Thailand is a country full of novelties to discover. Most are unexpected. The cities are a very different experience than the countryside. But to know Thailand is to experience them both. It all starts with Bangkok. Bangkok is the capital city. It is a modern heavily populated large city. The big shopping malls and sky scrapers can be very opulent. Most of the citizens have a very modest lifestyle.
The first thing you notice is the traffic. It makes Manhattan feel like a sleepy small town. This is why an elevated highway system was built. But even these roads are regularly clogged with traffic. Inside the city, driving a couple of miles can easily take 2 hours. It's best to travel by sky train and/or water taxis.
Exploring the city you'll notice two things. There is a 7-11 on every other block. These are a god send because they take credit cards. Most of the country is cash only. The other thing you'll notice everywhere are massage parlors. These are a great way to escape the heat for an hour or two. Thai massages are very different from a Western Swedish massage. They are rougher and focus on pressing and stretching. Most places offer both, though many are guessing at how to give an oil massage. They still can be good. I recommend both. A legit massage will cost 250 baht - 500 batht. That's $10 - $15 for an hour. If the massage cost $50 or more and there are security guards, congratulations, you found a brothel.
In Bangkok, the Grand Palace is a must see. You have to wearing sleeves and long pants. If you don't have them, they will provide clothes to wear. Beware, a popular scam is for taxi drivers and people on the street to tell you the palace is closed and get you to go with them. Also, the reclining Buddha is just around the block, behind the Grand palace. You can walk it. We didn't know so paid too much for a 2 minute tuk tuk ride. By the way, a famous massage school is in the same compound as the reclining Buddha. You are guaranteed an expert Thai Massage there.
Exploring Thailand is ultimately about the food. So much so, that I will do a posting exclusively on this topic.
The bathrooms are another classic unexpected adventure, so always carry your own toilet paper. I'll do a posting just on them. Until then, if you are in the Bangkok airport, be sure to e nice to the toilet!
City view
The first thing you notice is the traffic. It makes Manhattan feel like a sleepy small town. This is why an elevated highway system was built. But even these roads are regularly clogged with traffic. Inside the city, driving a couple of miles can easily take 2 hours. It's best to travel by sky train and/or water taxis.
Get a ticket and wait
They blocked traffic fix our leaky tire
Exploring the city you'll notice two things. There is a 7-11 on every other block. These are a god send because they take credit cards. Most of the country is cash only. The other thing you'll notice everywhere are massage parlors. These are a great way to escape the heat for an hour or two. Thai massages are very different from a Western Swedish massage. They are rougher and focus on pressing and stretching. Most places offer both, though many are guessing at how to give an oil massage. They still can be good. I recommend both. A legit massage will cost 250 baht - 500 batht. That's $10 - $15 for an hour. If the massage cost $50 or more and there are security guards, congratulations, you found a brothel.
In Bangkok, the Grand Palace is a must see. You have to wearing sleeves and long pants. If you don't have them, they will provide clothes to wear. Beware, a popular scam is for taxi drivers and people on the street to tell you the palace is closed and get you to go with them. Also, the reclining Buddha is just around the block, behind the Grand palace. You can walk it. We didn't know so paid too much for a 2 minute tuk tuk ride. By the way, a famous massage school is in the same compound as the reclining Buddha. You are guaranteed an expert Thai Massage there.
In any Wat (temple) and people's homes it is important to take off your shoes. You quickly learn that flip flops or sandals are a must in Thailand. They are inexpensive and sold everywhere.
The zoo is a good place to visit. Where else can you hand feed a hippo?
Interested in a bomb shelter?
At night there are bars, sky bars, and shopping. One family friendly hand out is Asiatique. It is within walking distance of the hotels we stayed at, the Chantrium.
Asiatique
Exploring Thailand is ultimately about the food. So much so, that I will do a posting exclusively on this topic.
The bathrooms are another classic unexpected adventure, so always carry your own toilet paper. I'll do a posting just on them. Until then, if you are in the Bangkok airport, be sure to e nice to the toilet!
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