Bangkok Baby!

Previous to this blog I had a travel-only site with places we'd been, things we'd done etc. I think it is time to converge the two so over the next few weeks I'll include other places to see outside of Australia. First up: Bangkok.

I love Thailand. The food, the happy people and the best countryside/beach combo. We went to Bangkok for a few days in 2008 and vowed to return later on. This hasn't happened yet, but will!!

We wanted to be close to Khao San Road, but not on it, so opted for the reasonably priced New Siam 2. Obviously this was 4 years ago now, but at the time the hotel offered everything we needed (basically a comfortable bed and decent shower, other things were just a bonus!)

Khao San road is the main hub of backpacker central in Bangkok and is exactly how it is in The Beach. Trade sellers (clothes, food, fake everything), bars, hotels and hostels everywhere, but not at all intimidating. Great place to pick up bargains and watch the world go by.

Must visit places are: Wat Saket (large monastery with 250 steps to the top, fantastic views), the standing Buddha (35m high, amazing!) and the Golden Palace. When we went the King's daughter was visiting the Emerald Buddha (actually jade) so they had the red carpet out and plenty of guards/police. The royal family is very important in Thailand which is nice, but sometimes off putting!

We went on a great river cruise too. Amazing food, great views, Thai dancers the works! A must in this fab city! 

Yes the tuk tuks can take you to places you might not fancy visiting (mainly suit shops) but actually it is often worth the hassle. When we visited the drivers were getting fuel vouchers for taking tourists places as an incentive which is a great idea. We actually bought my engagement ring based on one of these impromptu trips, but that is another story...

A must on any ones list!