Our trip to Bangkok (part 4)

Part 4

On Friday

I forgot to mention that when we were at MBK we specifically wanted to purchase blank DVD鈥檚 and blank CD鈥檚 but these prices were a fraction more expensive than at home in Oz, and they are made in Thailand?. Also my boyfriend wanted to purchase a couple of pairs of runners here as well, Nike at MBK were about 80aud (made in Thailand) pretty much the same price as back home (for a basic pair) so he just decided to wait鈥ntil we got back home. Just in passing when we were in Phuket 3 years ago each pair of Nike he bought (and he is still wearing them today) were about 25aud each.

The Paragon Department Store (very very nice inside with a good food court) my boyfriend also wanted to buy a pair of Doc Martins men鈥檚 shoes and they were 180aud (they used to be made in England and were 180aud, now there made in Thailand and still 180aud so naturally he didn鈥檛 buy) store is a very upmarket department store, was very similar to a David Jones and so was the Robinsons Department store (which I made mention of earlier) both quite expensive by holiday standards. Also happened to be dropped off in front of the Peninsula Plaza (as opposed to the Peninsula Hotel which is actually where I asked to be driven too) this was extremely upmarket where all the original bags and glasses etc could be purchased along with the matching price

all these Department stores were terrific inside and extremely upmarket and well presented, just lovely.

I had a look at the Oriental Hotel very nice. The Peninsula also very grand and nice but if I was given a choice I would choose The Oriental. We actually had to cancel our Dinner at the China House (Oriental) on the Wednesday due to us being ill. I had booked this by Email 3 months prior for Peking Duck. This was really disappointing and was going to be one of our many highlights of the trip.

We (once again) caught a Taxi and asked him to take us to Chinatown. As we were driving along I looked up and in front of me and above the shops were all the signs in Chinese and you just new that you were in Chinatown it was almost like you just appeared somewhere else. When we hopped out, the atmosphere was just raw it was really different to any other part of Bangkok. It was people busier either side of the streets, cars parked both sides and just a real hive of activity. The street vendors had there wares on tables and food as well. The odours were perhaps more pungent than in town but not necessarily offensive, just Chinatoewn.

I noticed that some of the tables were stacked with cooked seafood all in bowls and I touched the bowls and they were warm. There were also flies covering some of the crabs. There were all types of food some I couldn鈥檛 even recognise I guess these were for the locals. Some looked like entrails. The side streets were full of people and wares and im sure if we had ventured down these streets we would possibly have found where everybody says that there is good seafood to be had. But what I did see at this point was definitely for local consumption, not for my stomach

If you want to buy gold then this is the place to go. Every 6th approx. shop was a gold shop. Lots of Chines herb shops and sitting at little tables on the street what appeared to be vendors selling some king of lottery ticket they were everywhere. But no one annoyed you, you just walked along or stopped.

I truly would have like to have stayed here a lot longer than what we did, but sadly we both still felt under the weather so we decided to catch a taxi back home. This took 陆 hour to hail one down that actually wanted to go to the SGS (Sukhumvit Road) . As soon as I opened the door I thought I would try a new tactic and said 400baht to Sheraton G.S. he hesitated for a split second then said yes. I was soooo happy. This was going to be a problem if we couldn鈥檛 get back so just be prepared. This was only at about 5.30 in the afternoon and they say that Chinatown doesn鈥檛 really get going till the evening. It is also very hot. Just remember to wear light clothing always forget that heavy material because you think it will look more appropriate, people just don鈥檛 look at what your wearing anywhere. They are all built for comfort.

I would definately go back and spend so much more time in Chinatown this was one of the main places that I wantd to visit,

next time I will find those good food areas. This is one of the focal points of Bangkok.

Our trip to Bangkok (part 4)

Hi cheezepops,

Thanks again for another wonderful post and the information on Chinatown. Really looking forward to visiting there.

Sarah

x

Our trip to Bangkok (part 4)

Sarah

Thanks for your input, it really is quite a task, but however an enjoyable one. I am trying to be as descriptive as possible...but prob. come out sounding lik an idiot LOL

Cheryl

no way do you sound like an idiot- your reports are great to read

Thanks Maz1

Did you get all the info about the Starwood Priv. Card

Cheryl

I would be interested to know,on your next trip to BKK would you stay at SGS or maybe somewhere else.I get the impression that it wasn%26#39;t up to your expectations.

sure did- thanks chez - replied on No.3

Cheryl,

Please don%26#39;t think that for a moment, I%26#39;m really enjoying them. You are descriptive but that%26#39;s what makes them so interesting. You made Chinatown come alive. Felt like I was (almost) there.

Please keep them coming. I leave on the 12th so will enjoy reading every single one until then.

Sorry you were ill in your next report, not pleasant at any time, let alone when you are on holiday. Lets hope it%26#39;s a one off and you are now feeling so much better.

Take care and happy travels

Sarah

xx

Hi Paulrogers

Hope you and yours have a fantastic trip. Still love the Sheraton, however on the last day Sunday we had lunch at the JW Marriott which is along Sukhumvit Road about amile past the Sheraton (go inside and have a look) this is the Lobby that I would have liked to see in the Sheraton (this to me being a Luxury Collection Sheraton is what it should have looked like, and Im not being picky) They too have the security guards looking under the car for bombs etc when a car or taxi arrive, they too open the doors when you walk into the Lobby.

Didnt look at pool area though, the Sheratons would be very hard to beat I figure.

We viewed the rooms upstairs (general rooms) and they are all being renevated, whereas they are not as big the Delux Rooms they are still quite OK. We had a meal for lunch in the Cafe/Restaurant downstairs and it was just a simple meal, I had French Onion Soup, Ceaser Salad, and a Turkey Club Sandwhich the presentation, the actual taste of the food was so good in fact that when we go to Bangkok again we would definatly consider the JW Marriott.

When you are strolling down Sukhumvit road it is just past the Landmark Hotel on your Sheraton side just call in, you will be pleased that you did. Let m know what you thought of it. Do have lunch there one day you will be quite delighted and pleased that you did.

chezepops

Great that you enjoyed yourself. Reports like this often help tpo get over the Bangkok Blues. That sickness that most everybody seems to get when they get back home.

I like you descriptions especially China Town I eat there normally at least once every trip and I was ';walking down the street';as I read your report.

Thanks for taking the time to put these very good reports on the board.

Great Reports Cheryl, I am really enjoying reading them. Think you should go on another holiday just so we can read your reports haha

Cathy