Backdated post. Actual event took place on 17 August 2006.
Just across the road, an old fort-like building caught my eye, and the camera was instantly ready for action.
Getting there was an adventure of its own, with nonstop cars and tuk-tuks darting in from every direction. But we made it! The sign revealed Santichaiprakarn Park, built around Prasumen Fort at the northeast corner of Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok’s old city area.
Santichaiprakarn Pavilion was a gorgeous Thai-style waterfront gem, with sculptures, a lovely lumpoo tree, and backpackers recovering on the grass.
Meanwhile, my holiday brain read “No Smoking No Alcohol” as “No Smoking Alcohol.” Scenic, relaxing, and cheekily memorable!
Looking south, one could see the Phra Pin Klao Bridge. It looks kinda cool… ermm sorta similar to the ones we have in Penang.
We then continue to walk towards north along the riverside. Hemm.. the view was simply cool.. since evening is up soon.
The riverside path was seriously long. We just kept walking and walking and walking. The next thing we know, we are walking towards the the National Theatre which was located next to the National Museum. Both this building is alongside Na Phra That Road.
We were busy figuring out what building it was in the first place since the front part was half way re-constructing and most of the signs there were in Thai… which have me just looking at them with my big eyes yet… feeling helpless.
The buildings here never failed to amaze me. The attention to details, the sculptures, the gold leaves… awww… it’s killing me softly~
I wanted to go in and have a look at the National Museum. Too bad they were closed by the time we reach. (Click here for virtual tour)
Along the way, there were many things that fascinates me. Stuff as little as the electric cables and poles, the every amazing tuk tuk, the architectures, even the small decos on the wall. It seems like Khao San alone it too great for me to handle.
Along the way, there were many things that fascinates me. Stuff as little as the electric cables and poles, the every amazing tuk tuk, the architectures, even the small decos on the wall. It seems like Khao San alone it too great for me to handle.
As we walk, we noticed this very grand, very golden, very Thai style building. I can guess it must be some big and lavish building by the looks of it even before re-checking the map.
The awesome building was Wat Phra Kaeo. Wat Phra Kaeo is a temple built at the outer section of the Royal Enclosure west of the Grand Palace. It was built on the orders of King Rama I along with the Grand Palace and Rattanakosin Island. It was s built as a temple in a Royal compound like Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayutthaya. (Click here for virtual tour)
The building looks totally awesome from the outside. It was a late day. All the places were closed. All we ever have was only time to walk around and look at stuffs from the outside. Well, there’s always other time 🙂
Anyway, they wouldn’t allow us to go in also, since I am wearing shorts and Jimbo is wearing slippers.
Wat Phra Kaeo
Address:
Na Phralan Road
Phra Borommaharatchawang Sub-District
Phra Nakhon District Bangkok 10200
Telephone:
(662) 222 8181: 3801 3890
(662) 222 2208 623 5500: 3100
Opening Hour: Daily 8am – 4pm
Admission Fee: 200 Bht (Foreigner)
Since we didn’t get to go in… we just stand around taking pictures and everything else when suddenly a guy in his mid 30’s walk to us. He then asked us where are we going. We just reply we are walking around. And the the conversation below started.
The Guy: Hello, where you all want to go? You tourist?
Jimbo: We are just walking around (busy taking pics while I am posing)
The Guy: Where have you all gone to? How many days you will be here?
Jimbo: We are just walking around. It’s a 3 days trip and today is our last day here. *liar*
The guy the took our map and pointed to us we should go to this few places.
The Guy: You must go these few places. If you want to go.. you must go now or else they are closed. Must go. Take tuk tuk. Very cheap. Tuk tuk take you here (pointing at location A), tuk tuk wait for you. Tuk tuk take you here (pointing at location B), tuk tuk wait for you. Tuk tuk take you here (pointing at location C), tuk tuk wait for you. Only 45 Baht. If more no go.
The Guy: Are you thai? You look thai. You speak Thai?
Jimbo: No. *smiling*
The Guy:: Where you from?
Jimbo: Malaysia
The Guy: You two honeymoon?
Me: NOOOOOOOooooo *shake head*
Jimbo:No, we are just friends.
The Guy: Now friends… next time come and honeymoon together. You buy her (pointing at me) and buy her a big ring. You should go to (pointing at location B). Buy ring with big rock is cheap. *showing his ring*. Summore tuk tuk wait you there.
Jimbo: It’s okay… we will just walk around.
The Guy: Really… tuk tuk bring u here wait for u, bring u here wait for u.
He then waves and like in less than 3 seconds a tuk tuk come. Then the guy took our map and talked to the tuk tuk driver and told him to bring us to these few places and wait for us for 45 baht. The tuk tuk driver then nod.
We told them we just want to walk… that is when he lowered his price to 30 Baht. We insisted we want to walk and he lowered his price again to 20 Baht. We then said we REALLY just want to walk. He lowered his price to 10 Baht!
That is the point when we have serious doubt. They bring you to like 3-4 place and they wait for you for 10 Baht… which like when exchange back, it’s only 1 buck. Sounds fishy… anyway… we still decided to walk away.
The Guy: Are you thai? You look thai. You speak Thai?
Jimbo: No *smile again and walk away*
We then continue to walk along the road and saw a big field. Along the roadside, there were many stalls selling food, flower bangles, miracle oil and some were even playing chess.
