SOUTHEAST ASIA
Thailand
Where the journey began — the country I carry with me everywhere.
I was born in Bangkok, so Thailand is less a destination for me than a homecoming. When we travel here as a family, I try to show my son the country the way I knew it as a child: the morning markets, the smell of the canals after rain, the particular kindness of strangers.
We move slowly. A few days in the city, a few days near the water, and a great deal of eating in between. This is the one place where I let the itinerary go soft and simply follow the day.
Bangkok
We always begin in Bangkok, partly for family and partly because the city rewards anyone willing to look past its first impression. We take the river ferry instead of taxis whenever we can — it is cheaper, cooler, and the best seat in the city. Early mornings belong to the temples, before the heat and the crowds arrive together.
Chiang Mai & the north
The north feels like a different country — gentler, greener, wrapped in mountains. We spent our days wandering the old city walls and our evenings at the night market, and we left promising ourselves we would come back for longer.
Food
It is impossible to be brief about the food. Eat where the line is longest and the menu is shortest. Some of the finest meals of our lives have come from a single cart with one dish and one cook who has made it ten thousand times.
Tips & practical notes
- The river ferries and the Skytrain will take you almost anywhere — skip the traffic.
- Carry small bills for markets and street stalls.
- Dress modestly at temples; bring a light scarf for covered shoulders.
- The hot season is genuinely hot — plan indoor hours around midday.
