In celebration of ten years of friendship, two of my best college buddies and I headed to our first ever out-of-Manila-adventure. An explosion of colors, scents and flavors greeted us as almost as soon we stepped foot at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Widely known as a premiere shopping destination in Asia, the Thai capital is among the popular tourist destinations this side of the world. However, little did I know that beyond the sales and bargains in every street corner is a treasure trove of history and architecture. I missed the opportunity to discover these secrets on my first trip there, which was a business trip, so I vowed to return to discover more of the amazing city.

Known as the Land of Smiles, Bangkok boasts of its warm hospitality and it’s amazing city and seascapes. With so much to see and just as much to taste, taking in the wonderful sights and sampling the all the sumptuous food Bangkok has to offer can take weeks to discover. However, not everyone has that luxury so to make the most of a typical four day/three night weekend in the city, planning ahead is key. That is something I definitely did before heading off and saying sawasdee to the Land of Smiles.

One of the first things to do upon arriving in the city is to go on a dinner cruise on the legendary Chao Phraya River. There is a wide array of liners to choose from, but for a truly authentic Thai experience, book a sunset dinner cruise on the Loy Nava’s Tahsaneeya Nava. Booking online is highly encouraged. In fact, by simply doing so, you automatically receive a twenty percent discount. Although the fee of 1200 Baht (Php 1652.47) may be a little more than what others may charge, the antique teak wood barge gives you your money’s worth with excellent menu choices, traditional Thai entertainment, and a glimpse of Bangkok’s famous landmarks, The Grand Palace and Wat Arun, The Temple of Dawn.

Seeing the temples from afar is not enough, however! So don’t forget to squeeze in a city tour in your itinerary. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and expect to walk a lot during the tour. Some temples and attractions have dress codes that must be followed, such as no sleeveless shirts for women, so bring along a bolero or shawl just in case. Must-see landmarks include the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, the Grand Palace, and the Bangkok Floating Market.

Walking around the city will surely work up an appetite in anyone. What a perfect excuse to indulge in all the yummy goodness of Thai cuisine. Filling up a hungry belly in the city won’t cost too much! For about 100 baht, you can have more than your fill. Of course, one of the first things to try is Tom Yum Goong. After all, what would a trip to Bangkok be without a taste of their national dish, right? From the smallest soi (street) to the largest restaurants, this dish is sure to be on the menu. This hot and sour soup made with shrimps, mushrooms and other seafood is a fusion of lime, cilantro, ginger and lemon grass flavors that give that distinct Thai taste. Some versions of this soup can include noodles, which makes for a more filling and satisfying meal. Take note: like most Thai dishes, it is spicy hot! Most restaurants, however, give tourists the option of choosing a milder version of their popular dishes.

For the not-so-faint hearted, sampling some of the local delicacies and street food can be an exciting and gastronomical adventure! I personally was not brave enough to try the unusual delicacies offered in the street stalls, such as fried grasshoppers and scorpions. I did, however, feast on the freshest of fruits. Much like Filipino street food and delicacies, enjoying the unique flavors of Bangkok can be an acquired taste.

Travelling to Bangkok is best done on a weekend for one main reason: the Chatuchak Weekend Market. Imagine a bigger and somewhat cleaner Divisoria…shopping to your heart’s content!!! This is the largest weekend market in the world. You can buy almost anything from shoes, bags, clothes, even animals and plants in this vast flea market! The downside, however, is that with humid Thai weather, it can be a tiresome and physically demanding experience. For a more comfortable shopping adventure, impressive malls such as MBK and Central World are at your disposal. From luxurious silks to fine jewels, to affordable trendy clothing and even cool techie gadgets, Bangkok is truly a Shopaholic’s paradise!

Much can also be said about the Bangkok nightlife. From risqué bars and shows to high-class lounges in hotels, the Land of Smiles surely has something to offer all its visitors. For the best view of the city lights, have a nightcap at the Millennium Hilton Hotel’s 360 Lounge where you can sip a lemon grass martini while enjoying jazz music overlooking the Chao Phraya river and the rest of the city. With its unique floor to ceiling windows that goes full circle, you really get to see all there is to see up there! It is the perfect way to top of an exciting day in Thailand.

With all the beauty and wonder Bangkok has to offer, a long weekend is not enough! Before bidding farewell, be sure to take home a few bags of their spicy tamarind preserves and a couple of tom yum bouillon cubes for a taste of Bangkok, even back in Manila.