Its an evening flight departing from Malaysia to Bangkok. We reached there around 8pm and the airport was congested. From the arriving gate to the baggage claim walk was 15 minutes plus. I guess it's because I flew with a budget airline. As I remembered the day when I drop by Bangkok on the way flying to United States, I don't need to walk so far away to reach the customs. The customs were packed with people, so after passing through and claiming our baggage, it's already around 8:30pm.
When we walked out to the arriving hall, quickly we bought a local SIM card for our mobile phones in case of emergency and calling back home. It's only 130 baht for the basic calling package I think. I forgot the exact price but it's very affordable and good enough for a normal mobile phone user like me (who ONLY make calls and SMSes)
So we quickly go to the train station. Its an Airport Railway Link to the city train stations. Similar to our KLIA Express train, all the train services is fast, user friendly and convenient. When we reached the main station in the city, we took a transit train to another station which is nearby our hostel.
The hostel we stayed in was recommended by my colleague's friend. Its called WE Bangkok. The hostel is quite easy to access, and the service was not bad. Although we got lost for a while, but we still manage to explore through the small allies and reached there safe and sound. The allies were extremely quiet at night and there were only a pack of stray dogs laying around on the roads. From Chong Non Si station to the hostel is only 10 minutes distance by walking. But I can't imagine if I was traveling alone during that hour.
The environment of the hostel is clean and comfy. Very suitable for backpackers or travelers who has a limited traveling budget. We chose the 8 bed dorm and per night was only 310 baht which is RM31.00 only.
Travelers staying in the hotel were friendly. People that I talked to were from Japan, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Germany, US, England, Austria, Ireland. That's a lot right?! So happy to meet these people, even though it's just a short chat, but at least I know there are different kinds of people in the world who are holding the same dream and passion as me.
After settling down, we went out for supper. To Silom street from the hostel is not far away. Walking distance is only 15 minutes. The street is very happening where you can absolutely feel the night is still young as it's one of the busiest streets in Bangkok. There was a street of market stalls selling a range of clothes, decorations, jewelries, accessories and also pornography and sex toys along the street, there were also convenient stores and cafes. Between blocks of shop houses, there were pubs, massage parlour and bars where you can enjoy the night. As my colleague has a weak tummy, and food poisoning is quite popular around my friends' experience, therefore we do not wanna simply buy food from the hawkers. We went in to a noodle shop where they serve all kinds of noodles cooked in different styles. Not bad, delicious and we went there continuously for 3 times when we were lazy to figure out where to fill our tummy.
Day 1 - Luxurious Shopping Day
We went to the central area to feel the classy, posh vibes from the exclusive shopping malls around. Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Central World, MBK, Platinum Fashion Mall are all very near to each other and you can get everything over here. If you are looking for high end or high street branded stuff, Siam Paragon & Central World have loads of prominent brands from all around the world. Gucci, LV, Chanel, Burberry, Cath Kidston, Loewe, Vivienne Westwood, Zara, Ben Sherman, of course Topshop Topman!!! and more...
MBK and Platinum Fashion Mall is a bomb!! Fashionistas who wants affordable fashion pieces and create your unique outfit that shouts out your personality, you can go there and find it on your own. A lot of Blogshops also get their source of goods from these places. They have wholesale price and the more you purchase, the cheaper you get. Quality wise, it's not that bad either. Girls beware, Let me tell you. A day is seriously NOT ENOUGH! We start off the day with a relaxing American breakfast at After You Cafe, then shopping and back to the hostel at night.
Day 2 - Weekend Market Day
Chatuchak Weekend Market is a very famous weekend market that a lot of travelers mentioned of. I was stunned when I stood on the pedestrian bridge and looked down to the market. Its like rows of longhouses that we see in Sarawak and there are so many of them! I really do not know where should I start my shopping JOURNEY. Yes literally! Our start of the Journey for the day was a quick meal in a small store that serves authentic Thai dishes. Yummy! I had fried papaya and mango salad. So appetizing and refreshing in a hot afternoon. Then start off from a lot of house deco, to clothes, bags and shoes, and then clothes, bags and shoes, and then more clothes, more bags and more shoes, and clothes, bags and shoes, and then clothes. bags and shoes again. Haha! Anyway, its a great place to get cheap stuff as well. What I love most was a street that sells local fashion designers' merchandise. Its a very hippy, very young and fashionable street. I found most of my treasures there!!
Day 3 - Chilling Day!
Well, its a Sunday anyway, So, we haven't figured out what to do for the day, but chilling in the hostel for half of the day. Then we went to Lumpini Park around afternoon. Breathe some fresh air, Hug a tree and feed some fishes in the pond. We went for a massage at night and end the day comfortably! =)
Day 4 - Be a Tourist Day!
We visited temples and mostly tourist attractions for today. We went to the Grand Palace, then some temples afterthat. We traveled by the river taxi today and it's 150 baht for the whole day. We visited the The Reclining Buddha and Temple of Dawn. Sitting at the Buddha hall was peaceful and serene. I climbed up on top of the Temple of Dawn. The steep stairs were very very scary for a height-phobic person like me! But I made it! YAY! The river taxi was a different experience. But remember do not go the wrong way and always wait for the boat that goes to the direction you are going. The funniest part for the day was we bought a pair of slouchy trousers for ourselves and act like a tourist. Although we ARE a tourist but then, I always admired all the ang-mohs looked so good when they were in those trousers. I bought a elephant printed one. Haha! It's cute and I also found my coconut ice-cream served in a coconut shell! Awww! Delighted!
Day 5 - Pattaya Trip
Today we ordered a day trip in the hostel and join the Pattaya Day Trip. Beaches are my all time favourite places to visit! So we woke up early in the morning and reached there around 11am. We took a boat to the Coral Island and stayed there until 3pm. We also visited a Gem Discovery Centre to see how the gem industry works and how they produce them. Ahhh~ I just love the sun and sea! There were lots of tourists as well. So packed!
Day 6 - Last shopping day
I went out alone and get all the stuff that I planned to buy while I was surveying few days before. So I went back to the central area and did my last shopping. Seriously, I spent quite a big sum of money on shopping already and I was struggling alone when making choices! OMGGGG~~~ It is very fun to walk alone as you do not need to care anyone else but only yourself. When I am hungry I eat, when I feel like shopping, I walked non-stop, when I feel like resting, I sit down, when I feel like going home, I go ahead. Freedom and privacy is always my top priority in life. Sigh, I should just be alone forever! Haha!
So on the way back to the hostel, I discovered a small street and before I walked in, I swore I will not come out with an additional shopping bag. But sadly, I broke the promise. I bought another pair of shoes. DARN!
Bangkok, is tourist friendly, is irresistible, is sinful, is colourful. Thailand is a third world country same as us. We are all still on the way developing and I feel Bangkok has more freedom than us. Thailand had changed a lot and I was afraid to visit initially as I worried of the communication barriers but I was totally wrong. As a tourist place like Bangkok, almost everyone knows how to speak English and I do not have any problems at all. In the market, there are even people that speaks mandarin.
For fun and shopping, I will definitely visit again! Bangkok, you made me feel beautiful!
