Blogs from Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand, Asia - page 717

I was quite fortunate to meet Michael from Germany in the bus line up from Bankok airport. Sometimes arriving in a new city can be a confusing start, so it was a relief to traipse the areas near KoSan Road looking for accomodation with somebody elses' input as well. The last thing I expected was to share a room with him, but when a twin works out cheaper than a single-why not? We started the next day jumping on board a ferry up the Chao Phraya River towards ChinaTown. Walking into the maze of market traders was a loud and smelly experience that for some strange reason is a feature within Bankok. Why do we love it so? It's certainly not home and that's a big plus, but I suppose it's just a shopping haven. Yes, ... read more

I have had enough. I couldn't take it any longer..the noise, the heat, and the stink of Khao San. Of the 3 nights I stayed there I only slept a handful of winks. People were constantly banging around, slamming doors, cursing loudly in the concrete hallways at 4 am. I was tired of the whole environment. My room was stuffy with bad lighting and I was getting fed up with the way people seemed to consciously ignore one another in the lounges and bathrooms. So, I woke up early, re-packed my bag and walked about half a mile out of the whole area. Things weren't looking too promising on the road I was on until I got to a faded old sign saying 'Villa Guesthouse' leading to a long alleyway. I walked up to the door ... read more

Wats are absolutely gorgeous. They, along with many things in Thailand, are very ornate. The chedi and pillars can be really breathtaking, like those at Wat Arun. The colours can be magnificent, including gold, such as at Wat Phra, at the Golden Palace. And, as always, the Buddha statues are fascinating too. I will, like with many of the great things I've been to, just let the photos speak for themselves. And just so you know, other great Wat photos can be found in other posts - including the ones: Grand Palace Wat Po etc with Dan What's a wat Chinatown... read more

Before leaving Bangkok and Thailand altogether, here is a few other places I've been over the last few days that I haven't posted with the Wats, Chinatown, Grand Palace, etc. The Swing I've lost my notes on this place! And it's not in my Lonely Planet - I'd found it somewhere else. So I'll check later and edit this, but it'll be long after you've read it sorry. Anyway, the swing is lovely. As you may be able to see if you look closely, its also home to some lovely birds at its base. The Swing is opposite Wat Suthat, which I already put photos of in the posting on many Wats in Bangkok - its the one that has those Buddha stutues, that are actually memorials to the deceased. Wat Suthat also proudly states that ... read more

Nach dem langen Flug mit einem Zwischenstop in Abu Dhabi bin ich endlich am Abend in Bangkok angekommen. Der Bus Nr. 2 hat mich anschliessend in die Khao Sun Road gebracht. Dort angekommen war ich erstmals ueberschwemmt von den Menschenmassen und der Party. In einer etwas ruhigeren Ecke ein wenig ab von der Khao Sun Road habe ich dann meine Unterkunft mit nem riesigen Bett, einer Klima und einem eigenem Bad fuer die naechsten vier Naechte gefunden. Am naechsten Tag: erstmal eine Shopping Tour starten. Brauchte ja noch ner Sonnenbrille bei dem Sonnenschein. Nach der kurzen Shopping Tour gings dann mit dem Boot richtung ChinaTown wo ich den rest des ersten Tages verbracht habe. Voellig erschoeft vom Tag und ein wenig fasziniert von dem doch etwas anderem Leben hier bin ich dann ins Bett gefallen. Am ... read more