Yahoo Lifestyle Bangkok: More than just a city
“Bangkok is more than just a city… it's a way of life.”
Speeding away from Don Mueang International Airport towards the bright lights of downtown Bangkok, our taxi driver imparts some fortune-cookie style wisdom.
“I move away once, but I return after two months. Bangkok has my heart.”
I can see why.
It’s half past midnight and rain is streaking up the windows, but I can already see glimpses of what he is taking about. There’s something intriguing about Bangkok.
It’s a city home to more than 8 million residents, but everything seems to be running smoothly. Streets are clean, the people are polite, and the cars all seem to follow the road rules. It’s a refreshing change to other Asian capitals I’ve been to.
Conversing through broken English, the driver’s sage-like advice only makes me more excited about being in the city he loves so dearly. In just over five hours, as dawn fills the city with golden light, I’ll be able to see Bangkok in all her glory.
Our hotel for the next three days is the Anantara Bangkok Sathorn, which is more at the business hotel end of the spectrum, but works as a fantastic base to explore the city. What really sold me on the hotel though is Zoom, the rooftop sky bar.
It’s stunning.
Another plus is the location. A short walk from the hotel is the Chong Nonsi BTS (skytrain), which makes getting around the city a breeze. If there’s one thing that Bangkok really has going for it, it’s convenience. Everything is within reach.
Our Deluxe Room is simply furnished but its warm and inviting. Natural shades of creams, whites and browns are the mode of the day, but a little chrome here and there elevates it and makes it feel a lot more modern. Peeling aside the curtains and stepping onto the balcony, it’s amazing how bright the city is at night.
If I have any hope of getting sleep, it’s going to have to be with the curtains drawn.
The ensuite follows the earthy colour scheme of the rest of the apartment, but with marble in place of timber. It has a very Roman baths feel to it - a deep bath, a double shower, and enough marble to rival the Vatican. A opaque glass door separates the large bathroom from the king-size bedroom. One thing that is now apparent is Anantara’s love of earthy and organic tones, there’s nothing too in your face.
Fast-forward a few hours and the sun has arrived at last. I’ve had little sleep, but I’m already itching to head out and explore the city. Time waits for no man.
After a quick bite to eat downstairs at 100°East, we venture out.
The next seven hours are a blur; street markets, train rides, hole in the wall cafes, pushy salesmen, and traditional Thai massage. Our feet are ready to drop off, so we opt for another massage to pass the time. Zoom Bar is nearly open for business.
At the top of the stairs to Zoom bar, we’re relieved to discover the view is just like the one in the photos. You can see for miles in every direction. Propping ourselves up near the edge, we watch the sun set over Bangkok, listening to the sounds of the streets below, and smile with the knowledge we can do it all again tomorrow.
My top 5 things to do in Bangkok:
Shopping – You can’t come to Bangkok without giving your bank balance a serious hammering. Even though everything is a lot cheaper than in Australia, knowing when to stop is a difficult decision. Terminal 21, MBK, Siam Discovery and Platinum are some of the biggest store options, but there are some great open-air markets too. Ask the concierge to point out some of the best markets on a map.
Relaxation – If you’ve ever had a massage, pedicure or facial in Australia, you’ll know they don't come cheap. In Thailand, however, it’s a different story. You can start each day with a massage for around AUD$10. One of the favourite options with travellers is Wat Pho Temple, aka the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. The temple is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, and has a massage school on-site.
Muay Thai – You can’t come to Bangkok without seeing a live Muay Thai fight. But if you’re a bit squeamish or just don’t like the idea of people fighting, head to the Muay Thai Live! stage show at Asiatique The Riverfront. It’s a choreographed performance that has all the fight moves but none of the contact. It’s a big budget affair with a pretty loose storyline, but the moves are spectacular. Sit midway up the seating area for the best view, too close and you’ll barely be able to read the subtitled storyline. It’s very touristy, but if you only have limited time it’s well worth checking out.
Get a tailor made suit – Anan Tailor, just outside the hotel, is a convenient place to get a suit made to order. Being so close to a hotel, I assumed it would be a rip off, but that surprisingly wasn’t the case - I compared a few different tailors. We had a suit and three tailored shirts made up, and it was comparable to other prices in the area. Sam, the Nepalese-Burmese salesman, was very inviting, and not overly pushy.
Culture – If you’re looking for a faceless city where all the usual international brands are present, Bangkok can be that for you. But if you want to get past the superficial façade and see the more authentic side of Bangkok, you’re in for a real treat. There are so many temples, from the above mentioned Wat Pho to Wat Phra Kaew in the grounds of the Grand Palace. Make sure you pack your walking shoes.
When You Go
Learn more about Anantara Bangkok Sathorn
Learn more about Amazing Thailand
Getting There
Fly Scoot
http://www.flyscoot.com/index.php/en/
Fly AirAsia
http://www.airasia.com/au/en/home.page
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About Chris Ashton
Chris Ashton is a curious traveller always on the lookout for the new, bizarre and unusual. A fan of exploring ancient ruins, diving with sharks and getting lost in city streets, he believes travel expands your horizons and helps shape the person you want to become.
Website: Repeat Traveller
Twitter: @chrisjashton
Instagram: @chrisjashton
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