Today was a whirlwind adventure...
Just the way I like it!
Bangkok has been amazing. We've been staying in an area called Banglamphu. I recommend it...pretty touristy, but cheap enough, central (to the big sites) and full of energy... easy to find a place to stay if you don't have one yet, too.
We started the day by wandering through a garden close to our hotel (part of a temple, actually) and discovered that we are situated close to the water, main streets and big attractions. We stopped at an internet place for lunch which turned out to be an Israeli center (israelis get a big lump sum after their 3 years in the military service so a lot of people travel with it and this is a big destination). the people were super friendly and we got pretty cheap, but reliable, bus tickets to go south for new years. we were going to walk to the royal palace, but ended up just taking a tuk tuk (pretty much a cart motorbike - reminds me of a modern day rickshaw, but very common and an extremely effecient mode of transportation) to see two big buddah sites the driver recommended. the driver tried to make us go to a local store with him, too (where he undoubtedly would get commision for our visit) and do a boat tour to the floating market (which was expensive by American standards), but we finally got him to take us to the taxi boat site. The water is really polluted, but it was really beautiful riding the big, open barge as we passed long boats (banana-shaped) and enjoyed the scenic backdrop of the temples and waterfront businesses.
When we reached the temple we wanted to see, it was closing, but we did get to see Wat Po with HUGE golden budda statue and georgous surrounding area. Wandered around looking for bank, before realizing most of the exchange places are in backpackers alley (where we are staying) so we headed that way, shopped for a bit and went for our first massage.
I got a manicure, pedicure and Swedish (oil) massage. They were SO cheap! The woman doing the message literally hopped on my back, and at one point wrapped herself around my body so she could twist me, but I am so relaxed, I am almost a little shocked I have the capacity to type.
Excellent day and very relaxing way to cap it off.
We're heading south to an island called Ko Samui tomorrow. I guess they do have a train system, but it is slower than the bus, and apparently less comfortable yet more expensive. Needless to say, we are taking the bus. We leave at 6pm and arrive at 10am (after a boat ride as well) and I don't know exactly what the situation will be once we get there but I am sure there will be tourist places with internet and stuff abound. Checking out the big sites here tomorrow; more soon!
Bangkok has been amazing. We've been staying in an area called Banglamphu. I recommend it...pretty touristy, but cheap enough, central (to the big sites) and full of energy... easy to find a place to stay if you don't have one yet, too.
We started the day by wandering through a garden close to our hotel (part of a temple, actually) and discovered that we are situated close to the water, main streets and big attractions. We stopped at an internet place for lunch which turned out to be an Israeli center (israelis get a big lump sum after their 3 years in the military service so a lot of people travel with it and this is a big destination). the people were super friendly and we got pretty cheap, but reliable, bus tickets to go south for new years. we were going to walk to the royal palace, but ended up just taking a tuk tuk (pretty much a cart motorbike - reminds me of a modern day rickshaw, but very common and an extremely effecient mode of transportation) to see two big buddah sites the driver recommended. the driver tried to make us go to a local store with him, too (where he undoubtedly would get commision for our visit) and do a boat tour to the floating market (which was expensive by American standards), but we finally got him to take us to the taxi boat site. The water is really polluted, but it was really beautiful riding the big, open barge as we passed long boats (banana-shaped) and enjoyed the scenic backdrop of the temples and waterfront businesses.
When we reached the temple we wanted to see, it was closing, but we did get to see Wat Po with HUGE golden budda statue and georgous surrounding area. Wandered around looking for bank, before realizing most of the exchange places are in backpackers alley (where we are staying) so we headed that way, shopped for a bit and went for our first massage.
I got a manicure, pedicure and Swedish (oil) massage. They were SO cheap! The woman doing the message literally hopped on my back, and at one point wrapped herself around my body so she could twist me, but I am so relaxed, I am almost a little shocked I have the capacity to type.
Excellent day and very relaxing way to cap it off.
We're heading south to an island called Ko Samui tomorrow. I guess they do have a train system, but it is slower than the bus, and apparently less comfortable yet more expensive. Needless to say, we are taking the bus. We leave at 6pm and arrive at 10am (after a boat ride as well) and I don't know exactly what the situation will be once we get there but I am sure there will be tourist places with internet and stuff abound. Checking out the big sites here tomorrow; more soon!
posted by Brenda Ann Elizabeth McKinney @ 7:49 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home