Day 3. River Boats and Temples of Bangkok

On By Little Miss TravellerIn Asia, Bangkok & Hong Kong May 2016, Bangkok May 2016, Thailand

We had a full night’s uninterrupted sleep not waking until 7.30 am local time which was good.  The hotel breakfast had plenty to choose from and we enjoyed a relaxing start to the day sitting by the restaurant window observing Bangkok’s chaotic traffic pass along the road.  Tuk-tuks, scooters, cars, vans, cyclists and old fashioned buses with passengers leaning out of windows trying to get some air – the organised travel chaos of Thailand unfolding before our eyes.

River Boat, Bangkok
On board one of the river boats

Leaving the hotel at 10.00 am and navigating using a mixture of paper maps and phone sat nav, our first stop was to Sathorn (Central Pier) from where we purchased one day passes for unlimited travel on the river boats.  These cost 150 Baht each (£3) and can be used on both the tourist and local services.  Tourist boats have English commentary whilst local services are more frequent so it’s useful to be able to travel on a combination of the two.  The tourist boat runs every 30 minutes and was just about to depart so we jumped on board.  All the seats were occupied so we decided to stand at the back which turned out to be the best plan as from there we could take photographs along the way, not so easy from inside the boat.

The head of the Reclining Buddha, Bangkok
The head of the Reclining Buddha

We left the boat at the Tha Tien pier as we wanted to visit the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho.  Tickets cost 100 Baht each including a welcoming bottle of chilled water.  Do remember to have plenty of cash available as credit cards are not widely accepted.  Gowns were available to borrow for visitors deemed inappropriately dressed but we were both given the all clear.  (I was wearing a knee length dress with cap sleeves and my son was dressed in long shorts and a short sleeved shirt).

Wat Pho Temple, Bangkok
Wat Pho Temple, Bangkok

Instead of leaving shoes outside, visitors pick up a cloth shoe bag and carry their shoes around with them, returning the bag to a tub on leaving.  I haven’t come across this system before but it was a good idea as there were no worries that your shoes might have disappeared on leaving the temple.

Gardens at Wat Pho, Bangkok
Gardens at Wat Pho

The Reclining Buddha is huge (46 metres) long and visitors can walk along each side of it in the gilded hall.  The soles (feet) are currently being restored but we were able to see everything else.  Stepping outside, the grounds are attractively laid out with flower beds and a carp fish pond.

Moving on, we strolled back to the boat pier and took the ferry across the Chao Phraya river to visit Wat Arun.  This ferry isn’t included in the day ticket but costs only 3 Baht per person for the short river crossing.  Sadly, the exterior of Wat Arun is currently shrouded in scaffolding so we’ll have to return sometime in the future to admire this most beautiful of temples.

Wat Arun, Bangkok
Inside the grounds of Wat Arun

It was still possible to visit, admission costing 100 Baht each.  Steps up to the temple may prove troublesome for the less agile as they are extremely steep and narrow without handrails but if you can manage the climb it’s worthwhile.  We admired the elaborate ceramic tiling inside the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) which thankfully was free from scaffolding.

Tuk Tuks in Bangkok
Tuk Tuks in Bangkok

Retracing our steps we returned across the river on the ferry and then walked along to the Royal Palace just as the midday sun came out.  The temperature was a blistering 38 degrees Celsius but felt more like 44 in the sun and we felt ourselves wilting in the heat.  After a little sit down under a shady tree we managed to continue sightseeing with the aid of sun hats and chilled water.

Royal Palace, Bangkok
Royal Palace, Bangkok

Strolling back to the river, we took the ferry towards the Khao San Road district and alighted at Phra Arthit Pier.  We found a delightful small cafe on a surprisingly quiet tree lined street for something to eat and a rest.  I ordered mango sticky rice and enjoyed every mouthful, it was absolutely delicious and I could easily become addicted!  To drink, we selected the local Chang beer which arrived chilled, I don’t think I was ever more in need of a refreshing beer than this afternoon!

Khao San Road, Bangkok
Khao San Road, Bangkok

Feeling revitalised we set off again for a walk along the famous Khao San Road, a mecca for western backpackers arriving in Thailand.  It was late afternoon and the street was still fairly quiet but comes to life in the evenings with throngs of people in the bars and cafes.  It was interesting to observe life here – travel agencies on every corner advertising cheap bus transfers to other parts of the country, low price hostels, bars and countless Thai massage parlours.  The aroma of Pad Thai and Satay filled the air from the plethora of street food vendors whilst tuk-tuk drivers were constantly trying to persuade us to take a ride.

