Grand PalaceI am sure one could spend much more time in Bangkok than the four nights we are spending May 27th through May 31st. However, spending any longer than that in congested,bustling Bangkok in the hot weather, did not sound very appealing to us.Instead, we will be spending the remainder of our two-week vacation in Northern Thailand, where it should be cooler and less crowded(I hope, more on that later).Note: Photos are from Bangkok Tourism official site.
Researching hotel in Bangkok, was fun, never have I seen hotels in the capital for $17 a night. I am still amazed at that! Of course, there are resorts for $600 and $700 a night, for those who can afford and like a splurge. According to my guidebooks, the best of the best is the Oriental Hotel on the legendary Chao Phraya River. But this is not where we will be staying, although we will go take a look.
We will be staying at Phranakorn Nornlen Hotel, winner of Trip Adviser Travelers' Choice Award for 2008. I am not sure how they judge these things, but it does have a lot of great reviews, in a great location, close to the river and for less than $50 a night. I feel very good about this choice.
We will be getting into Bangkok, from Chiang Mai, via Air Asia, at about 1830 on Wednesday May 27th. An hour and ten minutes flight, for $17 a person. This fee also includes a medium bag for up to 20 KG.(about 44 LBS).Bangkok will be the last segment in out trip.
Wat Po,Reclining BuddhaThere are many attractions in Bangkok, with the most famous being the Grand Palace, and Wat Phra Keo( Temple of Emerlad Buddha). Actually there are so many famous Wats(temples) in Bangkok, including Temple of Reclining Buddha(largest in Bangkok), Temple of Dawn, Marble Temple and many others. We will try to visit the ones mentioned above.
In addition to Buddha Temples, I am interested in visiting the National Museum, Vimanmek Mansion,the largest gold teak building in the world, and lastly Jim Thompson's House. Jim Thompson is an American Architect,who settled in Bangkok after WWII, and revived the silk industry. He disappeared while vacationing in Malaysia. His house is full of art and open to visitors, and there is the silk factory on the premises,where one can buy silk products.
Golden MountAnd of course there are the many Bangkok markets and shopping center. Worth mentioning are the famous Patpong Night Market, and Chatuchak Weekend Market(considered by some, the largest in the world:gasp). I am planning on checking them both out.
I am not planning on even looking at restaurants recommendations, because we are jut going to buy food from the stalls all the over the city, or else follow our noses to a local restaurant.
I tried my hand on a Google map for places of interest.
Some fun things I learned about Bangkok:
~It is called the Venice of the East, for its Klongs(canals) and it is called the City of Angels, for its many temples.
~It is the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand.
~The Thai name for Bangkok is Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or Krung Thep( I am practicing saying it, it is a mouth full!)
~ The traditional name of the Bangkok is ‘Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit’. It is listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest name for a place. Can you say that?
~Chao Phraya River is the largest in Thailand, and forms an "S" that separates the different regions in Bangkok.
For now, I think three full days is Bangkok should be enough to get a taste for the city, and visit its famous landmarks. However, I am slightly worried about the weather being too hot for touring. So I do have a backup plan. More on that in a future post.
Oh, I am excited and can't wait!
Seven weeks till Thailand!
Comments (8)
Seven weeks! So exciting. I would love to see some of those Buddhist temples. And I bet the markets will be so much fun!
Posted by Annie | March 24, 2009 7:21 AM
Posted on March 24, 2009 07:21
Candi-Thanks for posting such interesting blogs.
I was asked to chose 5 bloggers for the "Fabulous Blog Award" and I chose your blog. See this link:
http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/cindyruth/2009/03/fabulous_blog_award.html. Thanks for such a great blog.
Posted by Cindy Ruth | March 24, 2009 7:07 PM
Posted on March 24, 2009 19:07
I am excited for you, Candi. This sounds like a wonderful trip.
Posted by sheri | March 24, 2009 7:14 PM
Posted on March 24, 2009 19:14
Wow, Candi -- I'm not sure I've ever seen a hotel get so many rave reviews as the Phranakorn Nornlen! And for less than $50 a night -- remarkable.
Your trip plans sound fantastic, and your map is great. So much to see and do, I'm sure you'll have such a wonderful time. I can't wait to see the photos.
Posted by sandrac | March 24, 2009 7:55 PM
Posted on March 24, 2009 19:55
Wow, $17.00 for air fare. What a deal! It sounds like there will lots of interesting things to keep you busy in Bangkok. I would have also only chosen a few nights there. That leaves more time for elephants and other cool things. Looking forward to reading more about your trip plans.
Posted by girasoli | March 25, 2009 12:15 AM
Posted on March 25, 2009 00:15
Hi Candi, it's so great reading about your trip to Thailand, a country that has been on my short list for a long time. You've researched a lot of wonderful information and I think your google map is fantastic. I'm going to have to come back to your posts on Thailand when I am ready to visit, because you've done such a great job at reseraching all the information.
I can't wait for your trip also and hearing about all your experiences and looking at your photos. Seven weeks will fly by! :)
Thanks for this great post Candi!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | March 25, 2009 7:38 AM
Posted on March 25, 2009 07:38
Your trip plans sound fabulous! There's so much to see that it is hard to pick but your choices of places to see sound perfect.
Posted by María I. | March 25, 2009 9:50 AM
Posted on March 25, 2009 09:50
Annie, I am excited about the temples, I hope I can stay cool inside.
Cindy, thanks. A very sweet thing.
Sheri, I think we will like it. So far, I keep getting even more excited, if that even possible.
Sandra, I know, I am still amazed at the prices.
girasoli, wouldn't be great if inter-island flights were for $17?
Kathy, I'm happy to tell you all about out trip when you are ready to go.
Maria, there is so much to see, so I've kind of picket the highlights for us. I may not even get to all of these, but I am hoping in the hot weather staying inside temples and museums should keep us a little cool, yeah?
Posted by candi | March 25, 2009 4:47 PM
Posted on March 25, 2009 16:47