Bangkok, one of the most famous and exciting cities in Asia. Known for it's night life, it's anything goes atmosphere, Buddhists temples, markets, street food, and much more. Dating back to King Rama I in the early 1500s, Bangkok has long been the capital city of Thailand formally known as Siam.
Bangkok has been the location of Royal Palaces as well as political coups. The City was at the center of Thailand's modernization after being bombed by allied forces during WWII and is now the gateway into Southeast Asia, sporting two international airports and a population of about 10 million. Anyone who has visited the sights, smells, and sounds of Bangkok knows this is a place unlike any other.
We start tour on the streets of Koh San Road. The backpacker area and where there are clusters of hotels to choose from. I recommend heading north several blocks away from the craziness of Koh San and stay in the Phranakorn Inn. Here you have AC, good wifi, it's quiet, safe, and comfortable enough at a great price of ten dollars US.
Koh San Road. Photo Credit: Bangkok.com
From here I took one of the Tuk-Tuks (motor carriages) about 5 kilometers east to MBK Mall near the city center. The cost was about three dollars. Here you can see a panoramic view of where the mall is near the heart of he City.
Note the two billboards of the two kings. On the far right is a billboard of the king who recently passed away. His face is on all the money in Thailand and it was a great loss for the country when he passed. On the far left is the new king, son of the previous one.
On the walkway there are some very cool shade umbrellas used as a canvas for some great street art.
Here we are inside of MBK Mall. Not a traditional mall like we have in the west, it's filled with hundreds of private shop keepers all trying to make a living. It's like a flee market mixed with a modern mall. Some floors are devoted to electronics, some to jewelry and clothes, other's to food. There's a movie theater and arcade on the top floor. It only cost about five dollars to see a Hollywood movie here in English with Thai subtitles.
Here is a stall offering traditional Thai pastry. It's like flavored marshmallow fluff in a toasted thin waffle all freshly made of course!
At this point we have two hours until 5pm when we'll be meeting up with Steemit member @fitinfun. So instead of take the subway to her place, the ten kilometer walking tour begins. On the way to @fitinfun we see all sorts of things like this Budhhist ceremony with many dedicated followers showing their respect.
Here's a McDonald's with a food-stall right out in-front selling something that is probably much healthier. We actually walk past about four McDonald's on the way to @fitinfun's.
A short ways ahead we find the mascot to an Irish pub staring us straight in the eye.
We then walk under an over-pass to see some more vendors this time selling fresh young Thai coconuts for $1.50 and Leechee nut by the kilo.
On the other side of the over pass we cross a small bridge and look back to see a whole line of food stalls in traditional Bangkok fashion.
A little further down the road we see another reminder that this is a Buddhist country. The Thia people are very proud of their faith, decorating their city with beautiful statues, monuments, and art of what they hold deer.
As we continue on we find the produce section on wheels. I only wonder how inexpensive his produce is.
We keep walking and what do we see? More street food! Here we have a Thai Muslim preparing what is called a roti; a thin fried pancake filled with sweet goodness. My favorite is bananas and chocolate syrup!
This lady is selling one of my favorites, grilled fermented pork sausage balls!
It's getting close to 5pm, and it looks like they are setting up shop!
Finally we get to @fitinfun's part of town. I'm hungry after all that walking. Fortunately she lives near a huge market loaded with great Bangkok Street Food! I go right for my pork balls, she's a fan too and recommends the best vendor.
We pass on the sushi this time even though it looks good and go for some grilled chicken!
I was obviously hungry for meat and the grilled pork looked and tasted great!
We got some steamed pumpkin and corn too. All this food cost us less than seven dollars, that's for the the two of us! A nice Thai woman offered to take our photo before heading back to her apartment to talk steemit and enjoy our food. After all that walking I was tired and ready to eat! Thanks for coming along on the tour. Until next time -Dan "World Travel Pro!"
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Who do we Love on Steemit?
With over 10 years of travel experience I answer travel and international lifestyle questions. Leave a question in the comments and I may make a video just for you!
Photo Credit: World Travel Pro!
