Travel Bits: November 2016

Are short trips worth all the hassle?

I am usually one who do not fancy the idea of short trips involving durations of 2 days/1 night or 3 days/2 nights unless these are overland trips to another city located within 100km of my home.

However, at the urging of a friend and on the need to run a short errand, I just returned from a 3 days/2 nights trip to Bangkok this week.

Bangkok is a 2-hour journey by flight from my home base of Singapore. Arriving at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (a.k.a Bangkok International Airport, IATA: BKK, ICAO: VTBS) around 2.15pm local time, it took less than an hour for me to clear the necessary Immigration and Customs procedures before I'm on the subway from the Airport to the city. 

Despite the short duration of this trip, I was not only able to complete my errand but also managed to take time out to shuttle around the city, enjoy the local food and even had time to sit myself in cafes to observe the mannerisms and dispositions of the people around me (a.k.a people watch).

Fountain at the entrance of the Siam Center Mall, Bangkok, Thailand (2016)

Large LCD Screens at the Siam Center Mall, Bangkok, Thailand (2016)

Siam Paragon Mall, Bangkok, Thailand (2016)

By 9.30am on the third day of the trip, I was well on my way back to the airport to catch my 12pm flight home. A short but satisfying trip.

This brought me back to the point on my preference on short trips. Well, this trip sort of change that mindset of mine a bit. On my flight back home, I told myself that perhaps short trips may be a good thing to consider in future if I am unable to afford the time and resource to go on longer trips.

What I learnt from this trip is that short trips can be worthwhile and enjoyable if the following can be achieved:

1. Flight time and cost: Any regional destinations with a flight time of 3 hours or below and where cost of an air ticket can be bought at good and reasonable rates. This brings to mind Budget Airlines which sometimes further discount their ticket prices due to seasonal fluctuations in air passengers volume.

Singapore-based budget airline Tiger Airways' Flight TR2106 flying over Bangkok on the afternoon of 22 November 2016 as it approached Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand (2016)

2. Transport at Destination City: There are affordable and convenient avenues to quickly transit between the airport and the city of your destination. This is important because you do not want to be spending a large percentage of your already short trip commuting from airport to hotel and vice versa.

3. Accommodation: As this a short trip, you are not likely to be spending too much time in your hotel  room but will be mostly out and about hitting the streets. Thus, the availability of accommodations at reasonable rates without the bells and whistles of 5-star establishments will be a good consideration.

During my trip, I stayed at the Aspira Sukhumvit, a small hotel conveniently located within walking distance of the Nana BTS Station, Bangkok, Thailand (2016)

4. Sights, Sounds and Taste: This is subjective. In general, any destination city that has enough to keep you actively engage for most of the time during your trip will be worth visiting. What can keep someone actively engaged varies from person to person. This can range from interesting museums and art galleries to cultural activities to clubbing and socialising.

Delicious dinning options are plentiful around the city, Bangkok, Thailand (2016)

My favourite Thai dessert, a must-eat for me every time I visit Thailand, Bangkok, Thailand (2016)

Decided on a short trip for yourself already? Hesitate no more, go book that air ticket, pack your haversack and get ready to travel! The world is waiting to welcome you.......