Rush decision to Bangkok

My dream elephant ride

Someone told me before not to trust yourself to make decisions after midnight. 

One midnight I was browsing the web and (surprised and smiled) found myself booking a flight to Bangkok for my four days off in the month after seeing a great deal in Air Asia website. It was a cheap deal anyway, I reasoned. So I started my planning. This is my first ever trip alone to a place I never been to and with no one I know (but later was blessed with the gift of connection, which I will explain later). Where to go and what to do? Well, I was so sure that on the top of my list of "what to do' is riding an elephant. Call me silly or maybe crazy yet that's one of my dreams (from my million of dreams).

Accomplished Plan

So, on a Thursday evening, I flew to Bangkok after my work. I always love flying at night time. It saves time. I arrived in Bangkok at around 1100 pm (BKK Time) and headed my way to the hostel. I have booked through www.hostelworld.com. The name of the hostel is We Bangkok. The city train was already closed by the time I arrived in the main station, so I was forced to use up some of my 'Emergency' budget to take a cab going to the hostel. Thirty minutes later, I found myself infront of a narrow tall building, with a sign which reads "WeBangkok" in the entrance.Plus an interesting sign board on the side which says, Free hug for girls.

The River Route

I checked in and to my surprise the receptionist called me my name even without me telling her (Well, I guess I'm the late guest). She showed me my room which was on the 2nd floor and I was given the top bed, one among the 8 beds inside the room. I called it a day and rested. I was tired. Webangkok hostel is a hostel I can recommend to travelers. It is a clean hostel with great friendly and accommodating staff. The rooms are big and the beds are comfortable. There is 24 hours convenience store infront that sells all kinds of staff even meals to eat.

Why Bangkok is lovable

First day in Bangkok! Excited with extreme rushing adrenaline on my body! I woke up early (the eariest in the room). Took a shower with their not-so-good-smell shower (I mean, the water smells like Chlorine or something). Then, went out to begin my day 1. One good thing in Bangkok, which I learned to love and adore, is the fact that most of the tourist places are just so accessible and will only take you to buy one single transportation ticket to see everything. I arrived early in Central Pier but was not upset of waiting, since I was so delighted with the street foods around (which by the way, one of my smallest happiness). From one food to another(I was guilty inside, by the way for my nonstop eating adventure). One stall to another. God, Bangkok is giving me good reasons to love the place! Then it was time to buy the One day tourist pass for the Chao Phaya River & Khlong transportation, which cost only 150BATT. The one day pass ticket is good for the whole day and can be use like a hop in hot out kind. There are a  a lot of stops to do in this boat ride. First stop was the famous Grand Palace.

 

 

The Grand Palace

My River boat ride

Tuk Tuk, the famous taxi in Bangkok

I was aware that there are different ways to see the tourist places yet I personally have chosen this way. It was so convenient to take the River boat to see the famous places of Bangkok since the boat stop in different districts, where all these tourist places are located. Plus the ticket comes with a Map of all the stops and the attractions you can see in each stop. So basically, you don't need to have an initial plan when you decide to take the boat. Plus, taking the boat is so relaxing, you can see some good scenery around the famous Chao Phaya River. Second stop was Wat Arun.

 
The rest of the afternoon was spent walking around, taking the river boat, seeing more temples and Wats, knowing the history of each place, eating and seeing Bangkok.

Second day was about eating... eating... eating!!! (And again, I am damn guilty!). I challenged myself to find my way to the famous floating market of Bangkok. Took the 1 hour bus to Taling Floating Market, which cost 5 BAHT from one of the famous mall, which I could't remember the name anymore. I arrived just in time to hear my stomach crying for food. Yum Yum!!!!

The road less traveled

yummy fish for 150 BATT

One of the vendors in Taling Floating Market

Third day came. It's Saturday, the day of the famous weekend market in Bangkok. Before going there, I dropped by Erawan Shrine and prayed to the Gods. Thanking them for my countless blessings. The whole afternoon was spent shopping in the weekend market they call the JJ market. I had fun bargaining by the way. I have to say, I was impressed of how cheap things can be in that place.

Erawan Shrine

 Of course, never leave a place without tasting it's night life.. My cousin was so nice to set up my meeting with Caroline, the sister of her friend who is working in Bangkok. I met Caroline in one of the malls nearby, had a nice authentic Thai dinner. We were both tired and almost called the day off. Luckily we didn't and found ourselves in the bar called Long Table, which is a nice bar to go by the way. With its over looking scenery, you can enjoy seeing the city of Bangkok at night. Our night ended in this salsa bar just nearby, which I found fun. I met some of Caroline's friends and even learned how to dance a bit of salsa. (Somehow, wishing that I took my dance class in high school seriously enough not to make a fool out of my self in that dance floor that night)

My night with Caroline started with a yummy dinner

Drunk and tired, I went home by 3:00 in the morning and wake up by 6:00 am for my long day to Kanchanburi, a province in Thailand. Still restless when I think of that day, here's some of my photos in the known War Zone of Bangkok (During the Vietnamese War).

Meet my new friend Kukuro from Japan. This bridge is the famous Death Railway of Thailand 

Inside the Railway Train 

Days came so fast, then it was time to say goodbye to Bangkok. In deed, a very nice city to visit, especially if you are into shopping and architectures. Good bye Bangkok... Now, what's up next?!??!