During the Christmas holiday, I and my triathlon buddies went to Bangkok to join the National Development Squad and Junior Squad for a triathlon training camp, but we added our own twist to have fun, enjoy the city, and indulge in some luxury along the way.
We were not exactly hardcore and not there to push ourselves to the limit or to compete with anyone. Here's how our triathlon training with a luxury twist went:
Cycling: We went to the Sky Lane Cycling Track at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which is a free facility for cyclists of all levels. You can bring your own bike or rent one from the bike shop on site. They have different types of bikes to suit your preference and budget. The track is 23km long and has two lanes: purple for the speedy ones, and blue for the chill ones. I did three laps, 1 on the blue for warm up and 2 on the purple lane, which was enough for me. After that, we headed to the food court to replenish our energy with some delicious Thai dishes.
Swimming: Every morning, we started our day with a 2km swim in the hotel pool. The pool was spacious, clean, and had a beautiful view of the city skyline. It was a relaxing way to warm up our muscles and get ready for the day ahead.
Running: Instead of doing boring runs on the track or on the treadmill, we decided to spice up our running training by turning it into a sightseeing adventure. We visited some of the famous landmarks in Bangkok, such as the Baiyoke Sky Hotel Building which is the tallest hotel in Bangkok, River City, Jodd Fairs and Chinatown. We ran at our own pace, stopping whenever we wanted to take pictures or admire the scenery. It was a great way to explore the culture and history of Bangkok while getting some exercise.
We also visited the new EMSphere, a stylish shopping mall which has a Future Retail concept that brings together the trends and lifestyles of tomorrow. We especially liked the Tribe Beach Club there where we chilled out on the sun lounger, enjoyed some drinks, immersed in the symphony of melodies, harmonies and beautiful skylines.
Eating: Of course, no trip to Bangkok would be complete without sampling its amazing cuisine. We ate like kings and queens, enjoying everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to street food stalls. We had a memorable dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River, where we savored a variety of dishes while watching the city lights sparkle on the water. We also tried some of the local specialties, such as pad thai, tom yum soup, birds nest, and mango sticky rice.
A cozy and charming place to admire art and culture is The Little Prince Café. This café as well a gallery is inspired by the classic French novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and it features a whimsical décor with illustrations and quotes from the book. The gallery showcases various artworks related to the theme of the book, as well as some original manuscripts and memorabilia. You can also find a variety of pastries, sandwiches, salads, and drinks on the menu. The Little Prince Café is a perfect spot to relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, while indulging in some literary nostalgia.
We also loved getting pampered with the Thai massage and spa several times while we were there.
We got around by tuk tuk, the best way to beat the traffic in Bangkok. It was a thrill to squeeze all five of us in one of those three-wheeled taxis.
It was a wonderful trip that combined triathlon training with luxury living. I had a blast with my friends, learned a lot about Bangkok, and improved my fitness level. I can't wait to do it again!
If you are looking for a way to combine fitness and fun, you might want to follow the example of our journey.
Check out the stunning activities >>> Triathlon Training in Bangkok with A Luxury Twist
