TheLoneRider
a nomad in search of...
Traveling

Loving Bangkok All Over Again Feb 22-26, 2016

Loving Bangkok All Over Again

Location: Adventure Hostel, Bangkok, Thailand

Point of Entry
My purpose in coming to Thailand was to teach English in Pak Chong, about 3.5 hours by van northeast of Bangkok. With Bangkok being my landing point, I thought it best to stay for 4 days and explore the city all over again.

Adventure Hostel BangkokAdventure Hostel
Normally, I arrive at a place with no booking and see if I can make barter deals with a hotel owner - free stay in exchange for internet work. But to lessen my mental baggage, I opted to pre-book through Agoda. Luckily, I chanced on Adventure Hostel. Being right smack on the N7 BTS Train line, I could travel by train with considerable ease around the city. The hostel is new, clean, safe and reasonably priced beginning at B350 for a dorm bed in an aircon room. Breakfast is included, free wifi all over, open roof deck, keycard convenience, CCTV security, etc. - the essential amenities were there. The staff were friendly and resourceful - if they didn't know the answer, they look it up and get back to you. Perhaps the best of all, I met the amiable hands-on owner who liked my business proposal. We shook hands on a deal, effectively making the rest of my stay for free. This omen is a sign of good things to come. I like having this account because they do a great job. I would recommend this place even without that deal.

Loving Bangkok All Over Again
with Ksenia, my Vipassana sis and her husband, Sergei

Roaming Around
Last time in Bangkok, I stayed at the popular backpacker section, Khao San Road. Now at Adventure Hostel, located in a different part of town, the neighborhood scene is entirely new - it's like being in a new destination altogether! I would walk around the inner streets until they become narrower and narrower, until the local people begin to stare at me, knowing I'm not from the neighborhood. But they were just curious. Sometimes, I just find myself on a river bank where I end up taking a ferry not knowing where it will take me. All good. I actually look forward to being lost!

Food Experience
Perhaps the single most attraction for me about Bangkok is the food. There is a reason Thai food is world famous. Given my budget, I limit my meals to street food and 'carinderia' style eating places - but that alone is inexhaustible. Bangkok has these sumptuous hawker-style eatery on every street corner. The food is cheap, delicious, accessible and safe (I never had any tummy issues!). For the most part, I would simply walk around the city and eat whatever I see interesting along the way. A decent meal will only run you Baht 40. That sums up Bangkok for me.

Peoplescape
Given the short 4 days and the logistical preparation for Pak Chong, I didn't have ample time to really interact at length with people around me. But I met a few interesting people at the hostel. Moreover, I got to hook up with Ksenia, my Vipassana sis whom I've met at the center in Cambodia last year. I likewise met her affable husband, Sergei. My local Thai friend, Kansuda, was able to squeeze time to meet me at the sprawling Mega Bangna Mall. I would have loved to call up my cousin, a few locals I met last year, etc. - but squeezed-out of time.

Ending Thoughts
Bangkok is one place you keep going back to. No wonder it's the default hub of travelers doing the Southeast Asian route. The hustle and bustle, the high energy, the constant infrastructure expansion, the diversity, all overwhelms the senses. Bangkok food is to die for, the ever-growing malls rival the density of Singapore, ease of transport is there by tuk-tuk, bus, river boat or train, and the culture lends itself to foreign presence. Bangkok is perfect! Well, if only they speak English :)