Khao San Road, Bangkok
Khao San Road

Feeling tired, we headed back to Phra Arthit ferry pier and only had to wait a few minutes for a ferry back towards our hotel.  We got off at Oriental, a request only stop which was a short distance from our hotel and a pleasant walk passing some colonial buildings and the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Reception lobby, Holiday Inn Bangkok
Reception lobby, Holiday Inn Bangkok

After a welcome rest and a refreshing cup of tea we took a look in the Fashion Designer Outlet conveniently located next door to our hotel, this was arranged on several floors and although called a ‘fashion’ outlet, it also sold household and other items.  There was even a Marks & Spencer outlet tucked away in one corner, not sure I’d call M & S designer though!  I was planning on buying some clothes in Hong Kong but was already tempted into buying a dress here from one of my favourite HK designer labels.  Being petite, clothes shopping is a dream for me in Asia as I’m only 5ft tall which is the norm here and not the exception!

Swimming pool, Holiday Inn, Bangkok
Swimming pool, Holiday Inn, Bangkok

Back at the hotel we had planned to go for a swim but it was already 7.00 pm and we’d made plans for later, so we ordered a snack from room service and then had a short rest before venturing out again.  The temperature had fallen and the heat seemed pleasant this evening.  We walked along to Sathorn (Central Pier) taking approximately 20 minutes to the free boat shuttle service to Asiatique.  On arrival at the pier we couldn’t believe how long the queue was – a mixture of tourists and locals going out on a Saturday evening, so we didn’t expect to board the first boat.  When the boat docked and passengers started to board, the queue moved quickly so that we were some of the final passengers allowed on board.  The boat was packed tight with people standing in every available space and I doubt it would have passed UK Health and Safety regulations!  We couldn’t move anywhere so stayed at the back for the 12 minute journey which fortunately meant we were one of the first to disembark.

Asiatique, Bangkok
Asiatique

Asiatique opened in 2012 and is a large leisure complex overlooking the Chao Prahya river, featuring shops, restaurants and bars, with a large market at the rear.  It’s open daily between 7.00 pm and midnight and can be reached either by boat or car.  We strolled along the promenade, debating whether to take a ride on the big wheel but decided against it as it was dark and there wasn’t so much to see.  There were bars and restaurants to suit every pocket and we opted for one that was full of locals – a sure sign that it would be of a good standard.

Meal at Asiatique, Bangkok
Meal at Asiatique, Bangkok

We enjoyed our favourite – Singapore style steamed chicken, delicious!  Our return boat was much quieter and we even managed to find seats.  Feeling exhausted back in our hotel room we were sound asleep in seconds.

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51 thoughts on “Day 3. River Boats and Temples of Bangkok”

  1. I have been to Bangkok more than once and I kind of like the vibe of the city. Even though it isn’t dramatically different from the Indian cities (most Asian cities are similar in many ways), it has its own culture and ways. I’m sure for you it was a different world because of sights, smell, noise, and city teeming with people.

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  2. I have never seen anyone be successful in fitting the reclining Buddha into one shot. All the temples had been refreshed before our 1982 visit and they positively gleamed. I love the new shoe bag system of taking them with you. Ours never disappeared but there was always that worry. Good memories Marion. Allan

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  12. It’s lovely to read your travel journals and look at all the photos. I’m coming back to read your other posts for sure. Thank you for stopping by and like my Mt. St. Helens. We’ve traveled to London, Amsterdam, Russell, Paris, several cities in Germany and Austria, Australia, Bangkok, Hong Kong and some states in US and some provinces in Canada. So I may go back to my memory lane to post 14 years of traveling photos when the eight moments come. Nice to find your blog.

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  13. girlinaus

    Having been to Bangkok twice and it being one of my favourite places in the world, I loved reading this post! It took me right back to the streets of Khao San with the sights and smells! A beautiful place.

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  25. Really enjoyed reading about your day – amazed too that you managed to pack so much in with that heat, I’m sure I would have wilted in those temperatures. Love too the idea of hopping on and off boats to get around, a fun thing to do.

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    1. It was uncomfortably hot at times but with only two full days in Bangkok we felt the need to make the most of it. I can cope well in the heat but this was a bit too much when we were out in full sun! Thanks for reading and commenting, much appreciated.

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