Published: 02.07.2018
Singapore - Thailand - BANGKOK - Ayutthaya - Korat
🎥 Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICcLiGa_vfk&feature=youtu.be
A few days in Bangkok turned into a week in Bangkok. Maybe it was also because of our cold, it didn't want to go away.
After changing accommodations, we ended up in another beautiful Airbnb.
But of course, we didn't just stay in our accommodation. We took the Skytrain to the city center. Sometimes we got caught in rush hour - bad timing! The bus usually didn't come and the train was so crowded that there was nowhere to hold on. But we couldn't fall anyway with the crowds of people. At times like this, you can really feel the 14 million people. Somehow we both knew that Bangkok is big, but when we visited the Skybar on the Lebua State Tower in the evening and enjoyed a view of the entire city, we both realized for the first time how big Bangkok really is. Incredible, as far as the eye can see, just the city. Impressive!
Another great experience was watching a Muay Thai fight. Especially me (Emely) as a former recreational Muay Thai fighter, I was excited to see it at its birthplace with professional fighters. As luck would have it, we were once again in the right place at the right time. Because we went to the old Rajadamnern Stadium on the day when the most important fights were taking place at that time. Of course, we had no idea. These fights were even broadcast on Thai TV! And there we were on the screen 😅. The best Muay Thai fighters in Thailand were fighting, including legends and new talents. Everything was happening that day. The cool thing was: we were able to negotiate a great deal and got our seats at a discounted price.
Besides a knockout and a bloody forehead, all the fights were very exciting because we had a professional fighter sitting next to us who gave us background information. Perfect! But even more exciting was watching the locals in the stands. They bet like crazy and then go completely crazy. It really creates an atmosphere in the whole stadium. Just awesome!
As exciting as the night in Bangkok was once again, we also enjoyed some culture during the day. For example, we visited the reclining Buddha in Wat Pho temple. The 46-meter long and 15-meter high Buddha is very impressive. It's gigantic when you stand next to it. We already thought it was big, but when you stand next to it, it's even bigger than expected.
In addition, we observed the hustle and bustle on the streets and watched the Germans lose their football match.
Although we have been in Bangkok for a week before, we were never bored this time either. On the contrary! We were still able to discover and visit something new. The great thing is: there is just as much to experience around Bangkok as there is in Bangkok itself, such as the Maeklong Railway Market. This is 1.5 hours away from Bangkok in the town of Samut Songkhram. We went there by minivan and visited a market that takes place on still active train tracks. This market has been there for several hundred years and was already there before the tracks were built. Since it was so popular with the locals and it was decided that tracks should be built there, the traders had no choice but to move, but they decided to stay in the same place. Times were agreed upon with the train. So the train passes through the market nine times a day in slow motion. At this time, everything is quickly cleared from the tracks and the umbrellas are folded. After the train has passed, the umbrellas are quickly opened again and the items are put back in place. Now the market is not only popular with the locals, but has also become a tourist attraction.
It was once again a great time in Bangkok, but now we have to get going again. Because we are getting too comfortable and lazy.
Our next plan is to travel to Chiang Mai in one week, crossing the country with various stops. Of course, we will take you with us on this adventure and report in detail. 😊