Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Songkran summertime
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 09/04/2021
» Summer is here and Songkran is around the corner so get your water guns ready because Bangkok is about to become an all-out water war zone! Wait, no water battles? For two consecutive years? Sadly, Songkran hasn't been the same since Rona came around and it seems like we have to wait yet another year to -- hopefully -- celebrate Songkran in the wet and wild way we're familiar with. But that doesn't mean your summer has to be a bummer or that Songkran has to be spent cooped up at home -- though we know it's certainly tempting since it's getting too dang hot outside. Here are some things you can do this Songkran summertime besides being sad that water fights aren't a thing again this year.
The other WFH
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 29/01/2021
» The light at the end of the proverbial tunnel seems to grow brighter and brighter each day as Covid cases begin to somewhat falter and vaccinations are set to soon begin. But as we look forward to the day when we can finally and truly put all of this behind us, we're not entirely out of the woods yet. That means we're still facing a few more days of enduring working from home just to be safe. That might be great news for some, but for others who are sick of the same desk, same chair and same four walls, fear not. If you're looking for a change of work scenery, these hotels in Bangkok and nearby provinces are offering their rooms so you can WFH or "Work From Hotel".
Quarantine 2.0
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 15/01/2021
» Let's be honest and admit that it was bound to happen. The second we got wind of a domestic case in Samut Sakhon, it was only a question of when things would be ordered to close. Granted, it may not be a hard lockdown like the first time around. However, as of the writing of this article, we're upwards of 10,000 cases now compared to the now-measly 1,000 or so we had the first time around so it's safe to say that things are a little worse than before. However, vaccines are set to arrive next month so there's a glimmer of hope. All we have to do is once again limit ourselves from going out in public unless absolutely necessary. I know the thought of having to once again lock ourselves at home is a drag, and that's why we've got this handy list for you. Here's how to thrive -- or at the very least, survive -- the second quarantine.
Stress-busters
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 06/11/2020
» This year has been a total crapfest. We've gone through a soft lockdown and we're past it, but the pandemic continues and things are far from normal. Then there is the current state of affairs, which just piles on to the mounting stress. It's been a rough year and I can't help but remember that we all felt the same optimism when we wanted 2019 to end. Remember when we thought that year was bad? We've got two more months of 2020 and let's be real, we're not really sure what 2021 holds. Fortunately for you, I've done the hard work and listed a few viable options to let off steam. Whether it's by trashing a room or cuddling puppies, here are a few ways you can relieve the stress from the troubling times we're in.
Eat, sleep, repeat
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 25/09/2020
» With tourism at an all-time low in a country that relies heavily on tourism, the government is scrambling to soften the blow on the economy. Hotels have taken it pretty hard, with a few reopening but still operating at low to medium capacity. However, there are hotels that have come up with a plan to entice spending at their properties: dine and stay promotions. It's pretty straightforward: you spend a certain amount to feast and eat your fill, and then you're awarded with a free stay or a discount on your next booking. Eat and be rewarded for it. Loosen those belts and throw diet rules out the window, as we list the hotels that are offering dine and stay promos.
Secret services
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 28/02/2020
» Bangkok is rapidly becoming a city with innovations that make life much easier. Yes, we at Guru have complained a lot about the city's many negative aspects but we also can't deny that the city has improved. Is there room for improvement? Oh, definitely. But there are many things that we use right now that we simply cannot imagine life without. What would life be without the services of GrabFood to deliver meals to your door or Shopee and Lazada to do your shopping from the comfort of your home? How about the Lock Box storage facilities we see in many BTS and MRT stations that help tourists roam without having to drag their luggage with them? Can we forget about the lifesaving GrabTaxi and GrabBike services? There are more services on the rise that you may not know about and that's what we're here to spotlight this week.
Holiday party essentials
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 20/12/2019
» Like most holiday seasons (we have a few in Thailand), this is a time for celebration, a time for giving and getting together with friends and loved ones. Whether it's for a classy Christmas dinner with the grandparents and all the relatives or a rowdy night out with the pals on New Year's Eve, you're bound to have lots of parties and get-togethers. Though you may be looking forward to the parties, there may be things stressing you out: What if your friends choose to party at a place that's really far where traffic is horrible? What if you have multiple get-togethers on one day and can't go home for an outfit change between events?What if you have nothing to wear to all these parties but even if you did, you don't have the budget for it? 'Tis the season and at Guru we are all about reducing your stress. We've got stuff that can help you out.
Team Thailand
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 12/10/2018
» Us living in Bangkok may be accustomed to complaining about the various things we experience on a daily basis, whether it be heavy traffic, the absence of law-abiding drivers, taxi rejections or the crowded streets and trains. And while these grumblings are founded and you have the right to complain (because we do too), there are things that we should be proud of in the Big Mango and Thailand. As evidenced by this list, plenty of accolades have been lavished to Bangkok or Thailand, and sometimes we have to put aside our jadedness to realise that we're living in a pretty great place. Just recently, Bangkok was named one of the top destinations in the world by Mastercard and was also named "the least unhappy country" by the Bloomberg Misery Index. So this week, we've done what we thought was impossible: we're putting aside the snarkiness and sarcasm -- OK, maybe we're just lessening it a tad -- and listing the awards that have been bestowed upon Thailand. This is just so we learn to do what Eric Idle from Monty Python has been singing all these years: Always look on the bright side of life. That's wishful thinking though, we'll probably be back to our usual sarcastic selves in the next issue.
Just a couple of foodies
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 09/02/2018
» It's that time of the year when couples come out in full-force, restaurants are jampacked, roses and chocolates are more expensive, and single people are more bitter than usual. Yes, St Valentine's Day is upon us and that means couples all over the place. We could have just given you a list of places you could go to for a special dinner (actually, we did -- check our Food listings). But in lieu of the upcoming "festivities", if you could call it that, we decided to round up a number of foodie power couples to get to know their favourite restos and what they do during on this romantic day. Perhaps we noobs could learn a thing or two from them.
Festive feasting
Guru, Eric E Surbano, Published on 15/12/2017
» This festive holiday season is upon us, and that means Christmas shopping, giving, receiving gifts, and a whole lot of eating coming our way. While the malls glisten in sparkling lights and towering Christmas trees loom over our heads, festivities are never complete without a proper feast. Sure, you can go for a home-cooked meal, but perhaps you're a noob or simply a disaster in the kitchen; maybe no one in the family really cooks or maybe you just want to do something different and make this year extra special. Since all of you know that we here at Guru care very much about you, our dear readers, we have taken it upon ourselves this week to give you what we consider our Christmas gift. So from us -- the wacky crew that's currently rushing to meet deadlines so we actually enjoy the holidays -- and from the bottom of our hearts, we present to you a list of places where you can feast this holiday season. Loose pants recommended.