🇹🇭 Arrived in Bangkok (our 15th stop on our world trip)

On the morning of February 22nd, we arrived in Bangkok from Chumphon by night train. Still somewhat (very) tired, we headed to the metro and found our way into the city. Our accommodation was located in Chinatown. We got off at the MRT Station Wat Mangkon and made our way through Bangkok's narrow alleyways. It was quite a hustle and bustle. There were stalls, people, and scooter riders (some fully packed) trying to squeeze through the narrow street. And there we were, with our big backpacks, I can't even put into words how many different smells filled my nose at that moment. It took a while until we finally reached our accommodation: Mangkon Hostel. We could only check in at 3 p.m., so it meant waiting and killing time again, by now we are experienced in that. Next door there is a café where we ordered a coffee first. We had the opportunity to freshen up and change in the bathroom for a moment. We passed the time sightseeing. Of course, we were drawn to the water again. The pier was very close by. The sun was shining and we walked quite a few steps until it was finally 3 p.m. and we could get into our room.

The accommodation seemed to be very new, which was later confirmed. The building was located in a side street, we had a nice, bright room with a wardrobe, a large bathroom, and plenty of storage space. Downstairs in the lobby there was a water dispenser (hot/cold water), snacks, and instant coffee. We lacked nothing. Furthermore, the location in the old town was ideal for avid walkers like us. Places of interest like Wat Pho Temple and the Grand Palace were within walking distance of 3-4 kilometers.

Finding food was not a problem either. Street food was everywhere. The days flew by. Bangkok surprised us positively, yes, it can be dirty, loud, it stinks, and the traffic is terrible, but there are things that simply work in Asia, like nowhere else in the world. Furthermore, the temple complexes were simply incredibly worth seeing. We visited Wat Pho, which we liked the most by far. It costs 200 baht per person and appropriate clothing is required (as of February 2023). The highlight is the large, golden, reclining Buddha. Coffee was also distributed for free to the visitors. A nice gesture.

Not far from the temple is the Royal Palace, also known as the Grand Palace. There are, of course, many tourists here as well. Nevertheless, we didn't have to wait long anywhere. The dress code is a bit stricter here. Tight-fitting pants or shorts that only cover the knees are not enough. Long pants and a top that covers the shoulders must be worn. We also had to buy masks in the shop, although we quickly realized inside that no one was wearing masks! The entrance fee was high: we paid 500 baht per person (as of February 2023). And we visited the sight in less than 60 minutes! And we didn't just rush through, believe me. For that, the entrance fee is damn high. Many paths are off-limits to visitors.

On the last day, we visited the Golden Mount or Wat Saket. The entrance fee is 100 baht per person (as of February 2023). Completely acceptable. Once you have climbed the 344 steps to the top (which is not very demanding), you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Bangkok. Furthermore, it was not very crowded and we could take our time and enjoy the view. Inside, there are seating areas and vending machines 😜

Oh, by the way, we could easily leave our big backpacks in the accommodation. Our flight to the next country was the next day (26.02.23) at 6:40 am. We decided to save money on another night in the accommodation and stay at the airport. In the evening, we ordered a Grab to Don Mueang Airport. It cost 12.46€ for a 45-minute ride. At the airport, we had dinner (prices are expensive there) and then looked for a cozy spot. We found one in the waiting area. We pushed the seats together towards the back, so that we practically had a small lying meadow next to each other. It was a bit chilly (and bright), but with thick socks and long clothes, it was bearable. In contrast to Athens, we were able to sleep for a few hours at the airport in Bangkok.

There was one thing we had completely forgotten until then... and that was to book the onward ticket. When we were in line to check in the next morning, we were waiting for the ticket. Chris had quickly ordered it just after we "got up". Now we were almost up and close and the ticket was nowhere in sight. We were really nervous! But suddenly it was there!! 🥳 and then no one wanted to see it 😂 we were asked when we would leave, but the airport employee naturally didn't want to see the onward ticket 😮‍💨

6:40 am... we're on the Air Asia plane... Taiwan, here we come 🥹