Around Bangkok

The day before I was about to leave Bangkok to head south, I hired a tuk-tuk driver for the day - 200Baht ($7-$8AUD). I asked him to take me around the town just to see bits of Bangkok I couldn't get to on foot.

I think $8 is a pretty good price to pay to take in the city and see the sights I wouldn't have seen. I got on and off several times and even explored a few places for an hour or so (I just bought the driver a few drinks (non-alcoholic) and some lunch during the day to say thanks).

My stay in Bangkok ended at the train station. I met up with my friend, Kath, and we boarded the train to Hua Hin.

Historic Bangrak, food tasting and culture

South East Asia is the hub of the world for street food - in my opinion anyway. There is always something colourful, creative, strange and yummy being cooked on a corner somewhere. Sold for next to nothing and guaranteed to satisfied (but do be careful - be smart when buying and consuming street food - If others are eating from there, and its busy, its probably good - have a look around and check out how things are being handled/prepped - common sense will keep you tummy full and happy).

I love food - just because I choose to be vegan, doesn't mean I hate food - I LOVE IT! i love the smells, the colours, flavours and tastes (maybe its the French in me?)

So, after taking several strolls through the food markets, i decided to do a walking tour... why not. I love walking and meeting people and i love food - put the two together, right?

I booked through - Bangkok Food Tours. work up your appetite before hand. It's 1150 Baht ($45 AUD) which sounds a little steep, but you get soooooooo much food! if you're on a budget it may be tight, and walking around the markets would suffice.

The tour guide is great. You get a good mix of the weird and yummy. They also cater to Veggie heads like me!

I did the Bangrak tour - its the older section of the city and really interesting! i had a great time and the group I was with were really fun!

http://bangkokfoodtours.com/bang-rak-food-and-cultural-walking-tour/

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace, situated in the heart of the city, was the original official residence for the Monarchy of Thailand (Siam) up until 1925. The current King now resides at Chitralada Palace. The Grand Palace is still a hub for official ceremonies and functions.

The original structure was built way back in 1782!!! So, you can image the feeling you get as you walk through a place that has seen so much.

The architecture is stunning, so details an intricate.  you can feel the hours and hours of work that individuals invested in, in building The Grand Palace.

Entry to The Grand Palace will set you back about 400baht which is around $16AUD

There are strict dress codes. I had on leggings and a singlet (not knowing there were dress codes before going - I should have checked) but my tuk-tuk driver went and hired me two sarongs - One as a skirt and the other to wrap around my shoulders. Wear a long skirt and long sleeves - nothing tight!

TIP: Go early - there are massive crowds, and I went on a week day! Also, take a guide book. It will help to explain some of the structures you're looking at and the history behind it, as a lot of it is very interesting and there aren't many signs/information stands, let alone english ones.

Cooking up a vegetarian storm with May Kaidee

Cooking up a vegetarian storm with May Kaidee

I've always wanted to do a cooking class. I mean, I consider myself an OK cook, in that... I'll give something a go... Sometimes it works, most times it doesn't. I have h
Kind of been a vegetarian for most of my life, opting out of the meat free diet, before i even knew what the word diet meant, or even how to say meat.  So, Being the only vegetarian in my family, there wasn't too many 'hand-me-down' family recipes to inspire me to learn to cook or know what taste was. Put it this way, my mother is French, and they pretty much eat anything. And my dad is Aussie with English parents and they live of the old 'meat, mash and veg covered in gravy'.

I walked past May Kaidee's resturant/cooking school in Bangkok. I was so excited to see 'vegetarian' that at first I didn't notice that it was also a school...somehow I went from going to have dinner there to having a private 11course cooking class.

Out the back of the restaurant is a 'classroom'. I waited about 5min and the sou chef had cut and prepared all the ingredients I would need.

I couldnt beleive how fast it was to cook EVERYTHING - and I say everything becasue within a matter of moments I had cook myself 4 dishes... that I now had to eat.

CRAP - how do I fit all of this food into my tummy - and there was still another 4 dishes to go 9some of the 'dishes were sauces, so that was a relief!). I was encouraged to sit down, take my time and slowly eat.

IT WAS AMAZING - and, I'm not just say this because I cooked it. The taste, the balance - they know what they are doing!

What an amazing experience. I really do recommend everyone try this - it set me back about 1000baht (about $30AUD) not bad for a full evening of learning, entertainment and food!

nom nom nom...

www.maykaidee.com

The reclining Buddha - Wat pho

Everyone told me, 'when you go to Bangkok, make sure you see the reclining Buddha'. My tolerance for temples and pagodas where's somewhat thin, after you see the 20th temple. Now they are all incredibly beautiful and spiritual places of worship, and for these reasons, I feel uncomfortable sometimes about visiting them.

I really think that some of these temple should be preserve for what their original purpose was, in saying that, a lot of temple are also a place to bring people to tether and share experiences, so I don't feel all that bad...I guess.

So, I hired a tuk tuk driver to run me about town. I know, most people stay away from them, but if you can find a nice one and agree on a price it can be a cheap and easy way to see Bangkok.

So for 500baht (about $15AUD) I had my guy scoot me around to all of the sites. He warned me at each attraction...'Sarah, stay away from Thai pele trying to sell stuff...just keep walking'. So, with his words of advice still hanging in the air I entered into the Reclining Buddha.

To get in it will cost you 100baht (about $3AUD).

Now there is a lady that sits at the entrance with blue bags... I swear I thought she was trying to sell it to me... Mix that with my deafness and I just 'kept on walking' only to have someone grab me and yell...' hey you white girl take a bag and put your shoes in it'

I was actually awe-struck when I entered the room where the reclining Buddha relaxed in its horizontal poise.