The travel itch needed to be scratched -- ASAP. The time was ripe to hit the road (and skies), called out to the Universe to take me where I should be. It was answered. Where I went in 2022? Here's the list.

Imagine the feeling of hopping on a plane and gliding over the clouds again. It was like traveling for the first time. Borders opened and travel restrictions eased, armored with four shots of vaccine and being mindful of self protection, it was the green light for me. 

Bangkok is a bi-annual trip I make. After more than two years, I was on the Sawasdee Krub and Khob Khun Krub trail again. I waited for lifting of the quarantine and test requirements upon entry before I gave the first post-lockdown international trip a go. That shaved off more than a couple of hundred dollars on the travel budget. All that went to food. 

What else is new? Along the life of traveling, priorities change. Shopping (on the premise that it’s cheaper in the country of origin) and ticking off hotspots on dream destinations topped the list. Today, the palate rules! Dieting takes a back seat. 

I zipped through Thai immigration (the fastest in my visit history- 10 minutes!), which allowed me quicker access to Mango with Sticky Rice and Phad Thai. The three-year longing sated! Along the same path of the city routine, I discovered a few more dishes (which happens to be Michelin Bib Gourmand) to add to the must-eat list. So much to savor, so little time. 

It was good to touch base with Thai pals who welcomed me back to their hotels. Shangri-La Bangkok was at its usual regal stature by the Chao Phraya River while the newly revamped Le Meridien Bangkok is adding to the excitement at the center of Silom with its art-inspired vibe. 

Nostalgia and comfort play big factors in travel decisions. With direct routes from Davao to several domestic destinations reinstated, it was a good time to revisit cities that I fell in love with, like Iloilo and Cebu. 

In Iloilo, Richmonde Hotel was the ideal home. While the place offers an amazing food selection, including degustation menus, other local delights are steps away—the batchoy, kansi and grilled fare. 

The graciousness of Richmonde as a host extends to taking me and my friends for a ride (in a very good way). The City Tourism Office and Southwest Tours took us to the must-see spots in the city center and the countryside. Iloilo’s heritage churches are breathtaking—and I haven’t seen all of them yet. THat’s a good reason to return to the city again, along with another bout with the batchoy, kansi, piaya, barquillos. 

In Cebu, I didn’t have to exit Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino until i checked out. The gastronomic trail along the hotel’s Gourmet Walk was all I needed to recover from a tiring trip before arriving in the city. I dove into the seafood buffet served on a Friday at Cafe Uno, enjoyed la dolce vita at La Gondola’s Italian food, feasted on exciting bites of superb Chinese cuisine at Tin Gow and Mizu’s Japanese servings took me back to the Land of the Rising Sun. Best of all, I met all the chefs behind the hotel’s cuisine. 

If an invitation to travel pops up, I dare not say no. For the first time, I had a taste of freshly picked lanzones during the Lanzones Festival in Camiguin Island. The quick trip to the Island Born of Fire was a thrill. Skipping the island visits on this trip, Camiguin showed how its inner soul was as exciting as the famed blue waters embracing the island. 

After eight years, it was good to revisit the charming twin cities of Dapitan and Dipolog in Zamboanga del Norte. Home for the visit? Dakak, a bigger resort this time with the addition of the new golf course and driving range and a new, upscale wing with cliffside casitas. 

While I may be familiar with the popular stops in the two cities, the upgraded and new attractions give a preview of the growing tourism developments in the areas. Dipolog has turned its former city hall into a museum and library while in Dapitan, Gloria de Dapitan is now Glorious Fantasyland, a more exciting theme park, and the new must-see spot will thrill anyone who visit—Balay Hamoy, once the residence of Don Mariano Hamoy, a good friend of Jose Rizal, now a museum. It shows another facet of the hero’s life in his place of exile. 

Come 2023, I will take off to other domestic and international destinations I love — Japan, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Boracay, Baguio, and perhaps discover new ones to add to the list. Perhaps I will bump into you in one of those spots? 

Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.

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Krung Thep is calling. Again. Time to flex the wings and travel to Bangkok. The airlines are increasing their flights to the Great City of Angels. Hop on one. 

In Bangkok, there is always something new to experience, whether its cuisine, shops, spas, clubs and, yes, hotels. You’ll be nodding in agreement if the city is marked as a favorite and frequently visited destination. 

When it comes to places to stay, chances are hotel hopping is a habit. That’s not surprising at all because Bangkok hotels are exciting as the city itself, and it multiplies as fast as the progression of the city. 

However, there is a handful, if not one, that you will gravitate back to. One that you developed a connection with, where you felt at ease, felt like it’s home. Which one is yours? 

Shangri-La Bangkok may just land on your list. 

As the globe emerges into a new era of travel and tourism with safety as one key factor, Shangri-La Bangkok is ready to welcome travelers. 

