Amari Pulse

Are you fortunate enough to be visiting Thailand during Songkran? Be sure to make the most of it as this is one of the most colourful and festive times of the year. To mark the occasion, there are an array of events to enjoy, from traditional merit making ceremonies and beauty pageants, to parades brimming with life and entertainment.

The highlight of this festival though has to be the fun-filled water fights - where thousands of residents and tourists take to the streets to drench each other in water, whether for cleansing and good luck, or just to enjoy a good time! And whilst this may seem a little off from your run-of-the-mill holiday, the Thai Lunar New Year celebrations is an experience you will not soon forget.

To ensure you are well prepared, we bring you our top 8 Songkran survival tips:

• Arm yourself - Head to your nearest shopping centre, supermarket, or convenience store and buy yourself a water gun. They come in all shapes and sizes, but we recommend getting something that can shoot long distances, and has a sizeable water reservoir.
• Invest in a disposable waterproof camera - Capture all your favourite moments - snapshots full with colour, so you can take them back home to show friends and family.
• Leave valuables at home - Leave your jewellery, cameras, and anything easily lost or damaged behind before participating in the festivities (more on that below).
• Carry zip lock bags - For those items which you need take with you, don't leave your room without a ziplock bag. Use to store necessities such as enough local currency to get you through the day, and of course essential travel documents. 
• Dress accordingly - Dress down, wear an old T-shirt and pair of shorts. If you don’t have these types of clothing, swing by a street vendor where you can pick some up for relatively cheap. Avoid white clothing as they tend to become see through when wet.
• Wear sunblock, lots of it! - And make sure its waterproof! We recommend at least SPF 50 to be safe.
• Use waterproof makeup - Should you decide wear makeup, use the waterproof kind to ensure you are looking your best throughout the celebrations.
• Avoid roads - Be careful and try to stay clear of the roads when possible. People often tend to enjoy themselves a little too much then take to the roads intoxicated, especially motorcyclists!

So there you have it, everything you could possibly need for the Songkran festivities. Get prepared and most importantly, have fun and enjoy yourself!

Sawasdee Pee Mai!

In the second part of our two part series, our guest blogger shares his first impressions of Bangkok. Read on to find out where he visited and what impressed him most about the Land of Smiles.

Bustling Bangkok
Arriving at my home for the next three days, the Amari Watergate Bangkok, I couldn’t help but think that this place was perfect to experience bustling Bangkok. From its relaxing vibe to hospitable staff, I understood why this was a popular hotel amongst travelers.

After freshening up and a quick light snack, we headed off to the Chao Phraya to embark on a night cruise of the country’s largest river. This was a first for me and an experience I would always remember. Bangkok at night is simply stunning.

We ended our first day with a blast! I wouldn’t leave this city without a night on the town and I was not disappointed. After hours of partying to the beats of international D.Js, we headed back to the hotel in a TukTuk and called it a night.

Embracing the Culture
The next morning, we experienced the rich vein of culture that Bangkok is known for. A tour of the beautiful temples was a great cultural experience. A quick tip for ladies here is to make sure you wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees or else you’ll have to borrow before entering the temple – not something I would recommend.

We then went to the Arts of the Kingdom Museum. Here they showcase the finest Thai artistry and crafts and certainly an experience not to miss. It’s a shame that you can’t take photos inside but nevertheless, a great place to visit.

Dinner on the second day was at Red Skies, a stunning roof top restaurant with panoramic views of Bangkok. The food was delicious and for us, the perfect way to end our journey.

Heading Home
After so many years, my dream of visiting Thailand has come true. I had the opportunity to experience different foods, traditions and a rich culture. I return home with great memories and the determination to return.

Discover the tantising flavours of Middle Eastern cuisine prepared by our award winning Master Chef Yasser Darwich.

Who is Master Chef Yasser?

Humble, passionate, and focused on his work, Chef Yasser has received several awards from the prestigious Emirates Culinary Guild of Dubai including: 

• Bronze Medal for New Arabian Cuisine
• Merit Award for Practical Cookery (Traditional Arabic Mezzeh)
• Middle East Junior Chef of the year Dubai 2008
• Silver Medal for Practical Cookery (Emirate Cuisine Meat Dishes)

Master Chef Yasser has demonstrated his talent at the famous Al QASR Hotel Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai where some of the most prestigious world’s dignities have had a chance to experience his traditional culinary talents presented in a modern style.  

Chef Yasser’s signature dishes include:

• Cold Mezze platter of Hummus, Tabouleh and Moutabbal
• Falafel served with Tahini sauce. 

Be sure to sample Chef Yasser’s delicious cooking next time you are in Bangkok.