Blogs from Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand, Asia - page 23

For my second day in Bangkok, I wanted to visit some of the birding sites in the area so I managed to persuade my dad to drive me in the early morning to a place called the Muang Boran fishponds which is an area of semi-farmed land comprised of rotationally drained ponds near the cultural attraction of Muang Boran (Ancient City in Thai). Getting here is difficult, but I found out about this place on thaibirding.com using the directions from there. If you read that you will see that it’s quite complicated but we did manage to get there after going wrong a couple of times and made it there from the other side of Bangkok before 10 AM which isn’t too bad. However when we got to the very last thing described on the instructions ... read more

Geo: 13.7308, 100.521We arrive at Sahaphan Tours office and bus station in Bangkok about 05:00 after an uncomfy journey that saw neither of us get much sleep. We have decided to leave the bus here rather than Mo Chit bus station so that we don't have to go through the scuffles to get a taxi. It is a couple of miles further out but a whole lot easier, especially as we have suitcases with us.Arrive at New Siam to find our room available already and by 05:40 we are stretched out on the bed with coffee and croissants.24hours before flight is due to leave I can usually choose our seats on the plane but getting to the website today the plane is full and there is little option to change the seats we have been allocated. ... read more

Today was an incredible day in Bangkok! We really had a great time and were completely overwhelmed by the beauty and just everything about this country today. We had to wake up early to head for the Royal Palace and we are glad we went early as the temperature really is not that bad in the mornings. By mid-afternoon it is hot, but for the most part it hasn't been that bad. When we got off the bus outside of the palace we were immediately part of a very large crowd of tourists (mostly Chinese) as we all headed to the palace with our tour guides. There were so many people touring the palace it was amazing. It really started to feel like we were in Asia as the crowds were unbelievable. The Royal Palace is ... read more

One Year. Incredible. Fifteen countries. From the deepest jungles of the Amazon River Basin, traversing the highest ranges of the Andes Mountains, swimming the turquoise seas of the Pacific Islands, witnessing the imaginable magic that is New Zealand, hiking in the driest desert of the legendary Outback of Australia, crossing the massive archipelago of Indonesia and coming ashore onto mainland South East Asia, I have made my own way. A few flights, countless buses, my own car, some motorcycles, numerous boats, a couple of trains, and a lot - and I mean A LOT of walking and it still seems like only yesterday I left home. One year ago today I left Denver, my friends, my family, colleagues, my cat. I have been gone for many an event. New family members have been born, dear friends ... read more

The minivan from Cambodia eventually made it to Bangkok and we were dropped off at about 8.30pm somewhere near Pratunam market where the company's office is. We then found ourselves unable to get a taxi prepared to use its meter. The price they wanted, and the tuk tuks too, was about three times what the meter rate would have been. We walked away and eventually found a driver prepared to take just twice the price. Meters in taxis are supposed to be used by law so we were not happy. Less so because the drivers used the excuse "it's busy!" The Retroasis turned out to be a great choice of hotel. Its rooms are all nestled around an inner courtyard with a lovely pool. We felt very happy there. The next day we went to a ... read more