Hey everyone!

This is the first of three parts of my journey to Thailand in September 2017. We have been two weeks there and had an incredibly good time there - well at least most of the time, you will see what I mean if you read through all parts of my story ;-)

Hello Thailand - Hello Bangkok!

Like most travelers who come to Thailand, we landed in Bangkok first. I have already been there back in 2012 and I really loved this crazy city. The size of the city, the crazy traffic, the people and the things you can discover. So when we (me and my girlfriend) were preparing our holiday we agreed that we have to visit the capital city first - also because it was the first time that my girlfriend visited this beautiful country.

So after a long journey (~ 24 hours; considering the way to the airport, flight times and waiting times), we arrived at our hotel in Bangkok - Parvena Hotel Sathorn.

It was a very nice and clean room and the staff was incredibly helpful. They offered a free Tuk-Tuk service within a 3 km area which was really awesome. The hotel is located a little bit outside of the old city (with the famous Khao San Road) but near the subway and the "Skytrain" which was very convenient.

In order to get cheap and fast into towards old city with all the main attractions, we used the water taxi. It only costs us 15 Baht per person (~ €0.30) and we could go all the way up through the whole city.

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Sightseeing

There are so many things you can see and visit in this huge city but like in most holidays, time was too short.
We decided to see "only" the most important things and started with the Grand Palace.

If you want any information please see the links provided

Grand Palace

If some of you may have noticed, the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej known as Rama IX, died last year and the period of mourning is one whole year. Because we visited the Temple on Sunday, there were a lot of Thais praying and many areas of the temple were closed. Also, the buildings get refurbished at the moment what restricts you even more. Unfortunately, we still had to pay the regular entry fee of 500 Baht. It was nice to see again, and I guess interesting for my girlfriend who hasn't seen it before but it was also kind of disappointing don't be able to see anything.

Standing Buddha

Our next stop was the standing Buddha - Wat Intharawihan

It is a small temple with the tallest Buddha in Bangkok (as far as I remember) and it is 32 meters high.

Floating Market - we got screwed -.-

On the second day, we booked a trip to the floating markets, round 1 hour away from Bangkok.

You read everywhere that this is so special and unique and that you have to visit it. Also, the lady at the tourist information recommended us to do this trip (of course she did). I can tell you we paid way too much - not only for the floating market but also for the upcoming transfer to Koh Phangan.

To be honest - if there isn't another floating market (a real one) then I recommend you don't book this trip. It was so disappointing. We had a ~30 min tour with the paddle boat where you just stop at every store and where you get surrounded by Thai's who want to sell you something.
I can ensure you there is NOTHING authentic and cultural about that. The only goal is to get the tourist's money - what would be okay if they wouldn't advertise it as a cultural thing.

Afterwards, we had to kill 1.5 hours, on the way too expensive market they brought us in the morning, before we took a 10-minute ride on a motorized boat where they told us we see how locals live. This was actually not too bad, to be honest, although it was very short.

Wat Arun and Khao San

After the floating market, we got back to Bangkok and discovered the last things we really wanted to see.
There is not much explanation needed, just enjoy the pictures.

Wat Arun is one of the most amazing buildings I have ever seen.

Khao San Road

Unfortunately, we have been there way too early so the pictures are not that fascinating.

Last day in Bangkok

After the first three days were quite busy we decided to relax a little bit on our last day before we travel to Koh Phangan.
We took the opportunity to visit the Lumphini Park which was near to our hotel. The park was amazingly quite although it is situated in the middle of the city. It is really a place where you can relax and enjoy the nice wheater.

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I love this picture ❤️

Lots of animals living here in the park, this monitor lizard is, however, seen as scourge since there are so many of them.

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That was Bangkok! Next stop Koh Phangan 😎

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Thank you for reading and supporting me!
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Stay tuned for the next episode!

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Stay tuned and Steem on

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Cheers,
bon3s90