Joannekhoo.net: Bangkok

Day 2 started out in a frenzy. We took the wrong train, got off at the wrong stop and took a tuk tuk to the wrong pier. That's the downside of not having a detailed itinerary all planned out. But I'll choose a flexible itinerary over a detailed itinerary anytime. A stressed-out trip is not a holiday in my books. Plus, with every wrong turn, a hidden gem is discovered. In this case, the hidden gem was this orgasmic beef noodles by a random roadside stall.

Where do I begin? The soup was mind-blowing. The taste lingered in my mind for the next few days. The next few days, I had half a mind to head back there just to eat the noodles again. The beef was tender, slightly chewy yet it melts in your mouth. The fact that it beats the beef ball noodle stall hands down at Jalan Tengkat Tong Shin just says it all.

The stall is located at Soi 34 (Soi means 'street')

Schoolchildren in a local school

Locals playing checkers with bottlecaps. Very innovative.

Took the express boat from Soi 30 (Soi means ‘street’ in Thai) to the King’s palace for 17 baht. (Note: the locals will try to convince you to take the tourist tour boat for 200 baht. In my opinion, the express boat is good enough as there will be a tour guide on the boat explaining the various historical sites as the boat cruises along the river)

Many Thai Chinese live by the river. They are known as the 'river people' because they came to Thailand by river and subsequently, built their homes around the river.

King's palace

Visited the King’s palace (Entry fee = 300 baht. Note: Slippers and sleeveless clothing are not allowed. The palace closes by 4 pm)

Gold-gilded interior

I love taking pics of doors and arches

Hand-painted walls

Playing with the colour accent mode in gold

Sleeping Buddha at Wat Po

Subsequently, took a tuk tuk to Wat Po where the sleeping Buddha is located (Entry fee = 50 baht. Wat Po is located adjacent to the King’s palace but the entrance to the palace is located at the opposite end of Wat Po)

Khao San

Took a tuk tuk to Khao San. Khao San is a backpacker’s haven. There are lots of pubs, eateries and roadside stalls.

You can get anything in Thailand including certificates, student cards and driving licences

I think we ate roadside food almost every meal. It's the best way to experience the best local food a country has to offer, no?

Noodle soup with chicken. The Thais love their noodle soup. Prior to this trip, I thought Thais ate tom yum gong, pad thai and pineapple fried rice as their staple diet. My perspective has changed.

Got a full body massage at one of the massage parlours in Khao San. We paid 230 baht for a full body oil massage. We subsequently realised that the price was dirt cheap. Most other places charged a minimum of 300 baht for a full body oil massage and at least 200 bath for a foot massage.

Khao San at night. After our satisfying massage, we stepped onto the streets again and noticed that the sun has set.

Lots of temporary roadside "pubs" around

After dinner, we headed to Distil Sky Bar, the Dome at State Tower. My expectations were definitely not let down.