Traveling Kat...in progress trip report
 

Sawadee everyone!

Bangkok is all it has been reputed to be, I'm very pleased to see and so much more that can't even be put into words!

We left Atlanta Sunday morning and arrived BKK Monday night on a combination of Delta and Korean Air flights. It was uneventful, except for the fact that since we booked through Delta, we could never fully confirm our seats on Korean Air. They ended up flying a different jet than we had picked seats for, and as such, got stuck in the middle seats for the nasty twelve hour flight from San Fran to Seoul. However, two Tylenol PM and a glass of wine solved all those problems and we mercifully slept a good eight hours.

We had arranged a private pickup through ACC Limo (I believe that is the name) but our flight was late getting in, and as such, we could not find our driver. So we took an AOT ride into town. No problems there, and we were grateful to have the preset price of 1100 THB, including tolls, as our minds simply couldn't take haggling at that time of night.

We're staying at the Bossotel, a street away from the Shangrila. Whilst it's no where near Shangrila quality, for 55USD a night, it can't be beat.

We were up bright and early (700) this morning. The hotel has a first rate breakfast included in room price. A good mix of western and eastern foods, including an omelet station and a wonderful selection of fruit.

We went to the JT house firstly. Used the skytrain to get there and I was so impressed with how easy (and clean!!) it was to use. The JT house was fascinating - what it must have been like to live your life surrounded by such beautiful things. We spent a good deal of time simply walking around the grounds after our tour (the guide had a really good sense of humor.) For those of you that have been, my favorite thing must have been the girl potty frog. Made a tiny purchase at the shop and then it was on to MBK.

I could live my life there I think. Cheap goods and cheaper food is my kind of place. We ate at the new fifth floor food court - wonderful. 300THB coupon and we still had a refund amount on it. I'm floored by how inexpensive food is here.

We mostly wondered around in awe for a while, then back to the hotel for the jet lag nap. We've just come back from a street vendor dinner down on Si Lom. Thai noodles with basil....yummmmmm.

Tomorrow, we're off to the grand palace/wat circuit.

We earned our fodorite karma by helping a couple on their way to the JT house, by informing them that no, this was not a holiday, and yes, the JT house was open.

Also, being from Mississippi, Atlanta, and lately of Texas I thought all you soft northerners must have been exaggerating about the heat and humidity. You weren't.

I'll keep adding more to this post as our travels progress.

Katherine

I'm delighted to hear that you are enjoying Bangkok. It's fun to read about it while you are there!

Thanks for your post. Looking forward to more!

If you liked MBK, you might also enjoy Platinum Mall. It is on "the other side of the canal" from the huge Central World Plaza.

Have a great time.

Carol

Kat,

Be aware that there's a great possibility of public disturbances tomorrow, Wednesday 30th May. Stay away from areas like the democracy monuments, government house and pretty much most of Rajdamnoen Avenue.

Hope nothing happens but better safe than sorry!

Kat-sounds like you're off to a wonderful start. It's refreshing to read about a fodorite that easily eats street food. Please give a report about whether you have any tummy issues. Penalty avoided.

Seat selection is hardly a viable concern on KAL conpared with their safety record - one of the worst airlines ever to put planes into air. I would not fly KAL if they gave free 1st class fares.

What is going on may 30th?
Kat let us know how tong is, I think you are seeing her in a few days. Tell her Jeffrey and Carrot said hi!

I'm looking forward to more! Enjoy the rest of your vacation :)

I hope nothing happens today but to be safe I am keeping my children home for a couple of days. There are major headlines in all the local paper describing what is going on here, English and Thai but I'm not sure if the average tourist will take the time to read the news or not.

If you want to know the detail I've posted some link here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstorie....php?id=119084

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007...s_30035566.php

Stay safe Hanuman and others in BKK. The news does not look good.

great start to your report....i suspect any unrest will be very temporary and will be very localized as in the past....rely on your hotel for advice and also consult with tong...

keep the report coming....told you about the humidity!!!!

Day two -

Hanuman - thank you for the warning, but am quite happy to report that we were totally safe today. Our hotel supplies the Bangkok Post in the breakfast room and I read it this morning, so we were somewhat aware.

Gpanda - no issues to report as of yet. Naturally, typing this out will immediately bring on the Bangkok belly. Please advise if the Panda Fund will cover any hospital stays.

RHK - more proof that one should always listen to you.

Today we went to the Grand Palace and Wat Po. Overwhelming is the only word that I can possibly think of to even begin describing it. It's unlike anything I have ever witnessed before. Unfortunately, the chapel of the emerald budah was closed for renovations, but contrary to all the reports outside, the Grand Palace was not closed today. :) Wat Po was also draped in renovation cloth and scaffolding, but they left many of the areas still accessible. I literally gasped out loud when seeing the reclining budah for the first time. We did not however, use our best sense this morning, and forgot to cover with sunscreen. We're paying the price for it tonight! Luckily, the "daily smile" was stocked with aloe to soothe our woes.

We took the river ferry to our stops today. What a fun experience it was jumping the gap between the rocking dock and rocking boat - neither rocking in sync with the other! Whilst street food doesn't scare me, river water does, and I made sure to keep my mouth covered for our ride, as the river was very choppy and lots of spray was created. The ferry was extremely easy to use, and very very inexpensive. Cheaper than our sky train tickets from yesterday.

As a slightly amusing aside, I have to say from reading all the guide books and hearing all the first hand trip reports from here, I am naturally suspicious of anyone who approaches us and strikes up conversation. When getting off the ferry at Tha Chang we were approached by a single western female who struck up a conversation with us. Instantly, our hands went to our wallets and shoulder bag. Turns out, she was traveling solo from Canada and was getting tired of her own conversation. Traveling is wonderful when it brings you new friends and not scams!

Speaking of, we had our first tuk-tuk ride today. We were quite lazy and a little disoriented from the heat, so took a tuk-tuk from the GP to WP. Easily walkable, but we caved. Naturally, we overpayed, at 30THB for the three of us, but we had great fun and feel the laughter was worth it.

Tomorrow, floating market, tiger temple, and others with Tong!

I'm so glad to hear that you were safe today. I was looking at the BK Post on line and saw the headlines. I hope everything takes place without any uproar!! Thais are usually non confrontational and prefer peace.

I am making my 11th trip to BKK in July. I have yet to visit the Palace and that area. I have, however, seen the reclining Buddha. On my 11th trip, I will finally have another FEMALE with me (for shopping!!!) and it is her first time to BKK. Maybe we will "see" the sights together. lol

Keep your nice trip report coming.

Carol

sounds like things are going well and you are seeing a lot....

you did well to only pay the tuk tuk 30B...

have fun with tong....it will be your best day yet i am sure...

i find that the bangkok post always blows government things all out of proportion....

Enjoying your on the go report. Looking forward to more!

The Panda Preservation Fund is open to all worthy causes. I do note that Pandas are not in the feline family, but we'll listen.

Tong will be relieved to have someone as nice as you and not have to deal with Bob and me.

great report