BANGKOK

CHARLOTTE 02:28 Add Comment travel Edit

Thailand's capital may come as a shock to the senses, but there is plenty to see for anyone prepared to put up with the heat and confusion. It's a mix of huge shopping centres, bustling markets, sleepy canals, and, of course, the city's notorious nightlife.

The heat and the urban sprawl make it one of the world's least walkabout cities, and aimless sauntering may result in nothing but a twisted ankle, for the pavement is chronically torn up. This is where Tuk Tuks, taxis and the sky train come into the picture. The sky train costs 40 baht which is roughly just under £1, which to get you around the city is not too bad, you just have to keep an eye out as to where you are because nothing is written in English here. Secondly, taxis. When getting taxis in Thailand, and Vietnam for that matter, make sure you get a taxi meter. They work out sooooo cheap - most of the time cheaper than Tuk Tuks. But onto Tuk Tuks - even though they can be a little pricey and the drivers will always try to con tourists... I bloomin' love them. They are my favourite way to get around Bangkok.

Ko Rattanakosin is an area in Bangkok which has the greatest monuments and is situated just a stones throw from the Chao Phraya River. Home to Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace Complex, as well as Wat Pho. In my time in Thailand, I did not actually visit Wat Phra Kaew or "the temple of the Emerald Buddha", but I did see it's glittering surfaces and wealth of art. Absolutely stunning. Wat Pho, Bangkok's oldest temple, houses a golden reclining Buddha which is almost 15m high and 46m long, it reaches right up to the roof of the temple.

Wat Pho

The Reclining Buddha, Wat Pho

Wat Pho

North, within the old city, Banglamphu contains the famous backpacker area of Khao San Road. I found it amazing for shopping for "genuine fakes" and also getting a little bit tipsy on the night time. I have heard a lot of people hating it and I think it's because they get their hopes up, but I absolutely love it.

Khao San Road

East of the old city, lively Chinatown has a profusion of entrepreners along Charoen Road and Yaowarat Roads and the small lanes that cross between them. I found Chinatown that little bit too busy... but the food was absolutely incredible and I do not think my trip would have been complete without visiting it.

Lumphini Park is a haven of peace in the city centre. We had a beautiful picnic here and hired a boat on the lake.

Lumphini Park

From Bangkok you can get many excursions to places such as jungle treks, watefalls, caves, tribal villages, national parks and cities like Ayutthaya. I got a half day trip to The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market where the diminutive boats are piled up with coconuts, bananas, chicken and souvenirs of all kinds. When I arrived, after the 2 hours on a coach, I jumped on boat and went around the market, it was stunning. Then we had a few hours to go around the market by foot. It was surreal. There were large snakes which you could hold, animals that I have never even seen in my life, all the different spices you could possibly imagine.... and the food, ohhh the food - absolutely perfect. Chicken satay and peanut sauce is life.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

One of the best-known Thai landmarks, Wat Arun, stands on the opposite bank of the Chao Phraya River in Thonburi, but is only a minute or two away by ferry. It is departed with millions of fragments of porcelain arranged in the shape of flowers. Sadly, when I was in Bangkok Wat Arun was being refurbished and had scaffolding surronding it, but it was still the perfect place to go and watch the sunset (until it chucks it down with rain.....).

Wat Arun

My hostel, CHERN (totally would recommend it) was located in such a perfect position. Easy walking access to pretty much all the places discussed and even if not, the transport was ridiculously cheap. Wat Suthat on Bamrung Muang Road, situated right near the hostel, has a "Giant Swing" in the square outside. The Giant Swing is where young men at Brahmin New Year swung to great heights in a gondola to catch purses of gold hanging from poles. The ceremony was banned in 1931 after several accidents.

Bangkok is well known as a rich, high class city. We found a cinema which was ridiculously cheap for VIP where you can order as much food and drink as you like, lay back in recliner chairs and snuggle under a blanket while you watch a film.

SF World Cinema Central World

In addition to this, Bangkok is home to highest open rooftop bar, and it is also where The Hangover Part II was filmed. The views from up here are amazing, but just to be sure to buy or take some suitable shoes with you as they do not allow flip flops!!