A waterway off a Thai beach

Last month, I returned from a trip to Thailand. It was my first trip abroad, which was a very special experience for me.

Thailand is a beautiful country, brimming with a passion for life. Thai people seem to have great love and respect for their king, even though it is now a democracy.

Everything was different there, even the smell of the soil seemed to be new to me! I’d heard people say that Bangkok is a shopper’s paradise, but I found it to be much more than that, with its rich heritage and a paradise of smiling people.

The Royal Palace was especially enchanting. Built in 1782, it is spread over a huge area and is well-maintained. The king — always called Rama — is believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The majestic Reclining Buddha was also breathtakingly beautiful. The entire statue is gold-plated and is about 46m long and 15m in height. The Golden Buddha is another Thai masterpiece. It is made of 5.5 tonnes of solid gold, and was excavated about 300 years ago.

I also visited The Safari World. The best part of my visit came when I was passing the cages of the parakeets and cockatoos, where I actually talked and sang to them.

Thailand has rich deposits of ruby and sapphire. The world’s largest gem factory is found there, which is owned by the government.

Water sports are another highlight of a Thai holiday. At Pattaya, I went deep-sea walking and parasailing. I saw an underwater coral reef through a glass-bottomed boat. The Tiffany’s show was a beautiful performance with exaggerated stage designs and elaborate and colourful costumes. This was a holiday that was not only de-stressing, it also left me enchanted.

Have a holiday to share? Tell t2@abpmail.com