Just got back from one more exhilarating trip to Thailand, this time only limited to the capital city of Bangkok, the thriving, crowded, stylish Thai metropolis! One more, I say, is because I have been here multiple times, the last one being August 2011 and each time, it just gets better!
This one was a quick trip, 4 days to be precise and I was joined by my mum, the more seasoned Bangkok tourist, especially as far as the shopping goes. With mum around, bars and nightlife were out, so were the more adventurous, outdoor sporty kind of touristy things. But still Bangkok always gives us more reasons for excitement and fun!
This time I finally had the time to visit Ayutthaya - the ancient capital city of Thailand, on a day trip, just about 100 kms outside Bangkok. (trivia: There were 2 capitals of erstwhile Siam, original name of Thailand. Ayutthaya is its second capital, the first being - Sukhothai and the third, we all know - Bangkok). The historic city is dotted with stupas or chedis (buddhist temples) paying homage to the Buddha and ancient Thai Kings and is surrounded on three sides by 3 rivers. We also saw the summer palace of the current King of Thailand - Bang Pa In, a majestic European style holiday home with beautiful canals, golden buildings and a museum.
While the ruins of Ayutthaya itself evoke grand pictures of its past glory and grandeur, perhaps incomparable to anything I have seen recently, it was my companions on the trip, I found more interesting. They were rather amused too, I guess, by 2 Indian ladies, one dressed in the traditional salwar kameeze wanting to make this trip.
So here we were, intrepid travellers in an alien country packed in like a can of sardines in a small mini van going to Ayutthaya and starting from the backpackers mecca at Bangkok - Khao San Road!
It was an interesting journey to say the least. Lost of conversations with the Germans and the Japanese and the occassional interjections by the American gentleman on the state of the American economy. One Chilean lady in the next bus was so fascinated by my mum's salwar kameeze, that she took a picture with my mum! It was a great day trip and we made a lot of friends!
The Bangkokians are warm friendly people. They are happy to show off their country and warmly welcome tourists. Yes, they are aware that their ladies are very much in demand by the older foreign gentlemen, but I guess, they feel its a way out of being poor.
Each time I go back, BKK changes a little bit, quite like shifting a bit on its axis.....there is something new, something added, the experience is always different each time. Its a great place to meet people from all over the world! Its also offers a great mix of fun and relaxation, history and modern!
I recomment BKK and Thailand anyday for a fab vacation!
Until next time!...Cheers!
P.S. This post was written over 2 sittings, so I kind of lost track on the way!
This one was a quick trip, 4 days to be precise and I was joined by my mum, the more seasoned Bangkok tourist, especially as far as the shopping goes. With mum around, bars and nightlife were out, so were the more adventurous, outdoor sporty kind of touristy things. But still Bangkok always gives us more reasons for excitement and fun!
This time I finally had the time to visit Ayutthaya - the ancient capital city of Thailand, on a day trip, just about 100 kms outside Bangkok. (trivia: There were 2 capitals of erstwhile Siam, original name of Thailand. Ayutthaya is its second capital, the first being - Sukhothai and the third, we all know - Bangkok). The historic city is dotted with stupas or chedis (buddhist temples) paying homage to the Buddha and ancient Thai Kings and is surrounded on three sides by 3 rivers. We also saw the summer palace of the current King of Thailand - Bang Pa In, a majestic European style holiday home with beautiful canals, golden buildings and a museum.
While the ruins of Ayutthaya itself evoke grand pictures of its past glory and grandeur, perhaps incomparable to anything I have seen recently, it was my companions on the trip, I found more interesting. They were rather amused too, I guess, by 2 Indian ladies, one dressed in the traditional salwar kameeze wanting to make this trip.
So here we were, intrepid travellers in an alien country packed in like a can of sardines in a small mini van going to Ayutthaya and starting from the backpackers mecca at Bangkok - Khao San Road!
- 2 German boys who had never been outside of Europe and rather delighted with the sights and sounds of the Asian countryside,
- a chinese lady and her son, happy to see someone her own age, my mum,
- an American couple, who by their own admission, said that it took 30 hours & multiple flights to reach Thailand
- 3 Japanese ladies, struggling to speak English, yet delighted by my smattering of broken Japanese and the Dad/Mom Japanese tattoos on my wrists
- 1 amorous French couple who couldnt keep their hands off each other!
- And a couple of others, more regular phirang types too!
It was an interesting journey to say the least. Lost of conversations with the Germans and the Japanese and the occassional interjections by the American gentleman on the state of the American economy. One Chilean lady in the next bus was so fascinated by my mum's salwar kameeze, that she took a picture with my mum! It was a great day trip and we made a lot of friends!
The Bangkokians are warm friendly people. They are happy to show off their country and warmly welcome tourists. Yes, they are aware that their ladies are very much in demand by the older foreign gentlemen, but I guess, they feel its a way out of being poor.
Each time I go back, BKK changes a little bit, quite like shifting a bit on its axis.....there is something new, something added, the experience is always different each time. Its a great place to meet people from all over the world! Its also offers a great mix of fun and relaxation, history and modern!
I recomment BKK and Thailand anyday for a fab vacation!
Until next time!...Cheers!
P.S. This post was written over 2 sittings, so I kind of lost track on the way!