We walk and walk and walk until we were tired and decided to take a cab to this place where Jimbo’s friend recommend us to go for the cultural show & food at Silom Village.
The taxi driver didn’t know where we want to go so he just stop us at Silom Centre. From there we walk straight down. Passing by lots of small roads with lots of stalls. Fresh seafood stalls, cloths, souvenirs, t-shirts, lightings, craft work and many more.
Along the way, we also pass by the famous Patpong Street. Yes, I bet you most guys would have heard of this place since it is a famous red light district with lots of action. Who know you might get to bring home a life size bottle opener.
Since we walked and stop by at stalls looking at stuffs. It was quite a busy place. As we walk further down, the place gets less crowded and less stalls were visibly seen.
Then.. we pass by a number of hotels and fine dining restaurants. We started to get tired as it seems like we are walking aimlessly and the place mentioned was no where to be seen.
Me and Jimbo have given up hope in locating the recommended place and decided to just hop on to the next not so expensive yet decent thai restaurant. Just as we have given up hope… we saw this bright neon light place… and when we look up.. it spells Silom Village. Finally… yes.. I mean finally.
Silom Village is said to be the last old style Thai tradition village on Silom road (which is quite true, since I don’t see much traditional buildings along the road). These houses were constructed in the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1908 and converted to restaurant and Thai handicraft shop in 1981.
We walk in only to notice there were lots of stuff going on there. They have many different type of food. Western style, Thai food… and the best part, they have a stage in the middle where you can enjoy Thai cultural performances.
We decided to have a good meal that night. Jimbo ordered food to eat since anything just goes for me. We had, “Tom Yam Koong” Prawn in Spicy and Sour Soup (150 Baht), Fried Morning Glory with Chili and Garlic (90 Baht), Deep Fried Bubble Fish served with Thai Spicy Sauce (depends on the size of fish). I tried the Coconut Frosty (50 Baht).
The Tom Yam was cool. It is a little different from the ones we have in Malaysia. It has big prawns in it and lots of mushrooms 🙂 I love mushrooms. Yeay~ Their tom yam was a little creamier than the ones we locally found at our mamak.
When I look at the menu, I think Fried Morning Glory sounds cool. I have never tried something like that. I imagine it to be the fried blue flower thing that clings around the gates and fence thing. Only to notice it was our local “Kangkung Belacan” when it arrived at our table. 😮
I was pretty much impress with the Bubble Fish. At least until now.. I still wonder how it is suppose to look like. When the dish arrive, it pretty much look like a piece of fish and chips thing. Very crunchy, and as if I can just eat everything. But it’s sorta cool when we flip it around only to notice it was actually one whole fish cut in to half.
The Thai spicy sauce is really something. I still can’t figure out what they use to make the sauce. It was not that sour, not that salty… er.. a little bit sweet and a little spicy. Hahaha.. seems like everything in one. Just amazing. Jimbo on the other hands just can’t resist the peanuts.
The Coconut Frosty was refreshing. They take out all the flesh from the coconut and then blend it together with ice and the coconut water and put it back in the coconut. It was cooling and refreshing. Ah… something that I just need!
During the entire dinner time, we were still talking about the guy that came and talked to us when we were in front of Wat Phra Kaeo. And we make a big joke out of the “Are you Thai? You look Thai. You speak Thai?” thing.
After dinner, we walk around the place to notice lots of huge and fresh seafood around… some small shops selling buddha figures, souvenirs and craft/art works.
Silom Village Inn
Address:
286/1 Silom Road, Silom Road,
Suriyawong, Bangrak 10500. Thailand
Telephone Number: (662) 635 6810
We then decided to take a cab and head back to hotel to take a refreshing bath. Seriously, I felt so heavy as if 1 inch thick dust got stuck to my body.
Oh yes, please do remember to write down the address of places you stay or want to go to cause our pronounciation of words are just so different. When we got in the taxi and said we want to go Khao San they dun understand what we were talking about. We tried different variations like KHAU SHAN, KAU SAN.. still they never know. We could only point to the map.
Then he askd us what street it was at. We said Rambuttri Road. He was giving us this “I don’t know this road exist” look. At one point… we go like RAM-BOO-TRI, RAM-BOO-TREE… at a point I even said RAMBUTAN… sigh… none of them come close.
But the taxi driver was such a friendly and nice person. He took the iniative to use his cellphone and called someone with better english command and pass the phone to Jimbo. Jimbo told that person where we wanted to go and then convey the location to the taxi driver.
Aww… I am so in love with their service and attitude. Not to mention the taxi driver is not bad looking. *evil grin* After we reach our hotel and took our bath, me and Jimbo decided to walk down and grab a drink. Since there were lots of pubs and places to drink around, we just walk towards one that is less noisy ones. We sat down where Jimbo have a cold glass of beer and I have my fair share of Gin Tonic.
And soon.. Jimbo start with his “Tell Me A Story”. Okay.. so now I am suppose to tell stories. Great~ I am now a story teller! Talk about still have to think of what story to tell on a Holiday!
I then started to tells stories. Hemm.. what sort of stories? Let’s just say I have lots to tell. Too many to mention… you will find out if you go holiday with me 🙂
I am not being known as a crapper among my friend for no reason. 😉 We then went back to the hotel and just doze off to bed to wake up early the next day and start our day early!
