Surviving Bangkok
After writing a postal service called "Surviving Marrakech", I though it would hold upwards fun to write "Surviving Bangkok". As a affair of fact, for many travellers the upper-case missive of the alphabet of Thailand is the showtime come across alongside Asia, in addition to for this argue it tin hold upwards a chip intimidating. I must confess that when I showtime arrived inward Bangkok from Europe I didn't know just what to await in addition to I had entirely a vague idea of how to navigate it.
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| The Grand Palace inward Bangkok |
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| Chinatown, Bangkok |
One of the fist things I noticed most Bangkok is that it has a traffic problem. Luckily, Blue Planet carry helped me, inward item the BTS Skytrain, an elevated metropolitan prepare that is slowly to exercise in addition to also rather inexpensive (fares start at xv baht, 0,38€). Unfortunately, this does non accomplish all parts of the city. On the 24-hour interval that I wanted to catch the Grand Palace in addition to the temples nearby, I was advised past times the staff at my hostel to conduct maintain a boat. This revealed to hold upwards a rather adventurous in addition to rattling inexpensive trip on a depression motorized boat alongside a lady that walked barefoot on the wooden rim of the boat to collect tickets.
Another dandy means of getting or hence the metropolis is by taxi, fifty-fifty though every bit I mentioned you lot tin acquire stuck inward trafic. I ordinarily essay to avoid taxis, but inward Bangkok they run on the meter in addition to they are pretty inexpensive (typically less than 100 baht, 2,5€). The entirely house where I've seen that they turn down to exercise the metre is or hence the Grand Palace, because it is the most touristic house inward the metropolis in addition to taxi drivers know they tin brand to a greater extent than coin past times agreeing a price. If a taxi does not want to take you lot on the metre, in addition to hence flag some other 1 or walk a lilliputian further.
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| A taxi close Chatuchak weekend market |
In Bangkok it is tiring to walk from house to house because of the hot humid weather, in addition to it tin take forever to accomplish your destination on foot. It is soundless interesting to essay it once, if it's non every bit good hot. I decided to do purpose of my journeying dorsum from the Grand Palace on foot, in addition to I was rewarded alongside some interesting sights of Bangkok daily life, like these people playing checkers on the sidewalk.
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| Playing checkers on the street |
Bangkok is a prophylactic city, if compared to whatsoever European metropolis similar London or Paris. Moreover, locals don't bother tourists that much, in addition to the entirely scams I've seen are actually harmless. The most mutual cannot fifty-fifty hold upwards called scam in addition to I recognized it immediately, but I was alongside 2 other girls in addition to they insisted on taking the suspiciously inexpensive tuk tuk. These drivers, for the equivalent of 1 or 2 euros, conduct maintain you lot or hence to consider several temples, but inward central they desire you lot to halt at a tailor's store to conduct maintain a aspect at the clothes, spell they have fuel vouchers. Don't experience obliged to purchase anything!
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| Tuk tuk driver |
If Bangkok offers interesting sightseeing during the day, it is fifty-fifty to a greater extent than exciting because of its famous nightlife. Even though I'm non into luxury holidays, I went to a rooftop bar 1 night, on top of a skyscraper! There are several inward Bangkok, but the one I went to is called Vertigo in addition to Moon Bar in addition to it is on top of the Banyan Tree hotel. The stance of the metropolis from the 61rst flooring is pretty amazing, every bit you lot tin imagine. I went alongside some people from my hostel, in addition to fifty-fifty though nosotros had to hold off quite some fourth dimension for some seats, it was worth it. The prices aren't for everyone, I must admit.
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| View from the Moon Bar |
Where to consume inward Bangkok? It mightiness appear incredible if you've never been to Thailand, but the most incredible meals I had were past times the road. There is no lack of restaurants inward Bangkok, but the ultimate experience hither is to consume a pad thai, or some other uncomplicated but delicious dish, inward 1 of the many improvised stalls that popular upwards inward the eve almost everywhere inward the city. Around my hostel, inward Ratchadewi, at that topographic point were many. They prepare the noodles, or whatever your ordered, correct on the spot alongside fresh ingredients, in addition to for or hence forty baht (1€). With inexpensive in addition to delicious meals similar that 1 later the other, you lot tin afford to conduct maintain a drinkable at a rooftop bar, right?
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| Grilling meat inward Bangkok |
Another argue to write a postal service called "Surviving Bangkok" is to larn how to cross the street! Streets inward Bangkok ofttimes conduct maintain several lanes, they are rattling trafficked in addition to tin intimidate you. You volition ofttimes consider some overpasses for pedestrians. In many parts of the city, it is the entirely means to cross the street hence create conduct maintain them. If you lot conduct maintain to cross the street but you lot are unsure how in addition to when, simply follow the locals!
The primary tourist sights inward Bangkok tin hold upwards visited inward 2 or iii days. The most expensive is the Grand Palace at 500 baht (12,70€), but it is different whatsoever other temple complex I visited inward Thailand. Never inward my life conduct maintain I seen hence much gold! Be prepared for hordes of Chinese tourists, in addition to brand certain to acquire far early, because it closes at 3.30 pm.
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| Chinese tourists visiting the Grand Palace |
Learning how to contend inward Chatuchak Weekend marketplace position or or hence Khao San Road is something I never learned to create properly, fifty-fifty though theoretically I know the rules, similar start at 50% below the asked cost in addition to go upwards from that. Don't create similar me the showtime fourth dimension I was inward Morocco: I was hence unsure of my bargaining skills that I ended upwards non buying anything (and at that topographic point were enough of beautiful things to purchase for inexpensive prices).
For the rest, simply taste the loose energy of this city. If you're on a longer trip you'll destination upwards going dorsum to Bangkok to a greater extent than than once, in addition to each fourth dimension you'll hold upwards to a greater extent than at ease there.
How was your experience inward Bangkok? Did you, different me, larn to bargain?
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