I hardly know where to begin in describing Bangkok. It's a bustling and vibrant urban center, a mix of old and new, with the dirty, gritty and run-down squeezed in next to the luxe and modern. In three days I have taken all forms of public transportation: the SkyTrain, the subway, and the public ferry, I have argued with a taxi driver about using the meter (common attempt to scam tourists), I survived a crazy tuk-tuk ride, coming within inches of a pack of scooters while making a turn, and have improved my street-crossing skills (no small feat). I have had coffee in the luxurious Erawan Tea Room, eaten street food for breakfast, had lunch at Chote Chitr, noted in my book of 500 best food destinations in the world, was given a personal tour of Chinatown, tasting along the way, and sipped cocktails 50 floors above the street overlooking Bangkok at night. I've seen temples and buddhas, some beautiful, some over-the-top gaudy. I've visited the impressive Grand Palace and the elegant teak Jim Thompson House. I've got one more dinner here and about three different places that have been recommended to me by people whose culinary tastes I trust — may have to squeeze one more in on my way back through at the end of next week.
I'm having some technical issues getting my photos up as quickly as I'd like, so you'll just have to wait, I'm afraid. There's so much to take in that I feel like my pictures can hardly do it justice. I truly adore it here so far. Next stop is Chiang Mai, which will be quite different, or so I'm told. Looking forward to it!
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Where did you get cocktails? I have been told to go to some places, but I always forget where…
Where did you get cocktails? I have been told to go to some places, but I always forget where…
We went for fancy-pants cocktails: one night at Vertigo in the Banyan Tree Hotel and the other at SkyBar and Distil in the State Tower.
We went for fancy-pants cocktails: one night at Vertigo in the Banyan Tree Hotel and the other at SkyBar and Distil in the State Tower.
Good for you standing up to those Bangkok taxi drivers … I enjoyed reading your blog. Thank you!
Good for you standing up to those Bangkok taxi drivers … I enjoyed reading your blog. Thank you!