The first thing that you will notice as soon as you step outside Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok's main airport) is the humidity, no matter what time of the year it is, so be prepared. Then you will notice the heat, which altogether makes for a lovely concoction. If you want to save a few pennies when getting into town, come out of the terminal and walk all the way to the left - the metered taxi queue is down at the far end. Having seen some of the prices charged by the taxi sharks both inside and outside the terminal, a metered taxi is by far the most sensible option. Obviously don't forget to ask them to switch the meter on as they have a penchant for 'forgetting' the basics of their job! Bangkok is a very, very busy city so don't be surprised to be stuck in a traffic jam at 11pm. If New York is the city that never sleeps, then Bangkok only has a couple of hours' snooze.
Things to see, people to do
Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew
This is an absolute must for any visitor as it's the jewel in Bangkok's architectural crown. There is quite a lot to see in there so allocate at least half a day if you want to make the most of it. The complex includes several stupas and pagodas set on multi-leveled platforms with bonsai trees, Buddha statues, fountains and enormous painted dragon-like devils. Predictably enough you have to dress sensibly, which means that you may have to wear proper trousers in the searing heat, however there are numerous places where you can hide from the sun.
Wat Pho / Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Wat Pho is mainly famous for the huge Reclining Buddha statue it houses. The impressive gold plated reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, and is designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. It was made famous worldwide as it featured in a TV commercial here in the UK. Ok, I made this bit up - probably it was famous even before this TV appearance. Most visitors donate a nominal sum and in turn receive a bag of coins, which they then deposit one coin at a time into alm bowls placed along the perimeter around the Reclining Buddha. This is meant to bring you good luck. For your information, I am sick and tired of waiting for it and have asked for a full refund (I will keep you posted).
A boat trip on the Chao Phraya River
If you want to get some relief from the heat, you could do a lot worse than taking the boat ride/service which takes you to all the 9 piers providing access to Bangkok's most famous attractions. It is very cheap to travel on the river if you stay with the usual tourist boats which leave every 10 minutes or so. Not only do you see some amazing buildings and boats on your journey you will also see the day to day lives of Thais working and living on the river.
Visit a proper Thai spa
If you want to get properly pampered, then you're in the right city. And this is because in Bangkok you can get a 2-hour body massage in a totally relaxing environment, soothing music etc... for approx. 50 pounds. Do a Google search for one of the many spa centres in Bangkok and let your instinct guide you. Be advised that these spa centres are very reputable places and do not offer any services that you wouldn't want your mum and dad to know about. If that's what rocks your boat.... then ask Fat Dave from Dagenham, not me.
Filling your gullet:
I think that Bangkok is one of those cities where you can never go hungry. This is because (if you're not too fussy of course) you can find food stalls virtually everywhere in the city. I am not particularly fussy however I still draw the line at cockroaches (not joking, and you don't have to look too hard to find them).
Khaosan Road:
this world-famous road is Backpacker Central. At the Chakrapong Road end, there is a multitude of road stalls selling yummy food, like the ubiquitous Pad Thai (Thai noodles to you and me), many varieties of seafood, meat (mostly chicken and pork), soups, fruit etc.... everything cheap as chips of course. If you don't know what they're selling, don't bother asking the stall owner - chances are that their English is as bad as your Thai and you won't get an answer.Or if you get it, I may not be able to repeat it in a reputable blog like this. Many more stalls are to be found in the nearby Rambuttri Road.
Seafood:
If fish and seafood is your thing and you're on a budget, then head down to Sukhumvit Road Soi 7. When you take this road there is a food court about 50 yards on the right. Lots of fresh fish and seafood on display, all you have to do is materially pick whatever you want to eat, choose the sauce you want it in and wait! Your (short) wait will be much more amenable if you get a fresh coconut to sip before food arrives on your table. It's to die for, try it!
Things to see, people to do
Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaew
This is an absolute must for any visitor as it's the jewel in Bangkok's architectural crown. There is quite a lot to see in there so allocate at least half a day if you want to make the most of it. The complex includes several stupas and pagodas set on multi-leveled platforms with bonsai trees, Buddha statues, fountains and enormous painted dragon-like devils. Predictably enough you have to dress sensibly, which means that you may have to wear proper trousers in the searing heat, however there are numerous places where you can hide from the sun.
Wat Pho / Temple of the Reclining Buddha
Wat Pho is mainly famous for the huge Reclining Buddha statue it houses. The impressive gold plated reclining Buddha is 46 meters long and 15 meters high, and is designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into nirvana. It was made famous worldwide as it featured in a TV commercial here in the UK. Ok, I made this bit up - probably it was famous even before this TV appearance. Most visitors donate a nominal sum and in turn receive a bag of coins, which they then deposit one coin at a time into alm bowls placed along the perimeter around the Reclining Buddha. This is meant to bring you good luck. For your information, I am sick and tired of waiting for it and have asked for a full refund (I will keep you posted).
A boat trip on the Chao Phraya River
If you want to get some relief from the heat, you could do a lot worse than taking the boat ride/service which takes you to all the 9 piers providing access to Bangkok's most famous attractions. It is very cheap to travel on the river if you stay with the usual tourist boats which leave every 10 minutes or so. Not only do you see some amazing buildings and boats on your journey you will also see the day to day lives of Thais working and living on the river.
Visit a proper Thai spa
If you want to get properly pampered, then you're in the right city. And this is because in Bangkok you can get a 2-hour body massage in a totally relaxing environment, soothing music etc... for approx. 50 pounds. Do a Google search for one of the many spa centres in Bangkok and let your instinct guide you. Be advised that these spa centres are very reputable places and do not offer any services that you wouldn't want your mum and dad to know about. If that's what rocks your boat.... then ask Fat Dave from Dagenham, not me.
Filling your gullet:
I think that Bangkok is one of those cities where you can never go hungry. This is because (if you're not too fussy of course) you can find food stalls virtually everywhere in the city. I am not particularly fussy however I still draw the line at cockroaches (not joking, and you don't have to look too hard to find them).
Khaosan Road:
this world-famous road is Backpacker Central. At the Chakrapong Road end, there is a multitude of road stalls selling yummy food, like the ubiquitous Pad Thai (Thai noodles to you and me), many varieties of seafood, meat (mostly chicken and pork), soups, fruit etc.... everything cheap as chips of course. If you don't know what they're selling, don't bother asking the stall owner - chances are that their English is as bad as your Thai and you won't get an answer.Or if you get it, I may not be able to repeat it in a reputable blog like this. Many more stalls are to be found in the nearby Rambuttri Road.
Seafood:
If fish and seafood is your thing and you're on a budget, then head down to Sukhumvit Road Soi 7. When you take this road there is a food court about 50 yards on the right. Lots of fresh fish and seafood on display, all you have to do is materially pick whatever you want to eat, choose the sauce you want it in and wait! Your (short) wait will be much more amenable if you get a fresh coconut to sip before food arrives on your table. It's to die for, try it!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment