I have a great story to share with you about my first time traveling abroad. It all started when I was working for MakeMyTrip India, a leading online travel company. They had acquired HotelTravel, another travel company based in Phuket, Thailand. One day, I got the news that our team was going to visit the Phuket office and meet our colleagues there. I was thrilled because I was the only data analyst for HotelTravel and I had been working hard to support all the product managers. But I still had to confirm with my boss, Apar Sureka, if he had included me in the team. He was a good boss to me and he said yes with a smile.
I couldn't wait for the trip. Thailand is an amazing country with beautiful beaches, temples and food. It is also 1 hour 30 minutes ahead India's time, which meant I could sleep a bit more. I bought a new trolley bag and some clothes for the trip. MakeMyTrip took care of everything else, like visa and currency exchange. They really made it easy for us to travel.
It was my first time flying abroad and I was so nervous and anxious. I took the metro to the airport and waited for the rest of the team to join me. We were a mix of product and tech people, and we were going for an official project, not for fun.
We boarded the flight from Indira Gandhi airport and had a stopover at Kuala Lumpur. That's where things got messy. I lost and because of international roaming I couldn't contact anyone from my team. I was freaking out and overthinking everything, as usual. The airport was huge and I had no idea where to go. I saw some women wearing burkhas working there, which was new to me.
I decided to look for the gate number of our connecting flight and hoped to find someone familiar there. I took the metro inside the airport, which was cool, and finally reached the gate. To my relief, I saw some people from makemytrip there and felt a bit more relaxed. We boarded the next flight to Phuket and I was ready for some adventure.
At dinner time, I realized I hadn't done online boarding, so I had to sit with strangers. Being an introvert, I was wondering how to talk to them or if they would judge me. I also wanted to know if the food was free or not, because I was hungry but also broke. And then I saw them serving wine to others, and I thought it would be nice to have a drink in the air.
I gathered some courage and asked one of the male flight attendants if the food was free or not. He smiled and said, "Sir, it's compulsory". Then I asked him about the wine, and he said the same thing. I asked him again, just to be sure, "So it's free, right?". He nodded and gave me a glass of wine. I felt like a king and enjoyed my meal.
We flew there from India and the company arranged a transport for us from the airport to our hotel. The hotel was nice and close to the office. The receptionist was a Thai lady who didn't speak English, so we had some trouble checking in. Luckily, another person came and helped us get our rooms.
My buddy Ajay and I decided to explore the city as much as we could. We rented a scooter and went to see the beaches and other attractions every morning. Thailand is an hour and a half ahead India, so we woke up early according to our usual time. Then we went to the office at 9 AM.
We met our Phuket colleagues on the first day. I already knew some of them from our daily calls, but it was nice to see them in person. Apar suggested that we introduce ourselves and share a funny thing about ourselves. That was fun and broke the ice. We worked together with the Phuket team and learned a lot from them. They had a different working style and they were very efficient. One thing that amazed me was that they had people from different nationalities working there happily.
For lunch, most of the Phuket people brought their own food, but we had to eat out. There was a restaurant near the office that was run by a lady alone. She cooked everything fresh, so we had to wait a long time for our food. It was not like India, where most of the food is already prepared. But the food was delicious and worth the wait.
We delved into the renowned nightlife that Thailand is famous for. One of our memorable experiences took us to the bustling walking street, where massage services were offered with unique twists. The vibrant atmosphere and diverse activities made for an unforgettable night out. Notably, tourism plays a pivotal role in Thailand's GDP.
As we strolled along the walking street, it became evident that this place offered more than just entertainment. Beyond its reputation, the area is filled with lively energy and unique charm. Despite its associations, it's a destination that everyone should consider experiencing at least once, even for those who are married. It's interesting to note the diverse mix of visitors, including many from India.
One evening, we attended a captivating cabaret show featuring talented performers, including she-males, who showcased their dancing prowess to popular songs from various nations. The beauty and skill of the performers were impressive, although one could discern their true identity upon closer inspection.
Shifting our focus to daytime explorations, Ajay and I visited the majestic Big Buddha temple, discovering statues with similarities to Hindu idols but with distinct forms. Our adventurous spirit led us to hilly areas, and even a close encounter with traffic police couldn't deter our enthusiasm. Thanks to Ajay's quick thinking, we continued our exploration by confidently presenting his voter ID, which surprisingly allowed us to continue our journey unhindered.
Another highlight of our trip was when Venketesh Chanaraj, the VP of the hotel travel team, took us on a tour in a rented car. The day included a visit to an enchanting beachside restaurant where we enjoyed a delightful lunch with a scenic view.
The week culminated in an extraordinary experience as we collaborated with the Phuket team. The grand finale was the annual event held on an exquisite hotel terrace. The evening featured a delightful combination of food, wine, dance, award ceremonies and engaging games. It was a night to let loose and enjoy, highlighted by my unexpected dancing, which was recorded by my manager, Jatin. The video even found its way to the office WhatsApp group, providing a humorous end to our trip.
As the sun set on our final day, we reflected on the memorable moments of our week-long adventure in Phuket. The trip concluded with a flight back to India, leaving us with cherished memories of a fantastic experience in this vibrant Thai destination.
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