08:25 12/10/2013 Spontaneous and unplanned. That’s how we described our weekend affair in the bustling cosmopolitan of Thailand a few weeks ago. It was never a plan to visit Bangkok, anytime soon. But a favorable circumstance came along the way and resisting it would only mean travel deprivation. The cheapo airfare was unbelievable, a kind of deal that you would never imagine as real. A one-time opportunity that requires impetuous decision and no second thoughts. A fortuity that changes our travel aspirations and made that dream to reality.
We took Bangkok’s public bus No 29 to reach our destination. A bus ride that showed us the glimpse of this vibrant metropolitan. Urban landscape, sidewalk peddlers, traffic jam resembles of that in Metro Manila. It’s beautiful and not chaotic as what others construe on this capital city.
The 27 KM journey cost only 13 Baht (6.50 each) which took us more than half an hour upon reaching Hua Lamphong station.
Our Temporary Abode
We picked Thara Guest House at Phra Artit Road. Our home for an overnight stays in Bangkok. It’s located near to tourist attraction like Khao San Road, and Grand Palace. Aside from it’s superb location, it truly gives a value for our money if talking about basic accommodation. This is highly recommended by backpackers. Yeah, we got to know Thara from Drew, a travel blogger friend who stayed long in this lovely guest house.
Where did we go in Bangkok?
Armed with map and camera we explore the main attractions of Thailand by foot. First stop was Thailand National Theater than to it’s adjacent Bangkok National Museum. Few hundred meters walk we halt at the White Elephants in Pom Pa Dad Junction near to Grand Palace complex.
We’re unable to witness the charm of Grand Palace and awe inspired by its architectural wonder as they were about to close. We’re kinda too late for a sightseeing. A local suggested to visit the other temples in the vicinity and happily point us to Wat Po.
Before we entered Wat Po, we’d been approached by another local guy telling us the same thing. Being naive and had immense love for temples we’d been ensnared by this temple visit trick. Though nothing bad happened but an hour of time was lost. We’ll share the details of this scheme and how we played it in the succeeding post.
On the second day, we took a visit to the scenic view of Queen Sirikit Park. Just a quick stop before heading to Chatuchak Weekend Market.
And shopping in Bangkok would not be complete if not to visit the largest weekend market in Thailand, the Chatuchak Weekend Market. We went into a maze of stalls, bargain, and shop until our bahts vanished into thin air. We regret of not bringing an extra cash for buying the stuff that we fancied.
Aside from temples and shopping, Bangkok is known for it’s cheap and tasty food. Eating from the restaurant to roadside stalls and even from the peddlers we tried them all. The failure attempt of eating Pad Thai from Hatyai trip was accomplished in this Bangkok trip.
This weekend affair in Bangkok would not be memorable if not with the local Thais. Nat who become our instant tour guide and meander with us in Chinatown. And reintroduce Tom Yum in Bangkok style. And the friendly receptionist Nong, who made sure our stay was convenient and pleasant in their guest house.
So many things left unchecked and a weekend was not enough to cover Bangkok. It truly deserves a revisit. We hope that universe will conspire again to make it happen. Crossing fingers
City Wanderers,
Sky and Summer
ahhh.. bangkok, the city that has something for any type of traveler. love that city!
thanks for this, very timely! hope to see you guys when i visit malaysia.
parang ang linis dyan. saya!
Same Here we love Bangkok!
Welcome James! We'll be glad to meet you here in Malaysia. Do let us know the date 🙂
Mas malinis ng kunti sa Manila 🙂
Wow, dami nyo nagawa at… Nakain! Hahaha. I'd love to revisit any part of Thailand even just for a weekend para lang kumain ng Thai food 😀
Babalik naman kami next next week, Southern Thailand na naman. Sarap talaga food nila. Never ako kami naumay sa food nila.
you obviously had so much fun, it really looks like a nice place to explore especially the temples and the market. 🙂
Yes we did! So much more to see in Bangkok and 2D1N is not really enough to cover it.