“Business and leisure travelers will be prioritizing hygiene. Our ‘Shangri-La Cares,’ the hotel brand’s effort to create a trusted and nurturing environment for our guests which was initiated during the early pandemic, will be followed through,” said Joanne Chung, Shangri-La Bangkok Director of Marketing. 

Here’s why you should stay in this hotel on your next trip to Bangkok. 

Are you up for an extraordinary experience? It starts with a smile and the wai, the traditional Thai greeting of a slight bow and palms pressed in prayer-like fashion. The moment you arrive, you feel the warmth of Thai hospitality at its finest. 

Classics endure the times. Since it opened in 1986, Shangri-La has become an iconic figure by the famed waterway of Bangkok. It’s an institution in Bangkok’s hospitality industry. 

“Our warm hospitality like coming home, the friendliness and services of the staff and being the largest hotel and longest riverfront landscape,” said Chung. 

As the largest hotel having the longest riverfront landscape, the Shangri-La Bangkok is a tropical paradise making the hotel a destination in itself. Imagine being in the middle of a bustling metropolis and finding a sanctuary set in verdant oasis where chirping birds and scurrying squirrels are part of the daily sights and sounds. It’s an instant departure from the rush and crowd of the city. Flanking the piece of Eden is the magnificent River of Kings that gleams under the sun and reflects the city lights at moonrise. 

Within the oasis are impressive facilities with the view of the river. It can wow any world traveler. Score points in the tennis courts or lift weights in the well-equipped fitness center, one of Bangkok’s largest, then dive into the cooling waters of the swimming pools; balance the chi with a therapeutic session at Chi Spa; and have a sumptuous meal in any of the indoor restaurants or in a traditional teak Thai pavilion, or perhaps dine al fresco at the riverside deck, the scene is romantic at night. 

The look of the tropics is brought into the hotel’s spacious lobby through its floor to ceiling windows. Along with the lush appointments of orchids in full bloom brings warmth, a homey feel, to the grand lobby. 

The warmth carries on to the corridors and onto the luxurious rooms and suites. The balcony is a plus. Catch the sunrise, the landscape of the modern metropolis, the extent of the Chao Phraya River and the expansive patch of greenery where the hotel is nestled. The melange creates a memorable “home away from home” experience. It’s a mix of traditional Thai style and modern comfort. 

Another plus for Shangri-La Bangkok is the accessibility it provides its guests. The hotel is a gateway to explore and discover The Big Mango. Attractions like the Grand Palace or Temple of Dawn to Asiatique and ICONSIAM, and more, traditional and modern Bangkok is within easy reach with the hotel’s direct access to the BTS SkyTrain, public ferries terminal and other modes of transportation. 

“Why stay with us? Along with the warmth of home, friendly staff and the unique amenities Shangri-La Bangkok offer, we have also refreshed and introduced our loyalty program – Shangri-La Circle, which enables members to do redemption points for stay or dine. Moreover, we can get our non-members to enroll as members to enjoy our 10% discount when booking a stay at any of our Shangri-La hotels globally,” shared Chung. 

Find your home by the Chao Phraya. Find it in Shangri-La Bangkok, where Thai tradition and warmth is imprinted in its soul. 

Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.

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Travel, spas, fabulous hotels and food (desserts!) are my indulgences. Bangkok is overflowing with all these. Food? Rough it up on the streets or dress up for a fancy restaurant. Spa? Day spas or the hotel spas, your pick. Hotels? There's a wide range from one to five stars. Whatever the budget is, there are several to choose from.

Twice a year for almost two decades, a visit to Bangkok allows me to immerse myself in these indulgences. After the borders opened and travel restrictions were eased, I was back in the Big Mango. My nest? The chic Le Meridien Bangkok nestled in the most happening and colorful sphere in the capital city— Silom. 

Le Meridien Bangkok is an award-winning, art-inspired, 5-star hotel that captures the essence of its address. Indulgent? Why not, we all need it after being cooped up indoors for more than two years. Its room key unlocks a most-comfortable and well appointed room with a panoramic view of the city skyline that’s most captivating at sunset. Fabulous hotel-check. Moreover, it also accesses two of my indulgences - food and spa, within the hotel. 

Tucked in the Lifestyle Floor on Level Six of Le Meridien Bangkok is the SPA by Le Meridien. The wellness center has won the hearts (and bodies) of spa devotees that it lands on lists of best spas in Bangkok, including Trip Advisor’s. That’s no surprise. Here’s why. 

The luxurious SPA offers a multi-sensory experience that embraces fluidity, a seamless connection of perceptions and events from start to finish. 

Calmness envelopes you as you enter through a pearly pathway with walls blanketed in white river rocks from floor to ceiling. The fluid path leads to the therapy rooms with light-colored wooden doors that open up to a circular therapy area that seem to float on air. The couples room, larger in size, is appointed with its own steam room, shower area and a bathtub. 

For therapies, Le Méridien Bangkok's SPA goes beyond traditional Thai massage. Their’s fuse deep healing and relaxation treatments. Think: personalized wellness experience, this is what the expert therapists will carry out. The effect? A new, rejuvenated you emerges from a cocoon. 

Le Meridien Bangkok’s restaurant, Latest Recipe, serves an amazing array of cuisine from across the globe, but I am marking Rolling Ribs Brew Bar & BBQ as a must-eat resto. 

It’s casual dining at this joint with a semi-outdoor setting that looks over Surawong Road. 

“Rolling Ribs Brew Bar & BBQ serves Memphis barbecue, famous for its pork variations,” shared Nuttinee Payungwong, the hotel’s marketing communications manager, adding, “We use a special kind of charcoal which gives the meats a distinct aroma.” 

If you want to dig into the mains and skip the starters and salads, go ahead. The menu lists several grilled meat choices including Thai style barbecue. Which comes recommended? All. The Combo Platter, All Star Plate is the best bet to sample the variety of meat dishes including half rack of smoked pork spare rib, slow smoked pulled pork shoulder, cured pork brisket, organic BBQ chicken, smoked sausages, plus five side dishes. It’s good for four, lesser if famished (like I was). 

To get that good old backyard BBQ feels, pair the fall off the bones tender and tasty meats with the craft beers. 

Leave room for dessert. Not to be missed is the peanut butter cheesecake. It can be a delightful surprise and the treat is mildly sweetened. 

Frenzied and fun. It’s a never ending exploration when visiting Bangkok. Whether it's the tuk-tuk or back riding on a motorbike, or taking the cooler and speedy option of the BTS Skyway Train or the MRT, or risk getting stuck in the notorious traffic on a cab or a private car, ticking the entries on street food, sites and shopping, must be checked. 

No matter how many times I visit the place, I can’t cover all the bases. Why? Because the list gets longer with the passing months. The dynamic city develops fast and there’s always something new cropping up. Like the two I mentioned above. 

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Sunset. The breathtaking view of the Bangkok city skyline is captured from the corner deluxe room’s picture window. It frames sky-high modern buildings towering over gilded temples of old - a dynamic scene of the past and present coexisting as one. As twilight marks the end of a work day for the corporate world, the streets below turn on the multicolor neon lights to flood the district with excitement.

Exciting? Take it notches higher and stay in an award-winning, art-inspired, 5-star hotel that captures the essence of one of the most happening area, if not the most colorful, sphere in the heart of capital city - the Le Meridien Bangkok along Surawong Road, a key central business district artery alongside Silom and Sathorn. 

After undergoing a facelift recently, the refreshed Le Meridien Bangkok fuses playful sophistication and modern design with warm Thai hospitality. These are evident upon arrival. I-Jud, the giant white dog, extends a playful welcome to every arriving guest at the concourse. The smokey, art-tinted glass walls behind, although allowing a hazy impression of the interior, tickles the guests’ interest and entices them to explore what’s beyond. 

The fun reception extends indoors at the lobby and the Latitude Bar with more parading brightly colored I-Juds among other curated original artworks. From the inside, the same expansive glass panes that created intrigue to arriving guests present the lively Bangkok street life. While enjoying the view on this side of the window, relax and sip on an invigorating Illy espresso or latte while nibbling on a European pastry at Latitude 13° coffee shop. 

Sawasdee kah. A warm welcome, a speedy check in and I was in my “refreshed + recreated” room facing West on the high floors in no time. A plush sanctuary indeed, with an impressive view to match. A dynamic city as the artwork that’s captivating at day, at sunset and at night. 

There is much to discover and indulge in within the hotel, like the Lifestyle Floor. The outdoor pool overlooking the iconic Mahanakhon building is the perfect spot to cool down and work on a tan, or enjoy cocktails and bar chow on the deck at Plunge Bar while listening to modern tunes that can put you in the right mood. If indoor exercising is your thing then the Technogym-equipped fitness center is your spot. The floor-to-ceiling widescreen window panels connect you to the outdoors. Then there’s the world-class SPA, where seasoned therapists execute holistic treatments aimed at personalized wellness experience. 

What’s your food craving? Latest Recipe embraces global cuisines from French Provençal and Mediterranean to Asian, and one might just pick your palate. The restaurant is known for its lavish entrées, à la carte delicacies and its Sunday brunch menu. Rolling Ribs is all about authentic BBQ in a semi-outdoor setting. The casual restaurant serves fall-off-the-bone tender and juicy meats smoked to perfection. It pairs perfectly with the resto’s craft beers. Cheers! 

