Last week has been a whirlwind of many tasks to accomplish as my eldest daughter and I embark on a new adventure—planning our first-ever DIY trip to Bangkok. With Alycia’s semester break soon coming to an end, we seized the opportunity to have a short holiday in Bangkok, taking on the challenge of organizing every detail ourselves.
As someone who has frequented Thailand numerous times in the past, I thought planning this trip would be a breeze. However, diving into the nitty-gritty of trip planning proved to be more complex than I anticipated.
From scouring the internet for the best airfares with convenient departure and arrival times to securing a nice hotel (with good Google reviews) at tourist hotspots, there was no shortage of tasks to tackle in the span of less than ten days. Gone were the days of relying on travel agents and my parents to handle the logistics—this time, it was up to us to navigate the intricacies of travel planning.
As of today, I have paid for the air tickets and booked the hotel (Novotel Platinum Bangkok).
In addition to booking flights and accommodation, there were several other essentials to take care of before our departure. Making trips to the banks to activate overseas usage for credit and debit cards, online purchasing a SIM card for Thailand  use, online purchase of BKK transport cards, exchanging currency and booking entrance tickets (via Klook) to the places that we are planning to visit in Thailand were just a few items on our lengthy to-do list. As the countdown to our departure date dwindled, the pressure was on me to ensure that everything was in place for a smooth and seamless journey.Â
Alycia has been traveling pretty regularly lately and she’s no stranger to booking tickets and hotel online. She’s also adept at using Apple Maps to bring me around.
However, amidst the excitement of planning our trip, a new challenge emerged—a recent requirement stipulated by the Thai Embassy mandating travelers to carry a minimum of 15,000 Thai Baht (around RM2k) per person in cash upon entry into Thailand as proof of financial ability. This unexpected hurdle added an extra layer of complexity to our preparations, prompting concerns about compliance and logistics. I have since checked with friends who had just returned from Bangkok and all of them told me that they were not checked by the Immigration staff in Bangkok on the amount of cash that they brought in, which was less than the stipulated amount. It seems that the Immigration staff would conduct random checks on travelers.
As departure day draws near, my thoughts turn to my youngest daughter, Cass, who will be home alone when she returns from school in the afternoon. If hubby is busy with work, Cass will have to settle lunch on her own. Cass will also have to learn how to operate the washing machine and do other house chores during my absence. Being the youngest and not one who would willingly do house chores, I hope that she will learn to shoulder responsibilities during my absence.
On top of all these, my other big worry is Haru. Sherilyn is tasked to feed Haru breakfast and Cass has to take care of the dinner. Sherilyn will have to wake up earlier in the morning to feed Haru before rushing off to college. And both of them will have to take turns cleaning the litter box. I hope that these two busy girls will remember to feed Haru and take good care of their fur sister. I am surely going to send them lots of reminders when I am in Bangkok 😜
Despite the uncertainties and challenges that lie ahead, I’m filled with a sense of anticipation and optimism for the journey ahead.
With faith, determination, and a spirit of adventure, I have no qualms that Alycia and I will navigate Bangkok with ease and return home with hearts full of cherished memories. Here’s to new beginnings, unexpected challenges, and the joy of discovery that awaits us in the Land of Smiles. Wish us luck!
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