Monday, September 22, 2014

Bangkok - Enough Said!

The Grand Palace
Sin city of Asia, offers a mix of two extremes, dotted with lovely temples by day and post sunset the wild side of the city is on display. Party goers are to be seen all over in their best attire & funky dance moves. Nothing is a sin in this city, by nightfall Soi Cowboy lane is lit up with neon lights, all pubs are full with people sipping their drink, enjoying life & setting aside their worries & living for the moment. Everything is on the menu!


If retail therapy is what you crave for, Bangkok is the place to be. All top brands are available under one roof, The Siam Center. However, if you want to own all these brands at a fraction of their original cost, you can find the replicas right opposite on the numerous stalls setup on the roadside.



Bangkok never seizes to surprise one. Apart from shopping, booze & sex, it is rich in history. The temples with brilliant finesse architecture, stand as a testimony. The Royal Palace, Wat arun, Wat Pho, Emerald Buddha, massage school at Wat Pho are things one should not miss.




Tiger Temple: Park a day aside & visit this controversial place. 150 km from Bangkok is Kanchanburi, founded by a Monk to give refuge to orphaned cubs, this place is now home for over 150 Tigers, cubs & other animals.



Here you can get up close with tigers. From walking tigers, to feeding cubs & watching them play in a pool- you can do it all. To get the most of it make sure you reach by 11 am. Start with walking the tigers to the canyon, get your pics clicked with them & another 1000 Baht will buy you time to feed cubs & see them play. This is a must do!



After spending considerable time with the cubs head to the canyon & 500 baht will put you behind a steel enclosure from where you see the young tigers fight it out & play in a pool. This is a fabulous experience to see the wild cats play. We felt the theory of these tigers being drugged was debunked.


En-route do stop over at World War II cemetery & iconic Bridge On River Kwai. This bridge was built in record time by Prisoners Of War.



If the regular itinerary does not excite you, head to the old city to see the Palace & old temples from Chikri dynasty.

The best area to stay would be Soi 10, you will find hotels to suit every budget. There are several Indian restaurants around, Mrs.Balbir's Restaurant is highly recommended. BTS station is a 2 minute walk.


During our stay in Bangkok we checked into Galleria 10 Hotel great value for money. Only a couple of minutes away from BST station. Hotel offers spacious and clean rooms, great roof top pool, kickass spa, friendly staff and great food.

Bangkok is a tourist hub & could well be a breeding ground for scamsters, popular ones are Precious Gems, & guys claiming Palace or Temples are closed for tourists and recommending Tuk Tuks for city tour.

Bangkok has no beaches to offer, but don't you sweat, hop on car & Pattaya is only a couple of hours away.

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