Bangkok: How? When? What?
“To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
“In an age of speed, I began to think, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention”. Pico Iyer
There is a time to let things happen and then there is time to make things happen…and for me it was time to take on the reins and make things happen! I got the offer from our family elder to plan a journey to the most feasible location abroad for our immediate family. The budget was to stay under 2 lakhs in total for 5 people. After dawdling for two months due to an impasse created as five people couldn’t agree on one destination, I got the ultimatum to get things moving.
And so, it was Thailand- VISA free and the flights were cheapest in comparison and off-season rates were available for stay and events. Moreover, contrary to popular misconception, Thailand for me had a lot to offer as a family destination. I guess it depends on what lens you choose to wear. I was seeing fantabulous opportunities for family fun plus some more on the side for me and my sister-in-law.
My gallant hero, as usual was not interested in travel abroad. He loves to drive but once he hits the location, it is literally the hammock, the pool, or the Golf course for him. Nothing else moves him apart from great non vegetarian food somewhere.
So, flights were booked the same day, followed by Airbnb in three different locations. We were all set to fly! The plan was to land in Bangkok Suvarnabhoomi on 26th of May afternoon and head to Phra Nakhon area (the old city) for 2 days and then to Pattaya on the 28th for two days and back to Bangkok (in Huai Khwang area) for three days.
In Phra Nakhon we stayed at Lisa’s Place (a fully air-conditioned nice, quaint and cozy set up beautifully done with all basics covered- 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and separate kitchen, dining and sitting space with a functioning washing machine).
Our location was such that we rarely needed to use any other mode of transport other than the ones we were born with. We were good on our feet as all our sightseeing locations were within a kilometre and a half radius. However, the Airbnb had steep steps between the ground and the first-floor bedrooms, so not very convenient if the guests have difficulty climbing.
But overall, perfect for us as the Trok Mor morning market (5 am to 10 am) happened daily right below and around us, so we were spoilt for choice when it came to breakfast. They literally had everything from cute egg-shaped pancakes to rice noodles and stews and soups and grilled veggies and meat and a plethora of options …it was a foodie’s paradise at our doorstep.
Every morning, we all went on a look-out for the best stuff to line our tummy for the day and we were good to go. Considering the fact that I had a heat stroke in Delhi just before leaving for Bangkok, I had to stick to veg options for faster healing and I found that in abundance, again contrary to popular misconceptions.
The sheer number of hygienically cut and packed fruits and veggies, baos and dumplings, fresh home-made soups and rice dishes and a variety of omelettes had me salivating every morning. Many items were pre-packed in combos for comfort. It was a grand treat every morning and a tussle between the brain and the tummy. One pleading for austerity and moderation and the other pushing for gluttony.
Lunch was random wherever we were with sit-down locations/popular Thai restaurants and dinner was mostly packed ones from 7 Eleven around the corner or freshly made pad thai or noodle soups from nearby homely food stalls. Rest of the day, we loaded ourselves with seasonal jackfruits, litchies, mangoes and watermelon and sugar cane juice and Thai teas. We were never short of fresh and good food!
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