Postcards from Thailand: a family journey from Bangkok to the north in search of temples, rice fields, and elephants

There are trips you plan, and others that simply find you (almost by surprise). Thailand was a bit of both: a destination that had been on our minds for a while and a moment that arrived almost unannounced. We traveled as a family—my brother, my parents, and I—and perhaps that’s why every scene, every place, every dish, and every local smile took on an even more special meaning.

We landed in Bangkok, a city that vibrates even from the air, where chaos has its own rhythm and ancient temples still stand tall among modern skyscrapers. The capital and its contrasting streets, the nighttime river cruises (not exactly recommended, but definitely memorable), the neon lights and street food of its famous Chinatown, and the calm from above at Tichuca rooftop, where the sunset is sipped in a tall glass and the view feels like a movie still.

The itinerary was set, and just a few hours after exploring the capital, we headed inland. Little by little, the noise faded into rice fields, into lotus leaves floating along canals that only locals have reached, and into Buddhist temples bursting with flowers and celebration. Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Lopburi… names that once seemed (almost) impossible to pronounce now sound beautiful, like places worthy of remembering.

But if I had to choose a single moment, a single place, it would be the elephant sanctuary near Chiang Mai. There, we learned that these animals are not only gentle giants, but also intelligent, affectionate, and almost human. They gave us hugs, "kisses," and (not-so-gentle) pats… They played in the water, delighted in bananas, and from that day on, I had yet another lovely reason to wear this beautiful creature tattooed on my skin.

Chiang Rai dazzled with its white and blue temples, stunning architectural works carved with patience, passion, and faith. And if there’s one thing this country can boast about, it’s its people, who make Thailand shine with its own light. This nation, also known as “the Land of Smiles,” owes its nickname to every one of its inhabitants, who with expert hands weave stories, offer reverence, and create beauty with a delicacy that has almost vanished elsewhere.

If you’ve been to Thailand and still don’t know what I mean, maybe you haven’t yet heard a group of young Thai musicians trying their best to sing in Spanish. “Despacito” had never sounded so sweet or so off-key—and never made us laugh so much. (My favorite, without a doubt, was the drummer, with his goofy smile and boundless enthusiasm).

Thailand isn’t just a place you visit: it’s something you live, breathe, and taste… And during this exotic getaway, we were left wishing we’d taken a ride in one of their famous tuk-tuks—those rockets on wheels that promise both adventure and the occasional scare. But that can only mean one thing: we’ll just have to pack our bags again.