Love from Thailand

Dear Simoon,

You won't believe what just happened to me. I'm sitting comfortably on the balcony of my Thai paradise by the Mekong River when suddenly a tropical bird flies in. All the way from Gambia with sweat on its beak to deliver your letter to me as quickly as possible. A PEN PAL! That stuff goes all the way back, I love it.

By the way, what a story about your flight. Regarding that crying baby, I have here the perfect solution for you right away. You do have to go to India, but you haven't been there yet, right? Let's go for it. But don't think it all went smoothly here, because when I wanted to check in my beast of a suitcase automatically at Schiphol, the machine almost spat it out. Something about an error and data on a passport that wasn't entered correctly in the system. And a ‘go to a service desk’ where there was an intense line. And a plane that was supposed to leave in not too long, so we had that sweat issue in common. But after panicking for half an hour on the phone in line and two conversations with the flight attendants in the blue outfits, my life on wheels was finally allowed to go.

Anyway, once on board with my buddies from KLM, everything went smoothly. That ten-hour flight? Yeah, it was long, but watch two movies and type some pieces on your laptop and it's quite doable. The food? No soggy sandwiches here, but fruit salads, pasta, and cold cola. Nothing to complain about. A bit less good is that I literally didn't sleep a minute during the night flight, which is why I landed at Bangkok airport in the morning like a wreck. And then the time goes forward six hours. That city, Simoon, it's unreal. People are everywhere. They're like ants. Some even wear face masks. Your hair that you always care so much about? Forget about it. It's a frizzy mess for the next eight days, and my bangs need to be tamed fiercely every morning to avoid looking like a dried-out guinea pig.

‘And by the way, regarding those Thai massages, do mention that they should give you the ‘soft’ version, otherwise
they'll pull you apart.’

My first experience in Bangkok started at the Oasis Spa. A super fancy place where we - hold on - got a TWO-HOUR massage to recover from the flight. I fell half asleep about six times and I think I left some DNA drool on the massage table, but really, I'm okay. And by the way, regarding those Thai massages, do mention that they should give you the ‘soft’ version, otherwise they'll pull you apart. But really. That Gambian wrestling is nothing compared to this.

Now we come to your favorite part. Because as you know, traveling makes you hungry, and that's why we immediately rolled into our first culinary highlight at the traditional Thai restaurant: At-Ta-Rote (believe me, foodie, just for the ambiance, you'll want to book a plane ticket right away). The service here is so adorably sweet that it almost makes you uncomfortable. Everyone bows to you and gives you a humble smile with their head down. It's very normal and polite here, so if you ever find yourself here, bow back nicely, it's appreciated. You leave your shoes outside (read our suggestions here)? I'm meanwhile scrolling through the first of the Monate like an addict through Elkes Nieuwsflix, but nothing, zip, nada. Even Netflix is acting suspicious... Quiet then. I want a sequel to my favorite and I want it now. But with a chronic shortage and the absence of rattling conversations, but why by the way). You eat from an exotic flower petal with ginger and lime, and really, I've felt all kinds of flavor explosions in my mouth. Even accidentally a hot pepper that almost made me cry. And by the way, that coconut you mentioned; well, they have it here, you know. As big as your head with a straw in it. Hoppa. A better drink one could not wish for. Oh, those lychee cocktails are also absolutely amazing here. I tasted them last night in a rooftop bar in Bangkok (another reason to come this way). Are you starting to come around?

‘The most beautiful view I've ever seen: the Mekong River.’

Furthermore, today we flew from Bangkok on a domestic flight of about an hour to Loei, the untouched north of Thailand. I think I've never seen so many rice fields and beautiful green spots in my life, and there isn't a SINGLE TOURIST to be found. Not one. It's amazing. I've just checked into ‘The Old Chaing Khan Boutique Hotel’, where they have eight super traditional and adorable rooms. Everything is made of wood, again the shoes stay at the front door, and I have the most beautiful view I've ever seen: the Mekong River. Where the sun is currently setting, and I still need to offer that tropical bird of yours a drink before flying, so it's time to put that laptop aside.

Stay strong in the jungle, and if it doesn't work out to take a monkey with you, I also have two salamanders on offer. HOLY SHIT. I just saw them suddenly dart over the wall of my hotel room. And here's the craziest part: they communicate with each other by making sounds that resemble dolphin chatter. I'm not kidding. It's going to be an exciting night. If I can't write back after this, I've been attacked in the night by two fierce salamanders with trioplanes.. But, I did spot the most beautiful sunset ever before that. So there's that.

P.S.: I'm chilling with your birdie on the balcony for a bit longer, and then I'll send her back to Gambia after a night of rest. Can you make sure to catch a nice guy in the meantime? I'm looking forward to your stories.

P.P.S.: that pad thai of yours is absolutely the shit. I've never found vegetables so delicious.

Big kiss from Loei!

Look