--- TheLoneRider

arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok taking the BTS train to my hotel, Adventure Hostel having checked-in at my hotel, I started exploring Bangkok on foot almost like a sweet crispy mini crepe, 10 Baht/5 pieces roadsides are lined up with eating places this is the less glamorized part of backpacking...the laundry it's a different food scene at night street pad thai, 40 Baht street coffee, 10 Baht fried fish and kai-yang chicken fruit vendor grilled fish, pork and chicken balled sweets motorcycle guy chooses his wild Bangkok's infrastructure keeps pace with its population growth I don't even know what fruit this is fresh made hopia fish skin crispy rind (chicharon) inside Or Tor Kor Market giant prawns fish market...look how clean it is plant market inside my room at Adventure Hostel...free wife, air-con, work table! Baht 0.15 to cross the river...monks do it standing up morning breakfast on a side street hawker-style eating at Siam Station the ubiquitous tuk-tuk turn into a corner and you might see an outdoor bazaar checking out what's cooking pausing for coffee at the snack shop at Chatuchak Park at Jatujak Center San Miguel Beer takes center stage street bazaar they'll cook your dish in front of you a Lamborghini inside Siam Paragon Mall fountain and play of lights at Siam Paragon Mall street dinner at Mo Chit train station Chatuchak Park offers free weights equipment an unusual military press equipment trippy motorcycle with side car promotional stint for the opening of Gods of Egypt movie chilling out on a park Thai mango salad, street style! Baht 40 if I see a ferry crossing, I cross, not knowing what's on the other side I explore into different neighborhoods, going deep into the narrow alleys Monthong Durian at Baht 100/100 grams or Baht 1000/kilo! stuffed squid, rice and sauteed vegetable, Baht 45 - not bad I love this part - the bag inspector at the train station, salutes the passenger after making the inspection. This gesture says a lot about Thai culture coconut vendor open kitchen by the street reunited with my Thai friend, Kansuda, at Mega Bangna Mall lunch with Mary, a fellow guest from Adventure Hostel morning coffee on the roof deck of Adventure Hostel roaming around another street delight. I don't know the names, but if it looks good, I order it another street delight at the train station for Pak Chong....goodbye Bangkok
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Reader Comments:

Chainiwat BeauChainiwat Beau
(Mar 2, 2016) Million thanks for your great review of Adventure Hostel. It's our pleasure to welcome you as our guest at the beginning. Then, you became our friend lastly. Hope to see you again next time.

Next stop: Plum Village Monastery: Day 1

Bangkok Blogs by TheLoneRider
  1. Bangkok with $19 Dec 8-11, 2018
  2. 30 Days - Goodbye Bangkok Nov 8, 2018
  3. Revolving Peoplescape of Bangkok Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
  4. Food and Friendship at Dalad Vietnamese Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
  5. Movie Review: First Reformed (2017) Nov 6, 2018
  6. Doing Online Work at The Work Loft Nov 5, 2018
  7. Window Seat [His Precious] Nov 1, 2018
  8. Surreal Odyssey at Bangkok Float Center Oct 29/31, 2018
  9. Bangkok Halloween with Rinna and Steve Oct 27, 2018
  10. Push-Ups Oct 22/24, 2018
  11. Pad Thai at Thip Samai, Bangkok Oct 16, 2018
  12. Birthday Walkabout Oct 16, 2018
  13. Coming to Terms with Donations Oct 14, 2018
  14. Feelin' Da Blues at Adhere the 13th Blues Bar Oct 12, 2018
  15. Visiting the Grand Palace of Thailand Oct 12, 2018
  16. A Web Mandate in Bangkok Oct 8, 2018
  17. 29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye Aug 27 - Sep 24, 2018
  18. Calling the Bangkok Police Sep 23, 2018
  19. Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011) Sep 22, 2018
  20. Yoga Inversions at Now's Fitness Gym Sep 19, 2018
  21. Flow Yoga with Teacher Kea at Now's Fitness Sep 18, 2018
  22. Movie Review: Under Construction (2015) Sep 15, 2018
  23. Walking Tour of Little India Sep 15, 2018
  24. Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
  25. Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
  26. Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
  27. Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
  28. Exercise Ball Workout with Teacher Bie at Now's Fitness Sep 11, 2018
  29. Exploring the Amphawa Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
  30. Exploring the Tree-Engulfed Wat Bang Kung Temple Sep 9, 2018
  31. Parting of the Maeklong Railway Market with a Passing Train Sep 9, 2018
  32. Exploring Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
  33. Horse Racing at the The Royal Bangkok Sports Club Sep 8, 2018
  34. Fight Class with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 7, 2018
  35. Exploring the Bangkok Art Book Fair 2018 Sep 6, 2018
  36. Circuit Training with Mild at Now's Fitness Sep 5, 2018
  37. Gentle Flow Yoga with Nuch at Now's Fitness, Bangkok Sep 4, 2018
  38. A Yogi Lost in a Modern Gym - Now's Fitness Sep 3, 2018
  39. Abundance at On Nut, Bangkok Aug 30-Sep 1, 2018
  40. Outside Looking In Aug 29, 2018
  41. Back in Bangkok After 5 Weeks Aug 27, 2018
  42. 15 Days in Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
  43. Peoplescape: Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
  44. Hatha and Yantra Yoga Fusion July 10-24, 2018
  45. Revisiting Terminal 21 Mall, Bangkok July 23, 2018
  46. Rope Skipping, 4mins Full-on July 22, 2018
  47. Sunday Visit to Chatuchak Weekend Market July 17, 2018
  48. Fork on the Road: Abundance or Poverty by Choice? July 16, 2018
  49. Loving Bangkok All Over Again Feb 22-26, 2016
  50. Hotel Review: Adventure Hostel Bangkok July 11, 2018
  51. Hotel Review: Riva Surya Bangkok Oct 20, 2014
  52. Exploring the Shopping Malls of Bangkok Oct 6-20, 2014
  53. Bangkok's Street Food Delight Oct 6-20, 2014
  54. Bangkok Revisited 3 Oct 6-20, 2014
  55. A First Timer in Bangkok December 31, 2005 - January 3, 2006

