BANGKOK - HAPPY ENDINGS
Bangkok for us is the Mumbai of South East Asia. It’s a city tangled in those telephone wires. It’s filled with people. Mind-numbing traffic. Ever-growing malls. There are the red-light areas. The street food culture. The ‘Massage Massage’ cries from across the street. Bangkok has an underbelly. And it has a swashbuckling side as well. Think of it as suburbs and town or Bandra. But in its entirety, it’s one glorious mess. One that’s so familiar, it almost feels like home. Simply put, we love it. Just the way we do our hometown. It’s the livewire energy of the city. It’s always bustling, never stopping. Hell, half of Bangkok wakes up in the evening and sets out for business. There’s so much to see here, so much to do, that 3 trips have not been enough. We still haven’t covered it all. But then again that’s the idea. Cover a part of this mad city, take in that experience and come back for more. Because Bangkok will continue to dish out new ones like hot cakes.
So, will this post cover everything you need to do in Bangkok? Well, most of it. Now before we dive into this post, let us tell you we’ve been guilty of one thing – we haven’t explored the fantastic food of Bangkok yet. We had made a list of must-eat places and must-eat dishes, but unfortunately the last time we were here, we weren’t in the best of health, so experimenting with food went out of the window. Yet, we did manage to binge on their favourite staple of sticky rice with mango. Oh-so-yum! Okay, so what have we done in Bangkok? Here’s a short (well, not-so-short) list.
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
STRIKE GOLD WITH PLATINUM
You visit Bangkok a tourist but you return home a shopper. It’s inevitable. Try as you may, this city will lure you, compel you and turn you into a thorough-bred shopaholic. Like it did to us. One trip to the Platinum mall and we were convinced that we born to shop. With over 2500 stores, 6 levels and 2 zones, Platinum gives has an obnoxious amount of variety. Be it hats, jewellery, clothes, shoes, accessories, floor after floor, it will floor you. Though the collection for women is a lot more than those for men. Yet, you won’t walk away empty-handed. We certainly didn’t. Try as you may, it’s next to impossible to resist the urge to splurge. Because it’s all so affordable! Let’s just say, we left this mall with lighter pockets, plumper bags and a very satisfied conscience.
Weekend Wayfarer tip – This mall is a maze! So if you like something, pick it up immediately. Don’t wait to come back later because finding the store will be a task.
Bonus Tip – Carry a spare suitcase with you because you’ll always end up shopping more than what you’d planned for.
ONBOARD TERMINAL 21
If you want to globe-trot in a matter of minutes, you don’t need a visa. You need an escalator. And a trip to Terminal 21, of course! Because this 9-story airport-themed mall, houses the world’s top cities. This 'one-floor, one-theme' mall is a true delight. We were like kids in a candy shop itching to explore the world. On one floor, we’d find ourselves stealing a deal at the Istanbul zouk, and on the other, we’d waltz down the cobbled streets of Paris at Champs Élysées. And when hunger pangs struck, we’d rush straight to Caribbean to or San Francisco. What’s more is that every floor is peppered with iconic structures like the red telephone booth, the Eiffel Tower or the Golden Gate Bridge, which make for great photo-ops. Now amongst all this, you’ll also get some fabulous stuff and prices that will blow your socks off. We say, don’t miss this for the world.
Weekend Wayfarer Tip – Visit their washrooms! Yes, it sounds weird but their washrooms are created with Japanese technology, where even the temperature of the seats can be controlled.
Bonus Tip – Don’t miss out on any levels because every floor has something nifty in store.
THE KINGKRONG OF BANGKOK
Mahboonkrong, also known as MBK is one of the epic malls of Bangkok. It’s a one stop shop for everything. It’s like the Heera-Panna of Mumbai multiplied by 100. Yes, it’s that massive. And unlike Platinum, where clothes dominate the roost, MBK offers a lot more. From clothes to cameras, stationery to souvenirs, bags, phones to electronic appliances, you name it and MBK has it. 8 floors packed with goodies, you can easily spend a good half of your day here. Now, if you’re a bargain hunter, this is a must. Because the more you buy, the less you pay. We bought tons of stuff and bagged some fabulous deals. MBK is a legend and we say, it’s a must-visit.
Weekend Wayfarer Tip – Buy in bulk and drive a bargain. More often than not, you’ll get one.
Bonus Tip – MBK is loaded with souvenirs and fancy bags. Don’t think twice. Just buy them already!
THERE'S ONE FOR EVERYONE
Another popular shopping favourite is Siam. With pocket-friendly boutique shops and high-end stores within the same vicinity, Siam is broadly divided in Siam Paragon and Siam Square. We could totally see the contrast with Paragon posing as the flashy diva in stilettoes and Square looking effortlessly cool in sneakers. One look, and it pretty much sets the tone as to which one’s for you. While Paragon is the playpen to the richie-riches of the world, Square is primarily for the street suave and casual cool. If you want square deals at prices that won’t make your wallet cry, Square is the place to go. But if you’re looking for the who’s who of brands, Paragon is your paradise. The two are diverse and together, they make Siam the hub it truly is.
