It was a long awaited break for four of us.With some last minute ambiguities our papers for
Thailand Trip are all ready
.We are finally going to Thailand!!!
Travel Destination : Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Krabi
Travel Time : December 2016
Number of Travelers : 4
Hotel : Klassique Sukhumvit
We were not very sure on this trip when one of us initiated about the idea of going to Thailand.None were doubtful of time availability but, the other personal issues.When we were still deciding whether to have this trip in 2016 or to postpone,all of sudden,all the 4 says,"Lets Go!",,,Thats it! Flights and Hotels are booked.What to do in Thailand wasn't planned fully though.Everyone has a Go To List,which we thought of consolidating after coming to a consensus.
In this post,I am going to mention our experiences in Bangkok.while
Chiang Mai and
Krabi posts are not to be missed,do click on the links to know more.
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| Christmas time in Siam Paragon |
What did we do in Bangkok :
- Siam Paragon mall
- Temple of Emarald Buddha - Wat Phra Kaew
- Grand Palace
- Sealife Ocean World (Sealife Aquarium)
- Madame Tussads
- Tuk Tuk
- Rent - A - Taxi
- Explore vegetarian restaurants
We had 3 full days in Bangkok but were so excited that we couldn't move from one place so couldn't cover many places .Grand Palace,Sealife Aquarium and Siam Paragon mall are the few where we have spent lot of time and at the end of 3rd day we realized time is running fast.Anyhow,spent time in Bangkok with great joy and fun.
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| Christmas trees in Siam |
From the time we landed in Bangkok airport till getting back to India from Krabi ,we relied upon Thai Rent A Car.We were insisting not to take a Rent Car but use Uber in all the 9 day trip.But our friend assured he will manage driving once he gets used to the new roads and new rules in this country after driving for 2 -3 hours.We were also concerned he would get tired driving all the day.But thanks to our friend,hiring a rent car has given us much flexibility to roam around.
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| King Bhumibol Adulyadej |
First day of our Thailand trip,first visit in Bangkok was the Siam Paragon mall.We were not in hurry to cover all the places but wanted to explore so took Uber the first day to Siam mall.Soon as we entered ,we understood its the
third biggest mall in Bangkok.Not just shopping,but various food courts,Ocean world,Wax museum are inside the mall area which connects many blocks.Since its December,We could see the
alluring Christmas tree decorated with lights inside fountains and all over wide area.Such a ravishing picture will always be in my memory.I loved a spot in Siam mall outside Mercedes Benz Showroom.The surrounding was displayed beautifully,I especially loved the white tree decorated outside the benz building, perfect to my mindset.
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| White tree |
King Bhumibol the great,(King Bhumibol Adyuldej) who was the ninth monarch of Thailand,had died in October, two months before our visit.He is considered as the longest reigned monarch in Thai's History,ruling for 70 years.The whole kingdom was in mourning for their Late King ,
Rama IX (King Bhumibol Adyuldej).Wherever we went,on the roads,in malls,markets,temples,people paid respects to him ,we get to see videos everywhere on how the King served his people so many years and how the people respected him and prayed for his well being.
I,for a moment thought how it is being ruled by a King Vs Ministers and Presidents!?
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| Monastery in thailand |
Uber experience in Thailand :
So,taking Uber rides all over India and other countries ,by far,is comfortable and affordable way,if you don;t have a personal car.We took Uber rides 2 days in Bangkok and later dependent on our rented taxi.Prices also are not much different and affordable in Thai;and too like in India.The only difficulty being English accent of drivers.Communicating with them explaining our pickup point has become bit a problem as they weren't understanding proper english and we don't speak Thai(Siamese language).
All over Bangkok is a public transport,a share auto ride called TUK TUK.We took tuk tuk ride 😝😝 ,felt its bit over charged but just wanted to have experience atleast once.
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| Wat Phraw Kaew |
We took Uber ride to Grand Palace on the Day 2 of our Bangkok trip.Road outside The Palace is kingly.Palace is made of many buildings,spread across a large area.The Palace plan looked very complex,so beautiful,obviously,how does a palace of 200 years history with developments from Rama I ,till date (Rama IX),look ,if not royal?It took 2 hours atleast to see the whole palace.
Temple of Emarald Buddha is one among many buildings in palace.
Temple architecture in Thailand is famous.Every building,dome,stupa,pillar,buddha is majestic.After coming out of the palace, we had rushed to subway for filling our tummies,when we saw many people dressed in black doing some kind of silent procession,forming a line.We realized they were paying respects for their Late King ,mourning for him.The volunteers kept guiding all the tourists and for any need.Keeping it clear,they show us map of bangkok and explain where we were standing and how to go to any place we had planned.Such big was the palace that everyone surely needed that map even to roam around inside and get directions outside.
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| Wat Phra Kaew |
After the Grand palace ,our day 3 was splendidly spent in Sealife aquarium and Madamme Tussads which is wax museum.I had not explored or read about Sealife Bangkok Ocean World before.Bu the entrance to Aquarium itself was very attractive and my I forgot the people around me,started having lots of fun like a kid.When the
first look of Aquarium is so elegant ,how could you resist from not being energetic.
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| Sealife Aquarium |
There are variety of fish and this one is the one of the top tourist attractions in Bangkok.
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| Sealife Aquarium |
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| Aquarium in Bangkok |
With fun filled time at Sealife Aquarium,time to hit Madame Tussads!I have been to wax museums in India but none can be compared to Madame Tussads.This is is really amazing.We have even missed a 4D show to spend extra time here.It is appreciable to see how naturally the statues are made.
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| Madame Tussads |
None of us cared to look at our watches when in aquarium and madame tussads.Such entertaining was both the places.We took exit from Madame tussads and that's ne of the buildings in Siam Centre,where we see a big screen with King Bhumibol's 3D motion graphic on it.There is not a single place where he is not remembered by his people.
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| King's graphic in Siam |
