice cream condiments with a coconut ice cream.

Tonight we slept early to face an early day tomorrow. This is what wewere waiting for –  A vegetarian Thai food cooking class. The kitchen and the training school went with the name – “MAI KAIDEE” . Apperently they mentioned they have a restaurant in new york with the same name which they run. Cant wait to try that when back home.

While in Bangkok must try street food quirky street shopping as well. Our favorite to go being variety of fruits. Do not miss out on unseen and unheard of fruit varieties. Try it all! City of shopping nightlife and restaurants led us to some advance planning by my sister-in law Puja on getting reservation to quintessential michellan star chef GAGGAN SHARMA at his restaurant Gaggan. We managed to get a reservation 4 months before the trip after trying a lot. This was his final year to his pop up restaurant serving 25 course reimagined dishes in a 3-hour long experience of indulgence. Every bite was special , unique and blends of variety flavors and non-stereotypical combinations. Being a music lover his style of serving was designed with music and rhythm in mind. Big Cheers to Gaggan!

It was worth taking the next day late night flight. I got to wake up late, pack it through and had enough time to explore the humungous Mall culture in Bangkok central area. Massage lovers can get their last street massage before boarding a long haul flight, I opted for a foot massage. 

Getting back to kids and routine hadn’t been such a sweet wait but felt like a short one. The desperation to land home took me over when I reached my layover in Korea. Cant wait to be back home and Miss Bangkok dearly . I will be back!

NEXT STOP ……TENERIFE , CANARY ISLANDS – SPAIN!