Return to Bangkok's bright lights
Trip Start
Jun 30, 2010
1
34
58
Trip End
Jun 01, 2011
Where I stayed
Golden Palace Hotel, Sukhumvit
Bangkok, Thailand
Sunday, January 30, 2011
There were a few activities we wanted to share and we'd saved the key cultural sights too. We just had to travel on the khlong again, Bangkok’s high-speed watery highway, just because its got to be experienced to be believed. It was risky, potentially disastrous if one of us ended up bobbing in the canal with barges ploughing up and down, but everyone was on their toes, clambering neatly on and then off at Pratunam, and the big grins once back on terra-firma were classic!
The Centre World Plaza had been stripped of its festive décor and had gone biker-mad with an international motorbike exhibition. Lots of black leather, chrome and beautiful women, hot-pants and heels, draped over handlebars; the fellas were happy. We visited the Golden Palace, a complex of grand palaces, ornate temples, giant statues, walkways and sculptural planting, and the golden Reclining Buddha, the largest in the world at an impressive 46 metres.
A highlight was a trip across town to Banyan Tree Hotel’s Moon Bar on the 59th floor. Bangkok spread out before us to the horizon and the silver Chao Phraya River meandered off to the south-west. As the sun set we sipped cocktails, enjoying the warm breeze, and we watched Bangkok light up. It was a wonderful end to both our travels with our family, and to our travels through SE Asia. Lots of fantastic memories.
Next, New Zealand........
