My Hopes for 1st Time in Thailand

I hope to see this beautiful view of temple Wat Arun in Bangkok myself this year.

This December I’m traveling to Thailand for the first time. I’m sure that it’s going to be a journey full of excitement, wonder, discovery and cultural involvement. This journey still is a couple of months in the future, but just by thinking about it I can already feel the tickle in my feet and joy in my heart.
There’s a first time for everything and as this feeling itself is a thrilling one combined with so much anticipation already, I want to share my hopes for my first-time ever adventure to Thailand.

Looking Forward to Adventures and Exploring

I already heard from friends who’ve been to Thailand before, that it’s like a playground filled with adventures and inspiring activities and that there’s something to find for every taste. I just hope to be taken off the beaten path and to explore the spirit of Thailand. Gorgeous nature, beaches, lagoons; seeing temples, maybe even experiencing some thrilling activities - that’s what I’m in general hoping for and what I am already curious about. I can’t wait to dive into the wonders of this beautiful country. Let’s take a closer look into the possibilities

Landscapes and Sunsets

I know, one shouldn’t trust pretty Instagram pictures too much. But I think it’s safe to say, Thailand's breathtaking landscapes are nothing but awe-inspiring. Friends of mine who travelled Thailand confirmed as well: From crystal-clear waters and immaculate beaches to spectacular mountains and green jungles - the natures beauty will have a lasting grip on you. I definitely want to do some hikes, spot waterfalls, enjoy relaxing at the beach and witness those stunning sunsets that leave the sky in colors of orange and pink.

Street Food Journey

I hope my Thailand trip to be a culinary journey, as well. I think, all of us heard about the diverse food scene with its unbelievable amount of different flavors. Variations of Pad Thai, papaya salads, curries, Tom Yum soup and of course mango sticky rice are on my snack-to-do-list already, haha. ^^ I’ll probably wont be eating something too adventurous, still though, I wanna try many new dishes… and maybe even find a new favorite one.

A Land With Smiles

I've already heard of Thailand’s very friendly people who are genuinely welcoming and warm-hearted. That’s something I do so much look forward to: the hospitality and kindness. :) I’m sure, as soon as I set foot in Thailand, I'll be greeted with friendliness and smiles. Bonding with locals, learning about their culture and make some nice connections will not only add to the travel experience. It will also help feeling kinda at home in this foreign country.

Culture and Traditions

One more thing I can think about hoping for my first visit to Thailand is the chance of immersing myself in the rich cultural heritage and traditions. I heard, these are the basis that you can find in every aspect of daily life. I definitely want to go to some of the temples like Wat Arun. Maybe there will be some festivals and ceremonies as well while I’m in Thailand that I can participate in. Visiting historical sites is also a must-do to me and I hope to learn a lot about Thailand’s culture. :)

But because I’m not just an open-minded but also careful person, there are of course also things, that I should keep in mind when traveling to Thailand for the first time. Here is my “Keep In Mind” list, that I made so far:

1. Be Respectful

I surely want to show respect and understanding for the culture and traditions during my journey. This starts with dressing appropriately when visiting temples and goes to familiarizing myself with basic Thai etiquette. One example for it is doing the “Wai” as a respectful way for greeting others (it’s when you press together your hands and slightly bow your head). There’s more to keep in mind I’ll inform myself about before the journey. I don’t wanna be rude accidentally while the Thais welcome me so friendly as a tourist.

2. Street Food Is Yummy but Be Careful

My tummy can be a diva and I want to avoid a bellyache (or worse) under all circumstances. That’s why I’ll just go for well-cooked dishes, which are freshly made and served hot. Spots where many customers fluctuate are pretty safe, I guess. And choosing vendors who have some kind of refrigerator for their ingredients is also something to keep in mind (I f..ed up on this one once in Vietnam, but that’s another (and pretty stupid) story xD). Also, let’s not forget about drinking water: As in many countries, drinking tap water is not an option and I’ll stick to bottled water only.

3. Be A Responsible Tourist

That’s such a crucial thing to keep in mind: I’m the visitor and I should be responsible to minimize the environmental impact while traveling in this country. It’s actually an obvious thing to me, yet I want to set this as some kind of reminder. Nature and wildlife are to be respected and activities that exploit animals or contribute to habitat destruction are so, so bad. For example, avoid littering and dispose waste properly. Maybe one could even look out for eco-friendly businesses and support them.

4. Secure My Belongings

Thailand is generally known to be a safe destination for travelers. Nonetheless, scams and theft can occurre in any country. So I should keep in mind to always be aware of my surroundings and keep my important stuff close to me. If offerings or “special deals” seem too good to be true, then they’re most likely some kinda scam. Probably touristy areas are predestined for such things. So yeah, I’ll be aware of strange situations and will trust my instincts if something comes my way that makes me feel uncomfortable.

5. Learn Some Thai

English is widely spoken in tourist areas and friends told me, that you’re doing absolutely fine with English only. But I’m interested in languages anyways, so I think learning at least a few basic Thai phrases would be a good idea. Maybe it will make a difference in the end when communicating with the locals. I think even just simple phrases like hello, goodbye, thank you and so on will make a small difference and I can show the Thai people, that I’m really trying. :)

Conclusion

I’m soooo happy about the Thailand journey waiting for me this year and I can feel the excitement by just thinking about it. :)) I think it’s certain, that all the joy of this trip will stay with me for a long time. Thailand, sweep me off my feet, ok!? I’m already looking forward to every adventure, positive encounter, delicious street food bite and breathtaking sunset view that will show me Thailand as this dream destination everyone is talking about. <3
I can’t wait for it.