Sa Wat Di Ka my fellow Steemians. Today I will share with you my amazing experience in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok. Krung Thep Maha Nakhon’s (Bangkok’s Thai name) history dates back to the 15th century, after the fall of Ayutthaya, Thailand’s original capital city. King Phutthayotfa decided to move the city to a more strategic location, by the river in the Provence of Thonburi. Since then the city has transformed into a melting pot of different cultures and unique experiences.
The first time I visited Bangkok I stayed in a hotel called ‘The Aim’, in the upmarket area of Sathon, which is my favourite area to stay in. Just a short walk down the street is my favourite place to get a massage. The massages in Thailand are to die for! I have never had as good as a massage as I have had there anywhere else in the world. They even walk on your back... crack... crack.
The street I stayed in when in Sathorn.
Just a short walk away from where I stayed was Lumpini Park, one of the limited ‘green’ spaces in the city. The unique thing about this park are the large monitor lizards. Unfortunately a week before I arrived they captured the majority of these creatures as they were causing havoc. But the park has a beautiful lake to walk around and has a mini gym. Definitely one of my favourite parts of Bangkok as there are also some beautiful buildings to look at too.
Some pictures that were taken in the park.
Your trip to Bangkok would not be complete without visiting a few temples. A month before I arrived, the Grand Palace closed in respects to the death of the late King, Bhumibol Adulyadej. However the two temples beside this, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) and Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha) were open. I visited these on a tour. Of course, we got stuck in traffic on the way there and back. So those of you who visit I recommend using the BTS (skytrain) or the MRT (underground trains) where possible. Taxis are also great to use but depending on when you go and what time of day it is, they can also be your worst nightmare as you can potentially be stuck in the same spot for 20 minutes.
Wat Phra Kaew, situated just north of the Grand Palace is the most sacred Buddhist Temple in Thailand and houses the Emerald Buddha. What I love most about the temples I visited is the architecture and the vibrant colours used along with its many years of history and relation to the Royal family. Some temples even date back to the 15th century! Wat Pho, which lies just south of the Grand Palace along the major Chao Phraya River houses the reclining Buddha. The reclining of the Buddha interestingly portrays him in his final days when he was ill.
Below are some photos of the temples and their surroundings.
On the last day (of my first Thailand trip) I visited the floating markets. Although you can get most of the products for sale (and at a much cheaper price, even after a little bartering) elsewhere, I enjoyed riding through the villages on the boat as I saw many locals cooking foods and washing their clothes by the river. As this is one of the major attractions of the city, the markets were very busy. I still enjoyed the experience and recommend going if you have the chance. Even if you don’t buy anything.
Some pictures that were taken at the floating markets.
While living in Thailand I managed to visit Bangkok on a few occasions. This time however I tried to stay away from the places where the tourists go, as I much prefer an authentic experience. I decided to get lost in the back streets and I am glad I did as I came across some beautiful places and great street foods. Below are some more pictures from my stay in Bangkok.
