Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall: Bangkok's Euro Vibe

I verily have this idée fixe when it comes to European architectures and interior designs. These masterpieces create nostalgic impression of Western history and turn Greek Mythology and Wizardry World into reality. As you would expect, these are in my travel bucket list. So, I did research for European chef-d'œuvre that can be found in Thailand. And VOILA! this picturesque neo-classical structure in the middle of Bangkok lured me, the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall.

Ancient City: ExperienceThailand in a Day

A huge open air museum welcomed me whilst I was pedaling along the sun-drenched panoramic view and beautifully landscaped gardens on the outskirts of Bangkok. Artistic and gaudy grandeur with elaborately carved and gilded motifs seized my attention. This is the best place to get an overview  of Thai history, its architecture and culture in just one day. They called this place, Ancient City. 

Krabi: Cyanic Idyll

Landed in Krabi International Airport with a heart full of excitement and gaiety. "This is it!, my long holiday starts now!". The sky was a bit 'ink-ish' when I arrived at the Ao Nang Pier, where I took a 30-minute breathtaking boat trip going to Railay Beach Resort. "Welcome to Railay!" the boatman said as he dipped down and pulled the rope to anchor his watercraft.

Suan Luang Rama IX Park: A Lush Paradise

Last week's Songkran's ravishing mayhem (amusing water fights) brought so much brio and fun to every locals and foreigners all over the land of smiles. Listless eyes, muscle pains and groggy heads were the upshots of the back-slapping and glad-handering celebration. And I wasn't exempted to these aftereffects, in fact, my adrenaline was still going. To put a halt to this feeling, I was in need of crisp air, lush green shrubs, colorful flowers and a turquoise sky then I caught myself in the middle of the largest park in Bangkok that was far from the chaos, the Rama IX Park or popularly known as Suan Luang.  

Sao Ching Cha: The Giant Swing

I was sauntering down the road of Bamrung Mueang after my trip to Wat Saket (The Golden Mount), when all of a sudden this masterpiece caught my attention. The structure was kinda familiar to me, "Aha! I always see this in some posters and magazines as the iconic symbol of Bangkok". This tall red religious woodwork stood proudly in the middle of the busy traffic roundabout. Yes, this Giant Swing is a swing. In fact, it was coated with history and religion not just a typical landmark.

Wat Saket: Temple of the Golden Mount

I could feel the searing heat as I walked on the pavements on my way to Bangkok's man-made hill crowed with a glistering gold stupa, The Golden Mount. Climbing the Golden Mount costed me twenty baht, which was economical. This well-known landmark has tall and sturdy tress, Buddhist chapels, innumerable stair steps, hundreds of small and big wall bells, gongs and captivating artworks. In order to discern visually the scenic view, I took numerous stair steps that encircled the stupa which made the climb quite daring. It was challenging but worth the effort because I was welcomed by the refreshing city breeze, chiming wall bells and panoramas of remarkable Bangkok. I reached the peak and it was incredibly awesome. Skyscrapers and beautiful city chaos mesmerized me. And the gleaming gold chedi stood proud as people took pictures of it. Spent almost half an hour aimlessly walking the place and taking good shots. This landmark opens at 9:00 - 17:00 and it is located between Boriphat Road and Lan Luang Road, off Ratchadamneon Road. 

Wat Pho: Temple of the Reclining Buddha

I found myself lost in one of the largest temples in Bangkok, Wat Pho or popularly known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Located near to the Grand Palace and to Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho should be in your to-do list when you are planning to wander around Bangkok. It is well-known for its Giant Reclining Buddha which measures 15 meters tall and 46 meters long. There are four chapels in this area that contain gilded Buddha images and lengthy lines of Buddha statues came from different parts of Thailand. The artworks here are absolutely jaw dropping. There are paintings that so intricately detailed and hard to decipher but still you will admire. The quadrangle at Wat Pho has 91 chedis decorated in floral ceramics and colorful tiles and also has Chinese Statues. You will be mesmerize to the creativity and elegance of this Temple. Finally, what's awesome in this gallivant was the amazing sunset that created ferocious clouds. It made my captured photos more vivid and lively. 

Flock of Good Luck

Gong Xi Fa Cai (Mandarin) or Gong Hay Fat Choi (Cantonese). Chinese New Year is a big celebration for Thai people since most of them have Chinese descendants. To experience this festivity, I went to Yaowarat Road in Samphanthawong District, the home of Bangkok's Chinatown. It wasn't my first time to go there owing to the fact that I usually pass that street each time I go chilling to Khaosan Road. But that was my first time to celebrate Chinese New Year in the said place and it was amazing. Busy crowd gathered together to make merit and to address solemn request of good luck and expression of thanks to a deity. Lion and dragon dancing, Chinese artworks, Chinese culinary, Chinese accessories and red lanterns were all around the street. I had a lot of fun watching people went crazy with their Cheongsam (Chinese Dress) holding an Ang Pao or Hong Bao, whatever you call it. The road were mobbed with diverse nationalities came from different side of the world. I had an opportunity to see the Princess of Thailand and I think it was the highlight of the gallivant. The total experience was great and I want to do that again. Happy Chinese New Year! Wishing you all the best of luck this year of the sheep!

Be Buoyant.

 It was a somber day of December, lost in the middle of disarray and loud hubbub. Crowds were busy and all I could see were yellow. Yellow because it was the King's birthday. Confused? Well, here in Thailand they have a particular colors for every birth days; yellow for those who were born on Mondays, pink for Tuesday babies, for Wednesdays you have green, orange during Thursdays, blue for Fridays, Saturdays have purple and red for those Sunday cuties. And you are right, Thailand's King was born on Monday. Let's go back to the chaos, LOL!, I caught myself in one of the busiest floating markets in the land of smiles, the Amphawa Floating Market. This canal was the second most popular floating market after Damnoen Saduak. Food stalls from the riverbanks offered Thai seafood meals and other authentic Thai delicacies. Small wooden watercraft had a fifty-baht tour for its tourists to experience and to see the hidden idiosyncrasy of the place. It was fun riding on a machine-powered boat and I visited a lot of temples along the riverbanks of Mae Klong. The most impressive one is the Wat Bang Koong. It had a mini zoo located on the temple grounds. I spotted camels, wild boars, ostrich, cute numerous bunnies, crocs and other farm animals. After a two-hour boat tour, we headed back to the market, devoured my cravings for seafood and bought some unique and cool souvenirs. This amazing river also had a fireflies watching tour starting at 6pm. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to spend since I would be going back to Bangkok before dusk. To sum it up, it was a great holiday for me. LONG LIVE THE KING!

Catching Some Sunnies!

Bumps here, humps there...and after three hour railroad car ride, the scorching sun of December smiled to me as I entered to the one of the most picturesque views in Thailand, Lopburi's Sunflower field. I lost my words after seeing these beautiful sunnies. Quickly grabbed my camera and with my mouth opened I took pictures and wandered in awe to this majestic paddock. This sunflower plantation gave me a refreshing mood after some chaotic conditions from Bangkok. What I also like about this farm was the clean and relaxing breeze, inhaled this and it offered a stress relieving ambiance (I totally forgot my sky-scraping-paper-works at school, LOL!). They waved their golden petals as an amiable welcome to every visitors and you could see they smiled, too. These yellow blossoms only bloom during the months of November until February so better check your itinerary if you have a plan going here. If you don't have your own transport it would be difficult for you to reach this destination because this field doesn't have a public transport. Luckily, the State Railway Thailand organized trips (9 trips for this month only) going to this plantation to help us see the beautiful sunflower garden.