Bangkok Travel Notes

Winter has hit Sydney.  Day 3 and it is colder, wetter and windier than usual, although it is a beautiful sunny Monday morning so far.  Over the wet, cold weekend we just had I started to think about recent summer holidays.   Earlier this year, I surprised The Boyfriend by taking him on a four day long weekend to Bangkok for his birthday.  He still randomly mentions how crazy it was that we took off for Bangkok at the last minute.  It was a fun long weekend in a City we love.   Here are the highlights and some tips.

Street Food

An absolute must.   Bangkok has great street food.  Noodles, fruit, desserts, fried bugs... It is colourful and delicious (I haven't been brave enough to try the bugs).   The Boyfriend obsessively eats fruit from the street vendors every time we go to Bangkok.    My rule is: if it smells/tastes wrong just stop eating it and take a Travelan and a shot of Scotch.

The beautiful thing is that you don't have to search for good street food.  It's all over Bangkok.



Night Markets

One of the things that keeps bringing us back to Bangkok is the energy this City has.  It truly is a Cities that doesn't sleep.  It's colourful, loud and alive 24/7.   The night markets are an absolute must experience, for the food, the annoying crowds, the dodgy fake handbags, shoes and clothes and for all your other every day useless clutter.   Then, head to one of the many bars for a much deserved drink!



Sky Bars

I love sky bars.   I seek out sky bars in every City I go to.  I was told the Sky Bar @ the Lebua was a must see in Bangkok.  So, we headed over to Riverside and caught the lift up to level 63.  No doubt about it, the bar is decked out beautifully and the view is second to none.   The Dome backdrop is spectacular.  Put it on your "to do" list in Bangkok.   Personally, for me whilst it is a must do/see, it had more of an observation deck vibe rather than a bar atmosphere.   Oh, and there's a dress code so don't turn up looking like you just fell out of bed. 

Bangkok after dark...

View from the Sky Bar @ Lebua

 View from the Sky Bar @ Lebua

Red Sky Bar (55 floors up) is a great sky bar.  Personally, I prefer it to Sky Bar @ Lebua.  The cocktails are delicious and the atmosphere is great, with a live Jazz band playing.  Oh, and the view is really amazing.  

Food

I love Thai food.  The Boyfriend and I ate non-stop for four days.  Our favourite food was without doubt found at street vendors throughout Bangkok. Soi 3 on Sukhumvit had this little restaurant/food vendor with delicious food.   I can't remember the name (did it have one?) but it's about 20 metres from the corner and on the right handside.  For the best noodle soup, we found the same street vendor we went to in 2010 - he is on Sukhumvit, just before you hit Soi 2.   It was quite an adventure finding him after 3 years - but he was loyally in the same spot. 

Best Ice Cream

I am a sucker for ice cream.  I found Ete in Bangkok.  It is d-licious.   Best way to cool down from the Bangkok heat (before you down a Singha).  I found it at Silom Complex Shopping Centre.  Vanilla bean and Nutella flavours - I'm still craving it.



Combi Van Cocktail Bars

Honestly, you haven't experienced Bangkok until you have yourself some drinks at a Combi Van cocktail bar.  What better way to enjoy a drink than on a table and chairs curbside with your cocktails served straight up out of the back of a Combi Van.  This is one we found in Soi 11 off  Sukhumvit. 

 Our energetic, over-enthusiastic Combi Van waiter

The Fine Print

# Getting There - We flew Thai Airways (despite promising myself I wouldn't do it after the last trip.  Flying Thai is always an average experience but it was the most efficient way of getting there).

# Getting Around - Catch the Sky Train from the airport to your hotel - it's faster than a taxi and like the speed of light compared to a Tuk Tuk.  The traffic in Bangkok is chaos most of the time so use the BTS Sky Train to get around - it's clean, convenient, fast and punctual.  



# Sleep - Dream Hotel (Sukhumvit).  This place was surprisingly good and the breakfast (hot & cold) was yum.   The Boyfriend and I prefer boutique hotels in Bangkok - they're more flexible.   It's clean and in a great location on Sukhumvit - close to the sky train, Terminal 21 and the buzz.  It has a rooftop pool area with a bar as well. 

# Shop - You can spend all day every day just shopping in Bangkok and miss out on the buzz of the City streets.   My favourites are:

1. Terminal 21 (Sukhumvit) - a maze of little boutiques including local Thai designers, with each level of the shopping centre themed a different City (Paris, London etc); and

2. Siam Centre - Level 3 (Siam).  This level is filled with Thai designer boutiques.  So funky and fun.  I could have spent all day up here. 

3. MBK - I'm not a fan of this place but The Boyfriend manages to get tailor made jeans for work for around $15 each time so it's worth a mention. 

# Homebound - do not bother buying alcohol at Bangkok Airport if you're heading back to Australia.  If you're carrying it, they will take it from you before you board the flight.  We were told it's an Australian Gvt requirement.