Last year, I took a journey that was very special to me – it was my first trip abroad, and my destination was the beautiful country of Thailand.

Preparing for My First Trip Abroad

Since this was my first time traveling abroad. I wanted to make sure I was prepared. I didn’t want to arrive in Thailand knowing nothing about the country, so I did a research.

I spent time watching YouTube videos and travel blogs about Thailand. I watched vloggers share their experiences – where they stayed, which places they recommend, what food they tried, and which attractions were worth visiting. I also searched for the things I should and shouldn’t do in Thailand, what I needed to bring, and what to expect at the airport, and even the little things that might make my first international trip easier. I wanted to be prepared for everything.

But despite all that preparation, there is one thing I couldn’t completely prepare myself for: the day I had to leave the Philippines.

On the day of my departure, I was excited, but deep inside, I was also nervous.

I kept thinking, “What if I get offloaded?”

It was my first time traveling abroad, after all, I had heard stories about passengers being questioned by immigration officers, and naturally, I wondered if I would experience the same thing.

But then I reminded myself of the reason I was traveling. I was going to Thailand to attend a leadership training. I had a legitimate purpose for my trip, and I wasn’t going there for anything illegal. I had prepared my documents and knew where I was going and why I was going there.

So I took a deep breath, gathered my confidence, and faced the Bureau of Immigration.

The immigration officer asked me questions, and I answered them as honestly as I could.

And then came the moment I had been hoping for:

I passed. What a relief!

That moment may seem small, but for me, it was a big deal. It was the moment my first overseas adventure officially began.

I finally boarded the plane knowing that I was on my way to Thailand.

Captivating Arrival

As I watched Suvarnabhumi Airport from afar, anticipation slowly gave way to wonder. The moment we touched down, I found myself captivated by the airport’s striking design and the soft, glowing lights that illuminated it. There was something almost magical about arriving this way- it felt as though Thailand was already beginning to reveal its beauty before I had even stepped beyond the airport.

Discovering Bangkok

After the leadership training, my mentor, her two aunties, and I had finally had some time to explore Bangkok. We decided to make the most of our short stay and began our little adventure around the city.

Our first stop was Wat Arun, one of Bangkok’s most beautiful Buddhist temples. The temple was breathtaking with its intricate designs and towering structures covered in beautiful decorative details.

From Wat Arun, we headed to Chatuchak Market, one of Bangkok’s famous markets. We strolled through many shops, looked at all kind of things being sold, and enjoyed some local street food along the way. It was a completely different experience from the peaceful atmosphere of the temple, but just as enjoyable.

A Day Trip to Pattaya

The next day we joined a group tour to Pattaya. I was excited because this was another opportunity to see more of Thailand beyond Bangkok.

Our first stop was Gem Gallery. Inside we rode a small train that took us through an interesting presentation about gemstones and their history. It was fascinating to learn more about how theses beautiful stones are discovered, processed, and turned into jewellery.

And, of course, who could resist buying a little jewellery for yourself?

I certainly couldn’t!

I ended up buying one for myself.

It became a little souvenir from my first overseas trip – something I could keep and look at later and remember Thailand.

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

After the Gem Gallery, we headed straight to Nong Nooch Tropical Garden.

By then, we were probably ready for lunch, so we enjoyed a buffet before watching the elephant show.

And oh my goodness- the elephants had talents too!

They performed different tricks and showed just how clever they could be. But what really caught my attention was something I found incredibly cute.

I saw some of the elephants asking for tips!

They would use their trunks to point toward the tip boxes, almost as if they were saying, “Don’t forget us!”

And when someone gave them a tip, they could even use their trunks to take it.

There was an elephant that could do painting. Watching them interact with the audience was definitely, one of those unexpected little moments that stayed in my memory.

It wasn’t just the beautiful gardens or the performances that made the day special. It was these small, funny moments that made our Pattaya trip feel so alive.

And we still had more of the tour ahead of us.

A Quick Escape at Nong Nooch Garden

One thing I didn’t realize before visiting Nong Nooch Tropical Garden was just how huge the place was!

The garden is enormous, with so many beautiful areas to explore. Since we were on a group tour, we rode a tram that took us around the garden, giving us a glimpse of its different sections and attractions.

But honestly, I wished we had more time.

There was so much more I wanted to see and explore. I could have easily spent much longer wandering around the gardens, taking photos, and discovering the different areas.

Unfortunately, when you’re part of a group tour, you have to follow the schedule. The tour guide has a timetable, and everyone has to be back at the meeting point on time.

And then came my little adventure.

I almost forgot that I was on a group tour!

I decided to make a quick little escape on my own because I wanted to explore a bit more. I thought I would just wander around for a few minutes and come back.

Well….

Apparently, those few minutes were enough for everyone to start looking for me!

I came back to find out that my group had been wondering where I was.

Oops!

I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. I had completely forgotten the golden rule of group tours.

Don’t wander too far from the group!

Looking back, it’s one of those funny moments from the trip that I will always remember. And if I ever return to Thailand, I would definitely want to go back to Nong Nooch and give myself much more time to explore.

The Laser Buddha and an Evening at Tiffany’s

After our visit to Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, we continued our tour and and made a stop to catch a glimpse of the famous Laser Buddha.

We didn’t have a lot of time there, but even from a short visit, the sight was impressive. The image of Buddha carved into the side of the mountain using laser technology was something I have never seen before. It was another unique experience to add to our Thailand memories.

And then, without much time to rest, we headed straight to our next destination – the famous Tiffany’s Show in Pattaya.

I was curious about what we were about to see. I had heard about the beautiful performances, but seeing the show in person was something completely different.

The moment the show started, I was captivated.

The performers came onto the stage in stunning costumes, with beautiful choreography, music, lights, and elaborate stage designs. Everything was so colorful and glamorous. The performers were incredibly talented, confident, and graceful.

It wasn’t simply a show, it was a spectacular production.

After a full day of sightseeing, it was the perfect way to end our Pattaya adventure.

From gemstones, gardens, and elephants to the Laser Buddha and an unforgettable evening show, the day was packed with experiences.

And I was beginning to realize that my first overseas trip was becoming much more memorable than I had ever imagined.

© 2026 Eorie Faye. All Rights Reserved.

Image source: Original Photo