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Bangkok Itinerary ideas - 3 days -- would love your feedback!

Bangkok Itinerary ideas - 3 days -- would love your feedback!

Old Jul 1st, 2013, 05:16 PM
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Bangkok Itinerary ideas - 3 days -- would love your feedback!

We'll be staying 4 nights in Bangkok at the start of our trip in January, so we'll have 3 full days for sightseeing. Here is my rough draft, and would love your comments & suggestions(no brutality, please!). We'll be staying at the Centre Point Silom hotel.

Day 1: (Monday, Jan 20)
Tour with Tong: Grand Temple/major wats (include canal tour? anything else?).
**Question: Anything else I should add on to this tour?

Day 2: (Tues, Jan 21)
-Bangkok food tour (http://bangkokfoodtours.com/bang-rak...l-walking-tour). This ends at 1:15pm.
-Jim Thompson house
**Question: Can I do these 2 on the same day?

Day 3: (Wed, Jan 22 & our 25th wedding anniversary!)
-Half day (use Ratt?): floating market/train market
-Chinatown
(-Dinner to be determined; still considering where we'll eat this evening, and authentic, excellent food, and interesting are more important than formal or high end eating)

Day 4: We'll have the morning to explore/shop before we take a 3pm flight to Chiang Mai.

**Questions: Anything else I should see in this brief trip? Are the activities on days 2 & 3 doable as planned?

These are the highlights that seem to be of most immediate interest . The things that I could "sacrifice" if there wasn't enough time would be in order 1) the food tour and 2) the floating market/train market visit. I know there's lots more to do, but can't do it all. Hopefully, we will get back in a few years, but who knows when?

Many thanks for your help!

Paule
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Old Jul 1st, 2013, 07:32 PM
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they are doable, but... are you flying in from overseas?? if so your first day is best spent with a slower pace... the grand palace alone is a killer as it is so hot there with no escape...

i'd make day 3, day 1 and have a quiet AM and cancel the floating market
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Old Jul 2nd, 2013, 01:17 AM
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Thanks, Bob. I was thinking about canceling the floating market. I think you're right, though - we'll be arriving early afternoon the day before, but day 1 is our first full day. Good advice!

Paule
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Old Jul 2nd, 2013, 07:13 PM
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I agree with Bob. We hope to return to Bangkok someday.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2013, 05:35 AM
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I know Bob absolutely loves Tong, but I wouldn't use her to see the major wats. That is easily done on your own via water taxi, then taxis. You'll have more opportunity to wander and explore and interact with locals if you are on your own.

And I think it is wise to cancel the floating market. Bangkok is a remarkable city, give yourselves time to explore in the city.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2013, 06:47 AM
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I like using a driver/guide in bkk when you are not familiar with the city and your time is short... it prevents wasting time with mistakes, walking the wrong way etc. it also helps in ordering the places in a logical fashion, and avoiding touts and rude taxi drivers (drivers at sightseeing venues).

there is the comfort aspect as well.
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Old Jul 3rd, 2013, 11:07 AM
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I agree with you all- going to the floating market doesn't make sense in the limited time we're in Bangkok.

Whether or not to hire a guide is a question in my mind right now - on one hand, it can be really helpful to have someone provide an overview and orientation to the city, as well as being a personal connection; on the other hand, it can be a little frustrating, especially if you're not in tune with that particular guide for whatever reasons. Having recently visited India, we've had experiences with both types of guides: some were really helpful and added to the total experience, and others that were not, and we would've been happier on our own.

If we don't go to the Grand Temple on Day 1, what would make a good first day visit? I'd like to do something that would give me a sense of where we are -- for instance, if we go to Chinatown, maybe take one of the boats along the river and visit 1 or 2 of the wats.

Otherwise, I'm inclined to do the Bangkok food tour, as it sounds so much fun and a great way to get a "taste" of a part of the city.

Thanks all for the very helpful feedback. I really appreciate it!

