RadioRoryWith time at the beach, pool, and Pattaya’s notorious Walking Street complete, it was time to see more of Bangkok.
I bought a small duffle bag (Thanks Night Market!), left most of my stuff in my beach condo, and got an AirBnB next to a SkyTrain stop in downtown Bangkok.
This was one of the better segments of my trip. It was like taking a vacation from my, well, vacation.
Bangkok is weird and wonderful.
It’s old and new, immigrant and native, religious, capitalistic. Very East meets West. I get the sense that no two visits to this city are ever the same.
This is also where I realized Dunkin’ Donuts is screwing over Americans with an inferior product!
Yes, it’s touristy. Big buses drop off big groups at The Grand Palace, which is at the center of a series of spectacular museums and historical sites.
There’s Wat Pho and the reclining Buddha.
Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, was covered in scaffolding during my visit., so I passed.
I’m not exactly sure which comes first. You get sick of seeing temples or you get sick of seeing temples alongside tour groups. Maybe it’s because I’m a big guy (or just a gentleman), but I tend to be aware of my surroundings, whose path or view I’m blocking, and if I’m interfering with others. That kind of consideration has gone right out the window. People aren’t just taking selfies, they are doing full-on photo shoots with hair flips, pouty lips, and reflective, far-off stares.
OK, this guy isn’t the problem but it is a funny picture.
You’ll find that Bangkok is filled with amazing street food and vendors selling EVERYTHING.
And that was right outside an English sports bar!?!?
And I found myself in a similar bar early one Monday morning to catch a Patriots game. Clearly, a big draw.
The place actually served a nice breakfast and its Australian owner was happy to talk football.
But football isn’t why you come to Bangkok.
You come for the selfies.