Part one

MANILA, Philippines?For many travelers, Thailand is a gorgeous colorful country with rich history, traditions and trés charming people.

Before moi could even bat an eyelash, we went to Bangkok. We were warmly welcomed onboard the world-class Thai Airways International and pampered with the airline?s renowned in-flight service, superbly prepared meals and excellent wines.

After a short smooth-as-silk two-hour-and-50-minute flight, we landed at Bangkok?s humongous, trés modern Suvarnabhumi Airport which can handle, take note, dahlings, an awesome 45 million passengers each year. Wow!

Welcoming us in Bangkok was Thai Airways International?s irreplaceable, well-respected general manager Nivat Chantarachoti. Once checked in at Bangkok?s colossal new five-star Centara Grand Hotel and Bangkok Convention Center at Central World, we immediately felt Thai?s well-known hospitality and service.

Our gang of nine consisted of the coolest political personality I?ve met in eons, Taguig?s popular and handsome, dynamic Mayor Freddie Tinga with his brilliant, adorable eye-catching wife Kaye Chua Tinga; Manille society?s well-loved new guards, businessman Sander Tantoco and wife, the epitome of femininity, socialite Mons Romulo; Philippine Tatler magazine and Philippine Daily Inquirer close pal Anton San Diego and moi; Philippine Star?s Pepper Teehankee; and ace photographer Alex Van

Hagen

We went to dinner at Yalong Restaurant at Central World, hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand official Prakit Piriyakiet.

So what does one do after visiting temples and other must-see interesting sights in Bangkok?

Shop, shop and shop some more while trying out some of the best restaurants in this modern yet traditional metropolis. That?s what we all did the following day before jetting off to Thailand?s newest, awesome paradise Koh Samui.

Imperial Boat House Hotel

Our home for four days was the sprawling eye-catching Imperial Boat House Hotel right in front of a pristine beach cove.

While having a late lunch at the hotel?s Captain?s Choice Resto, we were given a talk on what the island has to offer.

It?s a thickly wooded jungle which opens out into gorgeous sandy beaches of breathtaking beauty. Yes, dahlings, welcome to Koh Samui, which is now one of Thailand?s most popular tourist attractions.

Koh means ?island? in Thai, while Samui could be derived from mui, the name of a native tree, or the Chinese word saboey meaning ?safe haven.? It stands on the white sand surrounded by exotic wildlife and environmentally protected rain forest.

The Big Buddha is one of Samui?s most famous landmarks, an awesome representation of Buddhist faith.

Thailand?s third largest island, its well-maintained concrete road encircles the 250-sq km of Koh Samui?s coconut groves, wooden and high-rise bungalows and affordable resorts. The island has idyllic beaches, hills, jungle, waterfalls and picturesque rocky coves. Its main industries include tourism, coconut cultivation and fishing.

Visitors will be amazed at fantastic landscaped resorts like the Four Seasons Hotel, villas and vibrant nightlife.

Eco Safari

For more adventure, elephant-trekking is absolutely a must! Which is exactly what we did aprés lunch. We headed to Eco Safari, where we enjoyed a half-day nature tour. It started with an elephant ride through jungle trails which lasted for half an hour. Truly a unique experience. This was followed by the amusing elephant show. It?s too sexy for me to put in print. But oh, wow! What those trained elephant can do, dahlings.

From there we watched a demonstration of well-trained monkeys picking coconuts. We were told the monkeys are able to pick around 2,000 coconuts from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. If it were done by humans, they could only pick 500 coconuts for the same amount of time done by the monkeys.

Next, we climb on a farmer?s cart which toured us around the coconut plantation.

We missed the cashew nut plantation since our tour guide said it was not the best time of the day to go there because of mosquitos. But she emphasized, ?We don?t have dengue here.?

We then drove in our air-conditioned van through the jungle, with a couple of minutes? walk to Namuang waterfall, where many tourists jump in for a refreshing swim, which we preferred, instead of paddling a canoe through the beautiful mangrove forests of Samui.

We ended our fun half-day tour with a yummy dinner while watching the sunset at a breezy beachfront resto.

Back at the hotel, we met up with Mayor F. Tinga and Sander who were off at 6 a.m. to play 18 holes at Samui?s renowned Satiburi Golf Club.

To be continued.