filmwill

Hey gang. So I think we've decided (thanks to a recent post) to stay at the Pen for the full 24hrs we're in Bangkok.

Don't think we'll be wandering out to Face this time (although, Kathie, you know how I'll miss it so!) Going to try taking it easy for a change.

Guess I'm wondering (once we finish our spa treatments) what's good/fun to do late afternoon/early evening that's easily accessible from/near the Pen or the Pen boat? Have a feeling we'll have some time to spare between spa and dinner.

KimJapan

Go to the pool and get a sala, lounge, have drinks, swim, relax, nap.

After dark, ride the Peninsula boats across the river and back, just because its pretty and the boatmen are friendly.

Take longtail from the hotel to Wat Arun.

Relax.

Craig

You can do a klong tour right from the Penn dock. The Penn boatman can set it up for you. Just tell him how long you'd like to go for (1-2 hours) and any special places (Wat Arun, barge museum, snake farm) that you'd like to go to or avoid.

Kathie

I don't know where you are planning to have dinner, but there are some interesting places to eat right across the river, such as Harmonique.

By the way, Cheryl and I just made our spa appointmetns at Face for our first morning in Bangkok.

Gpanda

There's not much interesting right around the Pen, but get the Pen ferry to take you to the Oriental. There's several interesting shops, e.g., Lin Silver, plus Tongue Thai and Harmonique are easy walking distance.

Cicerone

The Penn's boat can take you to the Skytrain pier, so you can pretty much go anywhere you want in Bangkok from there without too much worry over traffic. You can even get to the Weekend Market if you have the time and inclination.

If you have not seen the original wing of the Oriental Hotel and their small garden, that is worth a look, and as mentioned above, there is some good shopping around the Oriental Hotel. (The Oriental has a small but very good bookstore and they sell their cookbook there from their cooking school.)

You can also take the Penn's boat over to the public pier other side and walk to the Skybar at Sirocco in the State Tower on Silom Road in about 15 minutes, a great place to watch the lights come up over the city at sunset. See sunrisesunset.com for sunset times, you may want a reservation for drinks and/or dinner there. (http://www.thedomebkk.com/web/index.html)

One of my favourite things to do is hire a longtail boat just before sunset and work my way up the river toward the Grand Palace to see it lit up at night. You can stop at Wat Arun and/or the Royal Barges on the way up during daylight assuming they are still open, and wander the little canals as well on your way up and back.

filmwill

All tremendous ideas...thanks so much, guys!

I can't believe it. 3 days and counting! It's all a grand mix of excitement, nervousness, anticipation and completely and utter joy.

rhkkmk

the penn boat goes hourly to river city shopping...its a fun place to poke around...new road is an easy walk from there with more shopping...

oriental place in back of the oriental is fun too and there are shops along oriental lane, incl. lim silver and the thai craft shop....shiets in thai craft are nice cottons in blue, white or black and also robes....place is full of dust bun neat to visit...young woman speaks good english...

dim sum in penn lower level chinese rest. is delish, but limited....

glorialf

You could also just stay at the Oriental for the 24 hours and then you won't have to worry about it. You can spend it all in the hotel or walk two to three blocks for more amusements. I would definitely suggest a trip to the State Bar. High tea in the Author's Lounge, strolling around Oriental Place for shopping, jazz at bamboo bar in the Oriental, peking duck at China House. A klong ride