Offsite @ Thailand!

Time: Feb 4th to 8th, 2025

Place: Bangkok & Pattaya, Thailand

Company: Colleagues

Highlights: 2025 Kick-off @ Shangri-La Bangkok! Informatica was previously very famous to arrange off-sites at exotic countries, but, alas, after I joined in 2019, there was none organized until 2025! So, obviously, there was a lot of build-up and excitement and expectations! This kick-off was for 250+ people, so facilitating and making it happen involved a lot of effort.

Day 1 - Feb 4th: 

Flight was at 5.30ish in the morning. I later realized I should not have chosen that flight since it kept me awake all night as I took the cab from home at midnight, reached airport by 2ish, finished check-in formalities, and since it was Brahma muhurtham, also finished my kriyas in the airport itself. Then, since I got hungry, grabbed some breakfast, chit-chatted with colleagues and finally got on the Indigo flight. Flight was uneventful, thankfully, and we reached Bangkok on time mid-morning.

We finished the immigration formalities. Once again, like last time when I entered Bangkok (DMK airport that time, Suvarnabhumi airport this time), the authorities were trying to usher all of us into a fast-track queue which is not really necessary. Deliberately avoided the authorities and went in the usual queue. Then we all gathered at an appointed place, a shuttle bus arranged beforehand took us to Shangri-La Hotel. Checked-in to the hotel and freshened up at the room. Met some of my friends from US, and it was a great get-together. Since I had a talk the next day, I was supposed to go to the Grand ballroom and check upon the mic, the stage, the clicker, etc. which I did with my 'talk-partner'. Felt fairly confident, especially after having done the same at Vegas a year and half ago.

Some of us immediately made plans to go sight-seeing Bangkok on foot. First, we went to have lunch at a Vegan place, it was wonderful. Then we went to Mahanakhon Skywalk which is Bangkok's highest observation deck. Slightly pricey but it was worth it. We went to the top in a good elevator experienced theme and stayed on the terrace for a really long time, just gazing everywhere - East, west, south and north - while chatting about official stuff. It was great hanging out with colleagues with a view! And then we went to the glass-walk, which was really something since we could walk on glass with a complete view till the ground from the top of the building where we were. It does indeed give a 3D effect!

Finally, after sunset, it was time for us to depart. Took the nearby train and it took us directly to Shangri-La. Quickly changed for the pool-side reception which was arranged. At this venue, we met with all of our colleagues. The setting was great. Food was mainly non-veg but tender coconut was awesome. Had a great time mingling mostly with the folks from US, with whom we usually always were in calls but never had met in person. And of course, my own team. I retreated to room early since I had to still finish kriyas for the day, and also I had to prepare for my talk. The room was supposed to be shared with one another person but he shared with someone else and hence I had the room for myself.

Day 2 - Feb 5th: 

Got up early, finished kriyas, hurried to breakfast. Variety to choose from, picked whichever had less queue! Followed up with Keynote from the CIO, which lasted about an hour and then a session by Gartner for another hour. Couple of Knowledge sessions, a lunch discussion too, especially on things that could be done better by our department and how best we can contribute. I was involved as one of the facilitator. This was followed up by more meetings, to note was one from Women in Tech and activities done by that team. And then we had functional breakouts for couple of hours and this was the first time, all of our team (US and India) were under one roof. It was a great hangout and we exchanged many ideas. That done, we had to quickly gather again for a Scavenger hunt game that was arranged just the previous day by some of the volunteers. It was great fun to find out things and run amongst the hotel lobbies! We were done by about 5 pm and we had some rest time for couple of hours. 

Dinner Cruise was next, and easily this was the best part of the entire trip. The cruise itself was decked up beautifully and then it cruised on the river all along Bangkok. We witnessed some of the most beautiful temples like Wat Arun and even colorful bridges. It was truly relaxing and spectacular. And then, DJ started and everyone on the cruise started dancing. The DJ involved Indian music too, so everyone enjoyed it a lot. It was only later I came to know that there was even a traditional Thai dance/act set up in the basement too. Completely missed that since I was on the upper deck all through, watching folks dance away to glory. Even our own Shangri-La hotel looked great from the cruise. 