Paule
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Old Jul 7th, 2013, 04:15 PM
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HI Paule, Happy to talk more if you email me your phone #. I think, if I remember, you are going to be jet-lagged. That said, time with Ratt may be the perfect answer, as she is not a tour guide per se, but will happily drive and pick you up as needed, accompanying you and pointing you in the right directions, which is especially useful if you are tired and warm. She will have cold water waiting.
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Old Jul 7th, 2013, 04:38 PM
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In my many trips to Bangkok, I'm always up very early the first day, the effect of the time zone difference. So for me, going to the Grand Palace/Temple of the Emerald Buddha/Wat Po the first morning would be perfect. The Emerald Buddha is on the grounds of the Grand Palace and Wat Po is in the next block. If you are still up for more, you can ride the tiny ferry across the river and see Wat Arun.

If you feel you will be more comfortable having a driver, that's fine. My point is that you don't need one, but you certainly can have one - just expect to spend a lot of time in traffic.

In the afternoon, do something more restful, maybe get a massage
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Old Jul 7th, 2013, 07:35 PM
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i'd take it easy in the AM and enjoy a pool and then venture out in the PM for lunch and poking around... like go to jim Thompson house and have a nice lunch there and tour the house and see how you feel after that... MBK is not far for some shopping overload
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Old Jul 8th, 2013, 03:07 AM
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Many thanks for all your suggestions. So many different perspectives here!

I'm inclined to bite the bullet and go to the Grand Place/Temple on our first day. Like Kathie, we tend to get up early in the morning as a result of jet lag, and it's only later in the day when we're likely to crash. Since we've never been there before, we'll be itching to get out and see some sights.

I'm still debating between going on our own and having a guide but I don't think I'd want to have a driver in this area. Sitting in traffic isn't something I want to do! Tong had the option of using public transport with a guide for this tour and I think that it would be helpul to have someone shepherd us around as we get oriented.

If we then go to the Grand Temple + wats on day 1 would a khlong tour make sense in the afternoon? I also like Kathie's suggesion of getting a massage.

If we don't do the Grand Temple + wats on day 1, I like the suggestion to visit the Jim Thompson house, then go to Chinatown perhaps for dinner?

Virginiafish, I've been looking for your email with your number but it's lost - I would love to speak with you. My email: [email protected]

Bob, much as going to MBK might be entertaining for me, an afternoon shopping would send my poor husband running in the other direction!

And, Bob, I'd love it if you would send me your restaurant list! Many folks here have given it high praise!

Again, thanks for all your thoughts! It's very helpful to have your ideas to consider.

Paule
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Old Jul 8th, 2013, 06:05 AM
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Paule, don't dismiss MBK so quickly. We aren't shoppers but enjoyed seeing the sheer size of MBK. It's incredible, like nothing I've ever seen. MBK is a quick walk from the Jim Thompson house which we liked much more than I thought we would. Pleasant place for lunch.

We didn't hire guides or drivers in Bangkok. It's easy to get around by yourself and we enjoy setting our own pace. The first morning we headed out for the Grand Palace, following our strategy of seeing the most important sights ASAP. You never know what can happen during a trip and you don't want to miss the highlights due to unanticipated events. We came back to Wat Po and Wat Arun the next morning so we could enjoy them when we were fresh.
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Old Jul 8th, 2013, 07:24 AM
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Thanks, Marija,
I'll keep this in mind and will incorporate a visit to MBK just to experience it. I think my husband would appreciate it from this perspective, rather than as an excuse to go shopping!

I appreciate your comments about traveling around without guides. We are comfortable in cities and love public transportation, and it looks pretty easy to manage the sights on our own. We do tend to do the "major" sights first as well.

Again, thanks!


Paule
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Old Jul 8th, 2013, 07:51 AM
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Not a shopper and for me whatever huge mall we went to was just that huge. Didn't really grab me. If I had time to kill I would explore, but otherwise skip.

Jim Thomspon House is a great idea for a jet lagged day. Very much enjoyed our time there.

We ended up touring with one of Tong's guide on what turned out to be our first day.(plane delay caused us to arrive one full day late.). It was totally exhausting. The heat really gets to you and that on top of being jet lagged made for a not wonderful first day in BKK. I appreciated having a driver get us around, but our Guide was not great. Would not take into consideration our jet lag and the heat factor regardless of how often we told him he was moving and talking too fast, too much info. So I would get a driver, but tour on my own with a guide book.

