Bangkok Bits

We did a little document purging last night I found this Bangkok city map.  Like most of this informative maps, they are full of bits and trivia about the city you are exploring aside from giving you details on what to visit and how to get there.  Here are some bits and pieces from the map.

* The Golden Buddha of Wat Traimit

- If you've ever wondered what 5.5 metric  tons (5,500 kilograms) of solid gold might look like, go see for yourself at Wat Traimit, located at the southern end of Bangkok's Chinatown district.  The chief attraction of the Wat (Temple) is the fabulous Golden Buddha, the world's largest solid gold statue.  Today the Golden Buddha sits in a new building which was built to house and protect the 3.91 meter  tall image.  At current market value the gold in the statue alone is worth over $260,000,000, but, of course, as an item of historical and religious significance its true value is incalculable.   Open from 8 am to 5 pm.

* Bangkok Dusit Zoo

- In Bangkok for a few days with the family and don't know what to do with your little monkeys?  Take them to the zoo!  Bangkok's Dusit Zoo is one of Asia's finest, and provides a fun-filled and inexpensive day out for your family.  The Zoo was established in 1938 on 118 rai (over 46 acres) in the heart of the historic Rattanakosin area of downtown Bnagkok, and is the oldest zoo in Thailand.

     entry fees:  Foreigners - 100 Baht for adults; 50 Baht for children

                        Thais - 50 Baht for adults; 10 Baht for children

     hours:  open every day from 8 am to 6 pm

     add:  71 Rama V Road, Chitrlada Sub-district, Dusit District Bangkok

     getting there:  the easiest way to get to the zoo is by taxi - if the driver doesn't understand             "Dusit   Zoo" just say "Su-an Cow Din", and that should do the trick.  alternatively, the following bus lines go past the zoo: Bus No. 18, 28, 108; Airconditioned Bus No. 528, 515, 539 and 542

Around Bangkok in 3 Days

Normally, exploring a city would take more than a week to fully enjoy the place, the culture and the people.  But for some people who doesn't have the luxury of an extended vacation, a week is already too long.  Here's our sprint in the City of Angels - Bangkok, Thailand.

Bangkok was initially just our 4-hour layover from UAE going to Australia, but since we have a GC bound to expire soon, we decided to use it and spend additional 3 days in the city on our way back to UAE.  Our flight to Bangkok was on a Sunday at 4:00 pm.  I wanted to start our "sprint" with the Chatuchak Market unfortunately the traffic took us almost an hour to reach our hotel so the Sunday market was immediately off the list to visit.

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Bangkok: Foodie's Paradise

Asian food has always been a good motivation to eat out.  And among the Asian cuisines, Thai is always a winner.  A few months back, we were lucky to travel and celebrate three important occasions, my niece's birthday, our initial entry and my birthday.  Our last stop of that entire journey was Bangkok, Thailand.

If it weren't for a free accommodations we wouldn't have considered adding this country in our itinerary.  But since its expiring very soon, decided to do it.  Anyway, another reason to explore a new culture is a good excuse to extend a vacation.

I have been to Bangkok many years ago, with the whole family.  Back then, DIY vacation was not really a thing, so we spent most of our time hopping in and out of vans to visit every tourist attractions of the city.  We did a little exploring on areas near the hotel and the ones my parents were familiar with.  But this trip, my husband and I did most of the adventurous on-the-budget tourists do, DIY.

Maybe I should break down my posts into two.  This post will focus mainly on the food and the next one will be on how to go to places, well not all places in Bangkok just the ones in our itinerary.  So food!

Before leaving for Bangkok, I had to do some mega research on where and what to try in the city.  I'm a huge huge fan of Pad Thai despite it being seafood laden and I'm allergic to it.  Good thing though I can order chicken instead of shrimp.  

Pad Thai vendor

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Remembering Bangkok

Just now, I had a crazy craving for Pad Thai.  I tried cooking one at home and it was far from what ordinary Thai restaurant serves.  This makes me sad.  Then I began daydreaming of boarding the plane and heading to Pad Thai land – Bangkok, Thailand.

Not so long time ago, we visited Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or commonly known as Bangkok.  The city is just like Chinatown of Manila - hot and vibrant at day, wild and exciting at night.  Because I had undergone two surgeries in my lifetime, I have completely forgotten the name of the hotel we stayed at in Pratunam but it serves the best buffet breakfast.  That I will never forget.  It was breakfast overload.  Or was it Singapore?  Never mind.

My parents used to go here to buy stuff like flowers and jewelry, but they didn’t do the tourist-y things.  So that time, it was a first for everyone.  Going around the city is easy.  If you are not yet familiar with their transportation system, you can always count on to their tuk –tuk.  Though they would cost higher than the other public transpo, the thrill of zooming in and out of traffic jam is pretty exciting.  

 We availed of a half day tour to temples and shops in the city and contracted the guide to include in the package a trip to the floating market and the carving center.  The floating market was a bit far from the city center.   What makes the floating market really interesting is the interaction of both local and tourist buyers and sellers.  They actually do the transaction from one boat to another.  It was fun.  My sister bought this wooden toad with a stick inserted on its side.   When you slide the stick along its crooked spine, the froggy sound is produced.  At night, we visited the Phat Pong – the night market of Bangkok, well, sort of.

It was a heaven for the knock-off junkies.  Not that I promote buying pirated stuff, but they look like the real thing.  You can also buy souvenirs in this area.  A warning though, it is not a good idea to bring the kids along on this trip.  This is because, while you stroll from one stall to another buildings that surround the area is blinking with neon lights.  When I say neon lights, it means no other lights but the neon lights from the underwear of the women dancing inside the clubs.  Yes, Phat Pong is also one of the red light districts of this city.

Now back to the topic which started all this reminiscing – food.  I have been to Bangkok but I was not able to sample everything Thai.  Sad, right?  Mostly we ordered Americanized food, but with the Thai twist.  Rice orders will always have a fried egg topped it.  Or red chilli will always be present in any food.  What I love about their street food is their banana fritters or something like that.  We bought this fried banana wrapped in wonton wraps.  It looks and tastes like the turon of my country.  They like to brew tea - anytime and anywhere.  My brother even said while we are walking along one street, “they are weird they cook the vegetable and drink it.”    Hilarious.  That was tea, being brewed Thai style.

Bangkok is definitely the place you would like to come back.  If not for the food, the sights but the authentic beat of the city.