Thailand - Bangkok -

Tag 118: Going to a funeral to which you weren't invited...
...Accidentally happened in Bangkok.

When I booked my flight to Thailand, I was not aware of the special days that I would spend in Bangkok. These were the days on which the funeral ceremony for the deceased king would take place. Upon arriving in Bangkok, it became clear that I would not be able to leave the city before the weekend, as public transportation was largely disrupted due to the festivities. So instead of the planned 2 nights, I ended up staying for 5.

All in all, it was an unforgettable time. This was due to the amazing people I had the opportunity to meet and the unique way in which the Thais bid farewell to their beloved king. The city was filled with people, yet at times it was eerily quiet, as the traffic was often at a standstill and whole streets were closed off. Free food, water, and various other items were distributed everywhere on the streets. This was a delight for our backpacker hearts :) The Thais treated us with great interest, and we were often asked to take photos together.

I am very glad that I unintentionally experienced such an eventful time in Thailand, as the Thais repeatedly emphasize that it is a "once in a lifetime experience".

After that, the journey continued, equally remarkable but in a completely different way...