I landed in Thailand a couple days ago and I wasn’t sure how I would like the city but I love Bangkok! There is so much history everywhere you go. My hostel is right by the airport, and it is the best one I have stayed at so far. Its brand new, modern and has a ton of free perks!
First obstacle to downtown was getting on the right train, turns out it’s easier than I thought, same system we use back home. Google maps is my best friend and the best invention of all time. The first day I went to a temple close by called Wat Benchamabophit. It was beautiful and so serene even in the middle of the city. Afterwards I just wandered around, bought some fresh fruit and food from a market and headed back to the hostel. Grab is the asian version of Uber or Lyft and again, its been my best friend. They have a motorbike option and I decided to give it a shot since it was half the price of a car and everyone here drives them… never again. The traffic is crazy, there isn’t a ton of rules and they weave in and out of traffic going 60mph.. plus no helmet. So I can say I did it, and will never again.
Today was a big sightseeing day! I took the train again, and was going to take a bus to the Grand Palace but bus stops here are more suggestions than actual stops. So while waiting to flag one down a girl who looked fresh off the plane asked if I knew how to get somewhere. Turns out we were going the same direction so we decided to split a tuk tuk instead of the bus. She was taking a break from university in the UK and was in Bangkok for the day before moving on to meet friends. We decided to go sightseeing together and it was amazing! I had so much fun, and we wanted to do all the same things!
First stop was the Grand Palace where the king and queen used to live. We walked to the river and grabbed a water taxi to the palace. Super fun way to get around! The palace is breathtaking. Everything is so ornate; gold, jewels, murals, glass and paintings. The grounds were massive and just incredible. The detail everywhere just made you stop and stare, wondering how the hell they made it. They let you into a couple buildings but no cameras allowed. After the palace we took a water taxi again to Wat Arun Ratchavararam another famous temple. It is all white, with flower decorations over the entire temple. There was of course a giant golden Buddha in the main temple. Another incredible work of art.
After the temples we walked a ways down to a famous flower market. It’s an entire city block of nothing but flowers and fruit. It smelled so incredible, nothing but fresh flowers everywhere. We decided to get some street food in Chinatown and ended up finding the best steamed pork dumplings. I’m ruined for life because no other place will ever taste as good as those dumplings. By this time it was already late afternoon so we went out seperate ways but I am so happy we met and I had someone to go sightsee with me!
Tomorrow morning I leave to go work on a farm in Krabi. The couple who own the farm e-mailed me yesterday saying my job on the farm will be to help raise baby otters!! They have a litter of baby otters that need feeding and caring so that is my job! I am so thrilled I can’t wait! Ill update as soon as I can!
Wat Benchamabophit 
Wat Arun Ratchavararam 
Kristine's Travels 
Everything is so cool. Glad you found a friend so you could be in some of the pics.
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Its so nice not to have to take selfies the entire time!
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Love this city and what you experienced. And off to take care of a baby seal. You are going to love it!
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Its going to be fantastic!
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Oh Kristine this brings back so many memories for me. Gary and I saw many of the same things. Aren’t those Tuk Tuks a hoot. We took a ride on one as well. I remember the gassy fumes they produced!!
Taking care of baby otters sounds right up your ally. Enjoy ❤️
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