While your key grants your access to a uniquely Le Meridien Bangkok Chic, Culture + Discovery lifestyle, it also unlocks a world of experience beyond the hotel. 

“Attractive, fashionable, stylish. Our neighborhood is certainly colorful. The vibrant nightlife appeals across genders. Le Meridien Bangkok is steps from the vibrant Patpong Night Market, celebrated nightlife and Samyan Mitrtown,” shared Nuttinee Payungwong, Le Meridien Bangkok’s Marketing Communications Executive, adding that within the neighborhood are the Jim Thompson House, art galleries and Little Tokyo, the Wat Hua Lamphong, a Buddhist Royal Temple, and the Lumpini Park, referred to as Bangkok’s Central Park— all in walking distance. 

“Exploring farther, our guests can access a myriad of must-see spots in the city via the nearby Sala Daeng BTS and Sam Yan MRT stations,” shared Nuttinee, pointing out one of the conveniences of staying at Le Meridien Bangkok. 

After a long day in Silom and around the city, I rushed back to my plush sanctuary to catch the sun set over Bangkok's skyscrapers and gilded temples. After two long years of home confinement, you and I truly deserve to savor the good life. Why not do it at Le Méridien Bangkok? 

Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.

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Bangkok? Again? But why? 

The food! 

After the two-year no-international-travel pandemic spell, celebrate! You may just have had enough of home cooking and food deliveries after a long period indoors. Aren't you yearning to dine outdoors, or better yet, dine in another country? My choice? Bangkok. It's just the best place to be.

Undoubtedly, Bangkok is a food haven, a melting pot of international flavors. Name it, they have it. You’ll probably say it’s HK or SG, but how far does your moolah go in these cities? In the Big Mango, it’s a long way. BKK has street food to fine dining, and the Michelin stars are showered all over shining brightly on recommended hole-in-the-wall eateries to silverware-laden tables by starred chefs offering savories and sugary fares from below 100Baht to several thousands. In this place, eating is an adventure. There’s something to discover each day. 

The hotels and malls are the most convenient places to go to if you want choices. In hotels, a foodie can hop from one cuisine to another in a single stop. It’s a culinary trip from Thailand to Italy, from India to Japan, and elsewhere. The food trip’s “fare” varies per establishment with the established ones a bit costly, but it’s worth every baht. You might chance upon the foie gras on scallops on the buffet of Next2 Cafe at Shangri-La Bangkok or the Phad Thai omelette, a breakfast specialty at Latest Recipe of Le Meridien Bangkok. The gelatos are also divine in these places. 

Meanwhile at the food courts and specialty restaurants in the mall giants like Siam Paragon, Central World, Icon Siam, Em Quartier and others, there is a variety of cuisine offerings with cost that’s easy on the pocket. All year round, these malls feature cuisines in pop-up kitchens both indoors and outdoors, the latter serving as an alternative to the street food fare. 

And street food is one of the ingredients of Thailand’s popularity. Day in and out the entrepreneurial spirit of the locals is alive. Carts are pushed to positions, each serving a particular dish—from fruits to savories, steamed to fried. It’s a 24/7 sight across the city. 

Eateries may not be open around-the-clock but during peak hours, each gets its share of diners. Where the locals form a long queue, it means the food is good. That's the best advertising for the place. It won’t take long until Michelin takes notice, visits, samples and gives its stamp of approval— the Michelin Bib Gourmand, a recognition awarded to restaurants that offer stellar food at an affordable price. There are 64 marked across Bangkok, which includes both the street-side joints and fancier ones. 

And when you fancy the “fancy” on which the Michelin Stars shine upon, Bangkok has no shortage of it. There are 24 with 1 Star and six with 2 Stars, including Le Normandie, Suhring Mezzaluna, with Jay Fai seemingly the most popular with the general public. To reach for them would mean to reach deeper into the pocket. But that depends on one’s disposable income, or for gourmands, money is not an object. 

Jai Fai may be the most affordable on the starred list, however, there are superstar chefs kind enough to have their gastronomic delights more accessible for many foodies. German twins Thomas & Mathias Suhring with Indian Gaggan Anand opened CDGre, a lifestyle coffee shop and restaurant in Siam Paragon. Who’s following next? Let’s wait and see. 

Food, like art, is subjective. In Bangkok, there’s a multitude of offerings that will catch one’s fancy. If you ask me, a short food trip to Bangkok never works. Stay longer, or keep returning, and dive into the food scene! 

Now is the best time to head to Bangkok. The city does not have the usual crowd of visitors— yet, though tourists are starting to arrive. What is normally a snaking line at the immigrations is now a handful of visitors per officer. You zip by for the entry stamp. That’s more time to dive into the food spread that awaits you in the city center. 

Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.

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