Google Map

Bangkok, Thailand

hotels in Bangkok HOTEL

Adventure Hostel Bangkok - N7 BTS train stop, dorm rooms, great for solo travelers, laundry, roof deck, entertainment center, kitchen, all-day tea-coffee, fridge, clean
1541 Phahonyothin Rd. Payathai

restaurant in Bangkok RESTAURANT

Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant - N7 BTS train stop, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, clean & hygienic, fresh green leafy vegetables
195 Soi Pradipat 19, Pradipat Road, Phayathai

spa and wellness in Bangkok SPA / WELLNESS

Bangkok Float Center Bangkok Float Center - experience a surreal sensory immersion as you effortlessly float on 10 inches of water, 5-stars from 524 Tripadvisor reviews
99/6-9 SHOW DC Retail and Entertainment Mega Complex (4th Floor)

gyms on On Nut, Bangkok GYM| gyms on On Nut, Bangkok YOGA

Now's Fitness Bangkok - gym equipment, yoga, Muay Thai, boxing, fitness trainer, cafe, healthy food
726 Soi On Nut 14 Rd, Khwaeng Suan Luang, Khet Suan Luang, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250

Useful Information

Bangkok Cost Index

as of Sep 4, 2018: US$1 = Baht 32 = Php 53

  • Bht 60 sm, 90 big one mug draft beer
  • Bht 13 1.5 liter drinking water
  • Bht 220 one hour massage
  • Bht 60-80 muesli breakfast
  • Bht 60-80 tom yum soup in modest eatery
  • Bht 25-30 coffee
  • Bht 30-50 pad thai
  • Bht 350 Adventure Hostel lodging
  • Bht 20-30/load laundry, coin operated machine
  • Bht 7 bus ride
Transport Maps of Bangkok
  1. Chao Phraya Express, MRT, BTS, Khlong boats, Airport Link
  2. Bus Routes: 1-14
  3. Bus Routes: 15-30
  4. Bus Routes: 32-49
  5. Bus Routes: 50-70
  6. Bus Routes: 71-88
  7. Bus Routes: 501-516
  8. individual bus routes
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Night Train from Bang Sue Train Station
  1. take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #2 Exit to the provincial trains
  2. Proceed to Counter 2. You will see an information booth, a train schedule chart and the ticket counter. Choose the train and pay at the ticket counter.
  3. daily train schedule:
    • 8:48am - #7 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:30pm, not sleeper, B638
    • 2:06pm - #109 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 4:05am, sleeper
    • 6:31pm - #9 Premium Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:15am, sleeper, B938 upper deck, B1038 lower deck
    • 7:56pm - #13 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 8:40am, sleeper, B768 upper deck, B838 lower deck
    • 10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
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