Short Stay in Bangkok

If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, then I apologize for my wacky timeline.  But, today we are going back to Thailand even though my social media feeds are all about Budapest.  I use post it notes and a calendar to schedule my blogs and those Thailand post-it notes have been shuffled around so much they are losing their sticky.  I've already written about our short time in Bangkok (the floating market and lotus farm) so that is where we'll pick up.  This week it's all about Bangkok, Thailand.

What an incredible city.  Matt has spent a lot of time there and loves it.  I can see why after only a short visit.  This was just our jumping off point before traveling on to Yangon and then Koh Samui.  We spent less than 48 hours there and squeezed in as much as we could.   

We stayed in the Aloft Bangkok in Sukhamvit Soi 11, which is a bustling area popular with expats, tourists as well as locals.  There was so much going on, I didn't know where to look. Bars, nightclubs, high-rise hotels and plenty of restaurants. 

Spirit Houses are found everywhere for devotees to leave an offering of incense, food, flowers or candles.  Each one completely unique and special.

 

You can't talk about Bangkok without mentioning the street food.  It is everywhere and everything that you can imagine.  Grilled meats, seafood, sweets, noodles and rice.  Fresh fruits and veggies.  As you walk down the street you can see and smell the most amazing food.  

Of course, the legendary durian fruit was plentiful.  I didn't find the smell offensive at all, but I still wasn't brave enough to try it. We did try several other items and found them all incredibly tasty. 

Being a bit of a picky eater (I'm getting better) this was one area that I really researched.  I didn't want to miss out but I also didn't want to experience any stomach issues.  The web is full of guides and tips for experiencing the street food of Thailand. We followed the guideline of eating in busy areas where locals eat and where the food is turned over quickly. 

We didn't have any problems at all other than trying to decide what to get.  So many choices.  The sights and sounds were a joy.  Fresh, beautiful food, the sizzling of a wok and a knife slicing through fresh fruit and the smells! Oh, I loved this city. 

I have to use a cliche here because it truly was a "feast for the senses" which was the theme of our trip really.  You will also read over and over again about the people of Thailand being so open and friendly.  It's such a warm and welcoming culture. Have I mentioned that I loved Thailand?

The area we stayed was the perfect place to people watch and soak it all in.  It's also well-known for its nightlife.  We've aged beyond the nightclub scene and are usually in bed by 11pm when we travel.  But we did go out for an explore in the evening.  Cowboy Soi was close by and we couldn't resist a quick look.  

This is one of Bangkok's famous red light districts with go-go bars and a few ladyboy bars lining the street.  And lots of neon.  It was certainly interesting.  It was very relaxed and we felt completely safe. 

After a quick stroll through trying not to gawk too much, we were heading back to the hotel and heard the sound of American 80's music.  We couldn't resist going into the Country Road Bar right at the entrance to Cowboy Soi.  Other than the elderly Western men with young Asian girls it was like any other great bar back in Texas... pool tables, cheap drinks and great live music. We had a blast and still managed to get to bed by 11pm. 

I realize that there is no way to experience a city until you've lived there.  But I love to travel and even if I only have 48 hours, I'll take it.  You'll be amazed at what you can see in Bangkok in just 48 hours.  I'll be posting later about our visits to the Golden Buddha, Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha, and the Grand Palace.

Where's your favorite place for good street food?  

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