Treat Senses To A Day In Bangkok.

Bangkok, the city of angels is a place of contrasts. This bustling metropolis is a crazy blend of the old and the new. These stark contrasts give this city, its distinct character and personality. The cities roads are congested with traffic and its rivers are bedecked with ornate cruise boats. Monstrous mega malls sit besides ancient flea markets that sell anything under the sun! Gold embellished Buddhist temples with meditating monks lie a stone’s throw away from sleazy neon light bars catering to every fetish that exists out there! Bangkok surely is a city full of surprises!

I decided to spend one day in this city savouring the plethora of options that it has to offer. I was sure that this day was going to be a treat both visually, emotionally and gastronomically!

I woke up to a hot and humid morning in Bangkok with the usual hum drum of a bustling metropolis around me. After a quick breakfast on the go of yummy bread, butter ham and cheese sandwiches at my favourite super market chain, 7-Eleven, I was ready to hit the road and begin exploring this rambunctious city.

I had my plan for the day chalked out. My day was going to begin with soaking in the rich cultural heritage of this ancient kingdom followed by experiencing the sights and the sounds of the world’s largest flea market. My evening would begin with a relaxing dinner cruise along the Cho Phraya river where I would feast my eyes and taste buds and I would end my day with the noise, clamour and excitement of Khao San road.

Wat Pho: Temple of the reclining Buddha

My first stop was the ancient temple of Wat Pho, popularly called as the Temple of the reclining Buddha. The colossal 8 acre campus hosts the largest collection of paintings of the Buddha and the largest statue of the reclining Buddha. It also has a magnificient view of the Grand Palace to its north.

As I entered the temple complex, I was greeted by two large imposing Chinese statues guarding the gate. These statues stand stoic and imposing as they guard the hidden ancient treasures that lie within.

Once the rain abated, I made my way to my next stop which was truly a one of its kind experience. Chatuchak market is the world’s largest flea market sprawling over a massive 27 acres! This market is only a weekend market and has over 15,000 stalls selling goods and artefacts from all over Thailand.

I got to the market to be greeted by a bustling crowd. Many were tourists like me who were exploring the sights and the sounds of this place and some were serious shoppers who went about their business of haggling aggressively.

The information kiosk handed me a map of the market place and after glancing through its sections, I dove right into my favourite zone, the food section! My stomach was craving for some delicious Thai cuisine and the aroma of the freshly cooked food was making my mouth water. I settled for a Thai coconut soup with fish balls followed by some meat on skewers laced with a spicy mint sauce. To satisfy my sweet tooth, I indulged in my ever favourite pancakes with mango and syrup!

The Cho Phraya river is a major river of Thailand that flows through Bangkok before draining into the Gulf of Thailand. The river serves as a source of livelihood for many local vendors who sell their wares and food on the famous floating markets on Bangkok by day. The banks of the river have the eclectic mix of the fanciest of hotels and bars along with river side walkways and promenades and the arresting architecture of the temples of the Rama dynasty. Come evening and this myriad display is illuminated with beaming lights, throwing about a radiant lustre on the dark waters of the river.

I embarked on to my river cruise boat from one of the docks on the river all excited for the beautiful sights that lay in front of me. Little did I know that apart from a visual treat, a gastronomical treat also lay in store for me.

After a refreshing cold coconut water laced with mint, I was treated to some delicious raw papaya salad seasoned with tiny shrimp and dried fish. My main course consisted of frogs legs in a spicy sauce and some Pad thai with chicken.

As the river cruise went along, I went on to the top deck of the boat to enjoy the sights that this cruise was treating me to. The water was set ablaze with the glistening reflection of the grand structures that lay on the banks of the river while the lights of the Bangkok city skyline added to the glitz and glitter.

We sailed past Wat Arun also called as the Temple of Dawn, glistening in all its golden glory. The Grand Palace, all lit up on the banks of the river was our next breathtaking view followed by the Rama bridge.

Khao San is popularly referred to as the centre of the backpacking universe. Judging by the scores of Backpackers converging here and the hordes of stores that you find catering to every travellers need, the name pretty much sums it all up.

Packed into a 1km long strip, teeming with guest houses, bars, massage parlours and street carts selling every conceivable artefact, this place was a lot more than I had expected.

Sauntering along the streets, I was greeted by a street hawker selling all sorts of deep fried arachnids! There was deep fried scorpion, caterpillars and some other bugs that I really couldn’t figure out. For the not so adventurous, street food also consisted of yummy sea food gently grilled on bamboo skewers and some delicious pork.