Day 23 My first day in Bangkok
- Heike Panagoulias
- Feb 16
- 6 min read
I had a great night's sleep, the bed was an absolute dream! And then the view out of the window in the morning - the rising sun was reflected in the skyscrapers.
I set off on foot towards the shopping mall. I wanted to get some real exercise again! I had a really great time on the islands, but apart from swimming I was very lazy!
So I walked along this big street and looked for a café. In Thailand, just like in South Korea, there are lots of chains like Starbucks, which have excellent coffee and very tasty snacks. I sat down in one with a view out onto the lively street. I enjoyed my breakfast coffee and had a delicious sandwich while watching the hustle and bustle on the street. The streets were full of cars, cabs, tuck tucks and of course lots of mopeds squeezing past the queues of cars. Pedestrians with their purchases, small food stalls selling their delicacies and, of course, tourists on their way to explore Bangkok. It was a lively but relaxed atmosphere.
I had about half an hour to walk past universities and schools. This may not be soooo interesting for many, but I've watched countless Thai series and was naturally curious to see how authentic they are. And they are! You see them with their uniforms on the way from one building to another, or walking to the bus. In front of a school, probably a private school, there were lots of expensive cars with drivers waiting for the children. This is the most famous university in Bangkok, Chulalongkorn University. Funnily enough, I only realized later on the bus ride that I had walked past the back entrance to this university. Later, I took the bus past the main entrance
The Siam Paragon is a huge shopping center with all the brands you know. It is considered the most exclusive shopping paradise in Bangkok. There are not only stores with all the well-known manufacturers, but also 16 cinemas, 52 bowling alleys and the Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World.
There is also a bus stop for the hop-on hop-off bus, which runs through Bangkok and stops at the main highlights.
I bought a day ticket and it didn't take long to get going. Next time I would buy a 2-day ticket though, the extra cost is so low and you would have more time to see things. You were given a flyer with all the stops and you could also use the QR code to see live when the next bus was going to which stop. It was so easy and uncomplicated!
I found a nice spot on the bus and listened to the tour guide as we drove past lots of great sights. I made a few notes on my cell phone about the highlights I really wanted to see. Maybe not today, but tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. I decided to drive to Wat Phra Kaew and the Royal Palace, the most important sights in Bangkok.
As I didn't really know what was in store for me today, I wasn't quite perfectly dressed for a visit to the temple. But that didn't matter. Because there are Thai people everywhere in front of the temples selling those famous elephant pants and of course the matching tops. There are also lots of little stores where you can buy the right outfit. That's how I ended up with my trousers and a temple-appropriate outfit!
It was incredibly impressive! First I went to see the absolute main attraction, the Phra Ubosot. It is the most important main building. This is where the Emerald Buddha is housed. This Buddha statue is said to have special powers, so there was a lot going on here! There was a colorful crowd.
Inside, the walls are decorated from floor to ceiling with beautiful murals. They depict Buddha's life and the Buddhist world view.
The Emerald Buddha sits on a gilded throne. Wow, that's all I can say! Photography was forbidden here, as in all ubosots in Thailand. It is definitely worth a visit.
It is quite an awe-inspiring feeling to walk through these high doors.
The Ubosot is surrounded by a low wall, the Jewel Wall, in which small Bai Sema, small boundary stones, are integrated.
The Phra Sri Rattana Chedi is a reliquary. It is said to contain a fragment of the Buddha's breastbone. It is therefore not surprising that this building is sacred to Buddhists and has great significance. The interior is therefore not open to the public.
The Grand Palace was the official residence of the kings of Siam (now Thailand) in Bangkok until the middle of the 20th century.
Simply beautiful!
I made my way back to the bus stop because I wanted to see more. Wat Arun was my next destination. On the way from the bus stop to the entrance, you pass through small alleyways full of little stores and restaurants. These include stores where you can rent or buy a Pha Nung. The rental service includes jewelry, hairstyling and parasols. I first walked past a store. Stopped and went back and left again. But what a great idea! I had done the same thing in South Korea. So I went back to the store and picked out a nice one. The ladies in the store did my hair, put the dress on me, put the jewelry on me and then I went to Wat Arun well equipped.
It seemed that here in Thailand there is not yet this big hype with the borrowed clothes. While the temples in South Korea are full of dressed-up visitors, I was one of the few, at least among the Western tourists. But the Thai tourists were so happy about my outfit. So many smiled at me, clapped or gave me a thumbs-up! So much encouragement from all these strangers. I was impressed! It warmed my heart.
I took countless photos. A very friendly tourist offered to take a few pictures of me so that I could see myself in 360°. I have to admit that the visit to Wat Arun took a bit of a back seat, hahaaaaa
You'll have to forgive me for taking so many selfies...
I just enjoyed it!
It was now late afternoon. I took the bus a few more stops and saw so much that I wanted to see over the next few days. So I still had a lot planned.
The last bus left relatively early, which was a shame. That's why I really recommend a 2-day ticket. But I had managed a whole tour, made a lot of notes and crossed some sights off my list, as just driving past them was enough for me. I sorted things out and had a plan.
I drove the last stretch back to the starting point in the upper deck.
I had already discovered a nice restaurant here in the morning where I wanted to eat something before I went back to the hotel. I was really hungry by now. I hadn't eaten anything apart from my breakfast. So I treated myself to a big papaya salad and a delicious, spicy dish with chicken and vegetables.
But then I didn't walk back to the hotel. I had done enough walking for the day. I ordered a motorcycle cab via the Grab app and was back at the hotel in a few minutes for just under 1 euro. However, it really costs nerves with these Grab drivers on the back of the moped, hahaaaaa. A video will follow elsewhere ;)
I was tired, I was full and I was sweaty. But, I had a great day!
I enjoyed this lovely big shower and planned my day for tomorrow. I also created my videos and uploaded them to my channels. I didn't get much more done today, it was a fulfilling day.
Conclusion of the day:
I was so glad that I went back to this store to borrow a Pha Nung! It was a great idea, I had a lot of fun with it and have never taken so many selfies of myself in my life. I was really pleased with myself, another situation where in hindsight I would have thought: oh, maybe I should have...
At the end of the day, you should look back on memories and not on missed opportunities
It sounds like you had an amazing time 🥰 Beautiful photos makes me want to travel there one day ❤️