Loved the food tour, but again don't think I would fully appreciate it on our first day. We did a half day food tour. Hope to do another this trip.

Progol, I think we determined we will overlap in BKK and thought we might try to meet up. If you r ok with it, I will email you so we can stay in touch.
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Old Jul 8th, 2013, 08:43 AM
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Absolutely, yestravel. It would be great if we could meet up! Please feel free to email me.
Paule

[email protected]
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Old Jul 8th, 2013, 09:32 AM
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I agree with those that are recommending Grand Palace/Temple of Emerald Buddha for Day 1. Take the Chao Phraya Express boat and get off at the Chang pier. Wat Po is nearby. You can walk there after the GP/EB. From Wat Po, depending on how you feel, you can catch the river ferry at the Tha Thien pier to go across the river for Wat Arun. If your hotel has a pool you may consider a pool break in the afternoon when it's hotter.

On Day 3 since it's your anniversary maybe think about a drink in the evening at one of the rooftop bars where you have awesome views. What a great city to celebrate your anniversary!!

We arrive after you. Will be in Bangkok from 1/29 until 2/1 when we take the overnight train to Chiang Mai. Looks like we're following you! We're back in Bangkok from 3/10-3/13, 3/29-4/1 and 4/3-4/5.

Have a great trip.
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Old Jul 8th, 2013, 09:48 AM
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I will send my list..

don't underestimate what the heat and humidity will do to you..

I have never been in a traffic jam around the sites unless there was a demonstration going on.. traffic problems are in other areas: rama IV, silom, sathorn, and parts of sukhumvit.

going from one place to another in bkk is not all that easy (yes the skytrain is easy, but it does not go to many places you will want to go to). making one small error can send you into a mess and waste precious time, imo.
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Old Jul 8th, 2013, 10:36 AM
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Bob, thank you for the restaurant list!

Well, now I'm thoroughly confused. I hear what you're saying about the heat/humidity, and will take it slow. That's why (right now, anyway) I'm inclined not to get a guide for the major sites. I think we'd prefer going at our own pace and absorbing what we can.

If we go to Grand Palace/Temple of Emerald Buddha by Chao Phraya Express boat as Chris45 suggests, and then perhaps to Wat Arun, it doesn't sound too bad. Would this particular trip be easier to navigate if we got a driver? It sounds cool to be able to take the boat to GP.

I do like the food tour, though, and am planning to do that.
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Old Jul 8th, 2013, 11:35 AM
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yes it would be fairly easy to do by boat, BUT: I W O U L D N O T DO IT ON DAY 1...

not sure about getting to and from wat arun by CP boat??

THIS TOURING IS NOT LEISURELY STROLLING AROUND... sorry caps.. it is walking at your pace in grueling heat and humidity with little shelter from it, and getting from one place to another in the same..

ok, take a taxi in between... not so easy--taxis around these sites pray on tourists and charge huge flat fees...drive you to shops you do not want to visit, and LIE...

I don't think you need a guide but a driver like rat would be very beneficial.

its 2-4,000 B well spent..

no more from me on this...
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Old Jul 8th, 2013, 11:58 AM
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Bob likes to have a driver in Bangkok, I don't. There isn't a right or wrong answer to this, it's a matter of what is right fro YOU.

It is easy to get to the Grand Palace and the wats mentioned via the water taxi. The Chao Praya Express is the tourist boat. Personally, I try to avoid that boat - you have someone on a loud speaker making silly and unnecessary commentary on the room prices at the various riverside hotels. I love the boat ride, I don't need someone commentary. The public water taxis make the same stops. Chris, above, has described it very well. You get off at Chang Pier for the GP/EB, then walk a block for Wat Po. The pier nearest Wat Po, Ta Thien, has a tiny foot ferry across the river to Wat Arun. the signage is good. All you have to know is to ignore people who tell you the wats are closed and they will take you to other ones - and gem shops and tailors. Just laugh.

You want to get to the GP/EB when the gates open at 8:30. This allows you to tour during the "cooler" (read less hot) part of the day.

I have done this routine a number of times, I think every time on the first day I've arrived in Bangkok, it has always gone very smoothly for me. But again, it depends on your comfort level with using public transport. The water taxis are very easy from your serviced apartment.
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