While flipping through the in flight magazine the real surprise came up - the visit coincided with the Songran Festival - the THAI NEW Year. Little bit for the back ground; Songkran is a Thai word which means "move" or "change place" as it is the day when the sun changes its position in the zodiac. It is also known as the "Water Festival" as people believe that water will wash away bad luck. So, before we landed we knew there was somethign exciting to happen on the streets of bangkok and with the 2 cameras = motu's DLSR and my Canon P&S, laptop we knew things could be tricky.
Landed at Swarnabhumi Internaltional Airport
Big and spacious airport and the sheer size of the bangkok city invoked an interesting thought and just after immigration we realized that Thai people ain't that good at Engligh and our benchmark of expectations PHUKET truly was an exception. It was hard to locate the conveyor belt because the displays switched languages between Thai and English and there were far too many flights listed at that hour.
Next, big task was to locate a CAB to travel to hotel and we thought most reliable way to escape the touts and cheat taxi drivers would be to take the AOT Official Taxi. The price quoted was whopping 1350 Bhat !! and when I said thank you the lady replied 1050 Bhat !! - official bargaining without intent. A lesson at the airport itself there is room everywhere for bargaining in Thailand.
Finally we located the Public Taxi and the guy took us to the hotel for around 400 Bhat - genuine metered taxi plus we had to pay for the TOLL and all. Highways are impressive though Singapore standards are too high to meet.
Center Hotel, Bangkok
At SGD300 for 5 nights and buffet American breakfast any hotel would be good enough but for the scorching heat of Bangkok at least air-conditioner must cool the room and precisely that's what didn't happen and I couldn't sleep for the night; even after repair and next morning first option was to move to 6008 from 6003.
There after at least the hotel was not a problem and proximity to Hua Lampong MRT and Chinatown (Yaorawat) both proved to be good.
First shopping - must buy multi lingual 99 Bhat Bangkok City Map - first time in my life we followed the MAP all the way around and it was fun.
First Dinner - Hong Kong Noodle - four servings required for the appetite of two Indians - do we eat that much - I don't think so.
Day Two: Shopping Malls - mission buy sandals and see bangkok first hand
Guided with the Map - we took the streets to head for the Bangkok sight seeing - the Lost Traveler(Copyrighted 2008) Way and managed to walk through streets to reach the markets. Bangkok traffic reminded us of India but people in India understand more English for sure but hospitality and service is the strength of Thai People. One gentleman drove us to our destination just because we asked him for directions in his Mercedes - and all I could convey was - am tourist first time in Bangkok and he said "Welcome to Bangkok".
Tokyu - Siam Paragon - Discovery - Zen - Isetan -Central and many more malls- these are all cuddled together in the main shopping area of Bangkok - all from Designer stuff to luxury cars like Lotus, Maseratti, BMW. Spyker and what not - you have moolah spend it here - I just bought my Sandals for 1450 Bhat from Central. Interesting to see VAT refund and special discounts for foreigners - looks like people spend more on holiday mood because the process are almost the same as in other countries for these branded - designer stuff.
Lunch Out - KFC (Never try that in Thailand - Mirinda tastes like cough syrup !!). They also serve rice here in KFC like Malysia
Dessert - "Mango Bar" - combo of Mango Pudding, Ice cream and Fresh Mango
First Thai Massage - Well the SPA was awesome just cross the street and they have there operations in the Airport as well - for 1 hr only 300 Bhat - so relaxing that I slept while the reflexologist treated my tired feet. It must have been entertaining while a young guy snored amongst at least 10 people while a lady massaged his feet. I swear that really relaxes.
Taxi Ride - Quote from Bhat 2000 -100-80-70-60 - still not sure if we overpaid !! Taxi guys are not all very honest in Bangkok - be prepared for them.
China Town(Yaorawat)
Another walk from hotel - another body massage - a struggle for food - I don't know what -CHANG BEER with some Chinese sausage (mom says no to pork and beef has to be avoided) and rice. Chinatown is an interesting place to see in any city; I guess after seeing many of them now. Being in Singapore they kind of feel like related now. And the masseuse was an old lady - really good and cost only Bhat 300. Awesome way to end a day with a walk to hotel and sleep - Thank God the air-con was working !!
Day Three - Bangkok The Old City
Tuk Tuk - auto's travel in Bangkok everywhere and they will quote anything !!!
Beware of them and there offerings of Massage means Lady Massage with Happy Ending - so don't get trapped !! Walked all the way to experience the Bangkok alternate route - the river. Fast and really exciting way to travel. Very popular and integral part of the cities supply chain and commuting network.
Destination - "Thang Chang" - thang means pier just like "Thanon" means road.
We walked to the nearest pier and took the 15 Bhat express ride to Thang Chang to visit the Grand Palace.
Beware of the auto drivers claims - palace is closed let's go here and there which are open and exhibitions and blah blah - they are paid by exhibitors with petrol vouchers when they bring tourists in for exhibitions and factories. Trusted people are police men - though they rarely speak English and the information counters.
The great walk to the palace - Emerald Buddha and Wat Phao - all are better described with the pictures and the sweat because of the heat. Just one word - it's magnificent and the blue skies with white clouds give the impression of everything into gold like from a fantasy comic tale or an animation movie.
Millions of words will be spoken by the pictures soon.
Lunch at Chinese Restaurant - Tom Yum Soup - Shrimps replaced with Chicken, Omelette and Fried Chicken with Basil Leaves and Pepsi served in glass bottled with straws instead of CANS !
Our auto driver ditched us in one of the Wat's without telling us and claiming Bhat 40 but we later on realized he made money over the two exhibitions we visited and hence didn't care. Thus ended our only Tuk Tuk ride and by the way BEWARE of the SECURITY guys in almost all places they have ties with these AUTO GUYS !!
This paved way for the great walk across the RAMA IV statue to all the way to Khao San Road. Bangkok's interesting places are coincidently all red light districts - and the streets all packed with people - pubs, street food stalls, used stuff (thanks to budget backpackers) - fake T-shirts accessories and what not. Bargain it works well - walk grab a beer spend some time, watch the crowd.
Tank Full - petrol bunk converted into an open air restaurant and pub - fairly silent and no-nonsense pricing. Though I decided to be on Beer and Onion Rings diet rather than indulging in the curries and spice.
Drive Home - Tuk Tuk to Hua Lampong - 40 Bhat after negotiating with 2 drivers from 100 bhat to 80 to 60. It was a fun ride though - they drive like nuts in bangkok and interestingly the braking tail light are inside the TUK TUK for drivers behind to see - interesting !!
To be continued - Tales of Sukhumvit and Silom and the Water Festival
No comments:
Post a Comment