Earlier last month, my wife and I spent two full days in Bangkok. I had done my usual research beforehand. However, I still wasn’t sure how we’d manage to see the major sights in such a short time. So, I decided to hire a guide from 9 to 5.
We were lucky to be matched with Apple. She speaks excellent English and has a warm, easygoing personality. That made it easy to ask questions throughout the day. More importantly, she plans routes with impressive efficiency.
For example, she helped us see the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun without big crowds. In addition, she arranged a river trip we didn’t know how to plan. Because of her, the day ran smoothly and felt stress-free.
At each stop, she explained what we were seeing in detail. She also made sure we stayed in shaded areas, which helped with the heat. Later, she arranged a private longtail boat for a canal tour. That gave us a rare look at the quiet side of Bangkok.
After that, we had lunch at a traditional Thai restaurant. Apple chose a fantastic mix of dishes for us to try. Following lunch, we explored Wat Arun, which looked stunning in the afternoon light.
Then we took a walk through Chinatown. Interestingly, the area reminded us of Singapore in the 1960s. Throughout the day, we asked Apple about her life, Thai culture, and the monarchy. She answered every question with honesty, insight, and warmth.
If you’re short on time, hire a guide. And if your guide is Apple, you’re in for something special.