Weekend Wayfarer Tip – Carry a credit card if you intend shopping at Siam Paragon. The prices here are mighty steep.
Bonus Tip – MBK, Siam Paragon and Siam Square are barely a 10-minute walk. So plan your day and explore each of these.
FLEE TO THIS MARKET
We love flea markets, so there was no way we were going to miss out on Bangkok’s biggest one – The Chatuchak Weekend Market. And boy, it was every aching muscle. Filled with a happy vibe, this shopaholic’s delight is all about nifty stores at thrifty prices (and some at not-so-thrifty prices). Whether you’re a vintage hunter, quirk hoarder or a compulsive collector, this place is a haven for fabulous finds. Divided into zones, this place has everything from clothes, food, jewellery, shoes, souvenirs and yes, even pets. If you have the patience to scout, you might chance upon some outrageously cool stuff too. We did and we picked up so much, we had to buy a new suitcase to fit it all in! Also, remember, hunting and haggling is what this place is all about. After all, good things come to those who thrift.
Weekend Wayfarer Tip – It’s easy to lose your way so don’t forget to pick a free map. Yes, it's easily available.
Bonus Tip – Wear sneakers as you’ll be walking a lot. A lot.
This city is also famous for its night markets. When the world goes to sleep, the streets of Bangkok wake up to art, culture, food and music. Almost like a carnival, these night markets are brimming with everything from pop-up stores to pop art. And the vibe is so infectious, you’ll be compelled to be a part of it. We certainly did. And we loved this 12 am version of Bangkok.
TOURISTING AROUND
STAYING AFLOAT
The Floating Markets of Bangkok are fabled. Boats floating across the canal, flanked by vendors selling their goods, is a sight to behold. We had heard so much about this legendary experience that we had to see it for ourselves. So, after a long drive, we reached Damnoen Saduak. About a 10-minute boat ride to the pier and there were a host of long-tailed boats waiting to whisk us away. We hopped on one and joined the bustling crowd in the already overcrowded waters, alive with energy and cacophony. Along the fringes, there were vendors selling everything, right from wooden toys, fresh fruit to the famous Tiger Balm. To add to our ‘touristyness’, we even picked up the traditional conical Thai hats. And don’t be surprised if you find coconut vendors rowing their boats right next to you. Also, don’t forget to try one. These fresh coconuts are delicious and oh-so-sweet! As for our experience, it was fun. It may not be as authentic as it once used to, but it’s worth trying.
Weekend Wayfarer Tip – Plan your day early as this is on the outskirts of Bangkok. We started as early as 5 am.
Bonus Tip – When you get on to the boat, smile for the camera. You can purchase your framed photograph at the end of your journey.
A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Unapologetic and uncensored, Bangkok has a wild, wild side. And we decided to walk on one with a visit to the Tiger Temple. The most talked about attraction and the most controversial temple ever. Most talked about because you get to pet wild cats as if they were house cats. And most controversial because as per reports, animals here are drugged and mistreated. Nevertheless, we decided to take a chance to find out what the hype was all about. A long drive (a really long drive) and a short walk later, we finally arrived. And there they were, six majestic 400 pound tigers, at an arm’s distance. Yes, we were scared but we had to earn our stripes to qualify as somewhat brave. So we did. A volunteer took us around, as we petted each of these beasts and proudly lived up to the adage of walking into a lion’s den, quite literally. We were careful to not use flash photography and were truly glad when it was over. It was one thing off our list. We don’t know if the controversies are true, but from a purely tourist's point of view, the experience a tad too overhyped.
Weekend Wayfarer Tip – It’s a temple run by monks so wear outfits that over your arms and knees.
Bonus Tip – You can also opt for cub feeding sessions that come at a fee.
ZOOTOPIA UTOPIA
After walking into the wild, we wanted to go mild. Well, not completely mild, but you get the drift. So we planned our little adventure at The Safari World and Marine Park. Whether you’re looking for an open zoo experience, a close rendezvous with a dolphin or a fast-paced spy-thriller in real-time, this place has it all. We were like two kids, excited to see everything there was. Right from a vast species of animals to a number of shows to choose from, this place is a happy one. We especially loved the Spy War Live Action Stunt Spectacle. It was extravagant, complete with hi-end special effects and crazy stunts. So the next time you’re in Bangkok, give this place a try.
Weekend Wayfarer Tip – There’s a lot to see out here. You need to pick between shows, so read up their schedule and pick what suits you.
Bonus Tip – You can spend all day here so plan accordingly.
Bangkok is the kind of place you can love, you can hate but you definitely can’t ignore. We opened our hearts to this sensorial attack of a city, and it gave us a lot more. We went as tourists but returned as travellers. All we can say is that it’s a bustling bubble full of life, a never-say-die vibe and devil-may-care attitude. And with Bangkok, what you see is what you get.