Alas, it was time to get down! But then, high on energy, no one wanted to retire to their rooms. So, our team went to a nearby hangout place which was more like a traditional Thailand house except it was a pub. So, we all positioned ourselves into a small room filled with sofas, stools, tables, etc. and started playing mafia. It was great fun. I returned about midnight whereas many of them continued to play. 

Day 3 - Feb 6th: 

Breakfast but this time I was early and I tried everything that I wanted to. There was one marathon session by an educator after which was a session that I had to host along with two others. No jitters this time, no butterflies, I was pretty confident on what I had to talk. I hadn't even prepared this time, no presenter notes too. I had mentally made some points and just tried to relate them all. It came out well, and there were a lot of people who congratulated me. Felt happy that I was able to articulate well and relieved that my main part of the offsite was over. Next was lunch and again, many members came over to tell me how well my session went.

After lunch was Shark Tank event. Here too, I was part of a team to present an idea. This was for full 2-3 hours, with ideas after ideas being presented. My bit was just a few lines which I got it done when the time came. To my honest surprise, our idea won the runners-up. We were done by about 4 pm. After this, some of us leads sat and discussed about the pros and cons of our team, and what we as leaders should do to make it better. It was one of the most productive sessions of the entire trip.

Gala Dinner followed suit at 7 pm. Many of us dressed in our best. There was an award ceremony - some of them formal and most of them informal. It was great camaraderie. Then there was one more dance party but it was kind of hard to follow up with the previous night's cruise party. So after about 30-40 mins, the crowd started fizzling out.

Our team went to one room and, once again, we started playing mafia. There was hardly any space with about 25 or more of us in one small room. Still, it was great fun, especially, with some folks cheating, some intoxicated and making fun of themselves! Like the previous night, I retired early to my room.

Day 4 - Feb 7th:

Got up late, had a nice easy time with breakfast without having to hurry like the last two days. Roamed around the dining area, chit-chatting with those who still had not checked out. Said byes to most. Then, I checked out myself from the room, and gathered with my colleagues. While most of them flew back to BLR, I had chosen to stay with some of them and explore Pattaya. We were about 9-10 of us, and we had booked two vehicles to take us from the hotel in Bangkok to our hotel in Pattaya. It was about 2-3 hours of drive, and I was surprised at the industrialism all through the highway route.

Reached our hotel, which was close to the main beach area. We checked-in and soon after made our way to Sanctuary of Truth. Quite a pricey entrance fees but it was well worth it. The architecture and carvings are superb, the knowledge and teachings also were very well translated by the guide. We spent a really long time, and waited for the sunset. Took a bunch of pictures. Then we went to Pattaya beach area and did some quick shopping for the family members back home.

Dinner at a nearby Indian restaurant. Walked back to the hotel via the beach. Spent nice time sitting at the beach at night, darkness in front of us and light behind us. Walked through the 'Walking Street'. Personally I felt it was worse than Vegas Strip, since there were folks almost manoeuvring us into clubs physically. Had not seen such a scene anywhere else since Vegas times. It looked like Human Consciousness was at all time low on this street - with drinks and body being the center of everyone's attention. Almost felt impure after walking through that street! Retired to the room and slept.

Day 5 - Feb 8th: 

Got up early, grabbed some sandwiches from 7-11, and quickly went on the boat to Ko Lan island. Walked for about 15-20 mins and came to a small hilltop where there was a big statue of an old Buddha sitting. We meditated for some time, and continued the climb to the top of the hill where there was one more small shrine. Had a nice view of the beach and entire ocean from here. The climb was tough indeed.

From here, it was all the way back home. Went back to the pier, took the boat back to Pattaya mainland, grabbed lunch at an Indian restaurant, took the luggages, booked a cab and went to the airport. Some of them had chosen to continue to stay at Pattaya for couple more days, only three of us had chosen to fly back. We were on time, and rest of the journey back to BLR and home was uneventful.

Summary: I hadn't had many opportunities in my career (unlike many others who had joined Informatica before me) where we could travel internationally with colleagues and not for work purposes, and this was my first. It was wonderful and felt really good about the entire trip. This trip went a long way in cementing our bonds, and I felt like I had a special feather in my cap after my presentation!