Over the top

Quad biking in the dunes of Namibia, stalking lions in Botswana, cruising Halong Bay in Vietnam - Our travels so far have been full of innumerable highlights. Yet our accommodations have been mostly modest.

So it was with eager anticipation that we awaited my parents arrival at Bangkok's shiny new (if already falling apart) airport. Because in addition to the love I feel for my parents, their arrival meant the start of two weeks of luxury hotels.

Checking into the Peninsula in Bangkok, I knew we were on a different type of trip. Nobody wore flip flops around the lobby (except me of course). In fact, the hotel specifically requested the guests dress appropriately. Hmm.

But they have standards to maintain. And what standards they are. From the TV in the bathroom to the free champagne delivered to our room (I had mentioned we were on our honeymoon, which is mostly true), the Peninsula was over the top. And the D2 in Chiang Mai and Hotel de la Paix in Siem Reap weren't far behind. For 13 lovely nights, we rested under goose down comforters in quiet rooms cooled by powerful air conditioners. Ambrosia.

Lunch was consumed poolside. Breakfast buffets included all-you-can-eat crispy bacon. On our last day at the Peninsula, the cabana man at the pool welcomed me with, "Good morning Mr. Kahn. Nice to see you again." I had really arrived.

But as with all good things, this life of luxury couldn't last forever. Last night we flew to Krabi and checked into the Friendly Bungalows. With a fan whirring overhead and a terry-cloth sheet to soak up the sweat (seriously), we settled back into budget travel life.

Please don't misconstrue this as whining. It really isn't. Not a day goes by that I don't appreciate how fortunate we are. But that doesn't diminish the sense of change I felt as I stepped under the cold shower this morning, straddling the toilet. This definitely ain't the Peninsula.