I had a 5-days short visit to Thailand. It was my first time and admittedly, I didn't have much expectations since they always compare it to Manila.
That is one good thing that I learned from travelling; the places is not exactly what it was on Google, so its better to expect less and be surprised rather than get frustrated. And yes, BKK surprised me... being a Filipino, somehow its painful to admit that it is way better than Manila...
Travel time from Dubai to Bangkok is about 6.5 hours. We arrived in the afternoon.
Not all my friends who already traveled in BKK knew that there is already an airport train connecting the city... thanks to bangkok.com, because being on tight budget, I was able to study the train routes because taxi is not an option...
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| Airport train station |
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| Token Vending Machine |
The stations are clean and tourist friendly; there are Tourist Information Center on all major stations; signages are bilingual.
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| Phaya Thai Station - BTS |
We booked @ Holiday Inn Shukhumvit; though most of the back packers were in KhaoSan road, a friend suggested that it is safer on that area; our hotel is walking distance to Nana train station - and that distance has all the street foods that you can imagine...
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| BKK street foods |
Since we arrived in the afternoon, its no longer advisable to visit the temples since they are closing in few hours (mostly 3:30 and 4PM); we don't have much plans on the itinerary because we prefer to be more relax and just explore as far as our feet can bring us...
and as long as there is a metro rail.
and as long as there is a metro rail.
We found ourselves at Saphan Takshin Station (BTS) heading to Chao Phraya River through Sathorn station...
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| Chao Phraya River |
Chao Phraya River is the major river in Thailand. It flows through Bangkok and then Gulf of Thailand. It is connected to all the places that you should visit in BKK - Temples, Markets and Restaurants...
It's almost end of day when we reach the Sathorn station; people were rushing, mostly locals and few tourists. There are barkers who are making last call for the passengers before the boat leave.
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| SATHORN PIER STATION |
we always go with the locals.
We approach the barker and asked, "where is this boat going to?" and she said "GO WHEREVER YOU WANT!"
She got us there! Why not? We can go wherever this boat leads us for only 15BAHT; while the tourist boat costs 120BAHT full day or 30 BAHT per ride.
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| Orange Flag boat - 15 BAHT |
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| Blue Flag boat - 120 BAHT |
Here we are again with the locals, experiencing Thai culture and exploring the place.
I remember our Maldives adventure when we took the local Dhoni vs. the expensive speed boat...
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| Rice barge passing along Chao Phraya River |
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| Rama VIII Bridge - Chao Phraya River |
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| Rama VIII Bridge - Chao Phraya River |
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| Krung Thon Bridge - Chao Phraya River |
Our plan was to have a round trip from that boat only for sight seeing along the Chao Phraya River. However, as we were enjoying the ride, I didn't notice that we were quite far already; while I was checking the map, a lady suddenly approached me and told me that we were too far already and the boat is not going back. She asked me to go down from the boat on the next pier and just wait for the boat returning to Sathorn pier.
But I was surprised when she went down with us. I thought she's one of those who collects ticket from the boat. As we were waiting on the pier, she stick close to us, as if we were together; I approached the guard on the pier and asked for the schedule of the next ferry going back to Sathorn Pier. I also told the guard that we feel awkward with the lady who is now following us. But the lady spoke in Thai, and the security guard became distant. She even asked us to ride a cab...
On such instances, in a strange place with a total stranger who is somehow harassing you to accept her "help", don't panic. Instead, say a prayer and be amazed on how God make miracles...
At that pier station, people, who were mostly locals were just looking at us; when we moved to one corner, and there is one lady who suddenly asked us - "are you Filipinos?"
There, at that moment, God sent someone to help us. She didn't look like a Filipina, but she is. She asked what happened; she speaks Thai and she told the lady that we know what to do and where to go, so she can leave us alone.
Not long after that, the ferry arrived; the lady didn't follow us anymore. The Filipina, who helped us was still sitting at that corner when we hop on the boat.
On such instances, in a strange place with a total stranger who is somehow harassing you to accept her "help", don't panic. Instead, say a prayer and be amazed on how God make miracles...
At that pier station, people, who were mostly locals were just looking at us; when we moved to one corner, and there is one lady who suddenly asked us - "are you Filipinos?"
There, at that moment, God sent someone to help us. She didn't look like a Filipina, but she is. She asked what happened; she speaks Thai and she told the lady that we know what to do and where to go, so she can leave us alone.
Not long after that, the ferry arrived; the lady didn't follow us anymore. The Filipina, who helped us was still sitting at that corner when we hop on the boat.
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| Monks and Tourists waiting on pier station |
If you surrender everything to Him, He will guide you all the way. There is no co-incidence nor angel in disguise... God works in our lives, in every way and on every thing that concerns us; not just on big decisions or future plans, but in every single - little thing that is happening to us.
Along the way, we saw the Yodpiman River Walk and we decided to check the place, since we thought its near the station already (but its not)...
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| Yodpiman River Walk |
Dinner along the Chao Phraya River overlooking Wat Arun was included in our to do list, and instantly, it was crossed out as we had our first authentic Thai meal that night.
Our night didn't end at Yodpiman, after dinner, we were informed by the waitress that the night market is just walking distance; since it's not too late to explore the area we walk and check out the place, but I refrain from taking photo for safety reasons...
Temple visits and more stories along the Chao Phraya River on my next post...
Glory to God for this wonderful experience.
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Thailand Journal: 01
(c) KALI PHOTOGRAPHY
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