We’re in Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit– Thats the official name of Bangkok!
We arrived at 12:30 PM. Since we already had Heena’s visa done at home, immigration was a breeze and we did not have to wait in line for the visa on arrival, which was just as well good because it was chaotic.
We collected our bags and got some cash from an ATM at the airport. Inside the airport, there were a lot of people holding yellow signs that read: ‘Airport Taxi’. When I inquired with them, it was not a cab service, instead it was a limo service that cost thrice compared to a regular cab. Pass. As soon as we exited the airport, a few guys accosted us with more taxi/limo offers – the same jacked up rate. Instead, we walked to the taxi-service counter (really a table where a lady will write your destination on a piece of paper and give it to the cab driver and charge you B50 for the service. There was no other way of getting a cab). We were quoted a flat price (tolls and service fee all included, to be paid to the driver upon arrival at destination) and they wrote our destination on a piece of paper (in Thai) and gave it to a cab driver. We loaded our bags in the cab and we were off! The cab was a Corolla and ran on CNG, so there was space for only one suitcase in the trunk and the other we put in the front.
We started driving on the expressway and it was our first look of Bangkok! The expressway was good and well maintained. We were at our hotel in ~40 minutes flat. Almost hit no traffic.
We had arrived at our hotel, the Royal Orchid Sheraton, at 1:30pm. Our room was not yet ready since the hotel was full because of a destination wedding. Since we were staying in the hotel towers we were taken to the 26th floor to wait in the towers lounge. Amazing views and excellent service! The staff was so courteous and helpful, we felt right at home! We were given a welcome drink (pineapple+mango juice) and a refreshment towel.
We soaked in the views for about 30 minutes while we finished our drink. The room was not yet ready. We were hungry, so we left our bags at the hotel and walked over to the Gallery Cafe for lunch. We ordered corn cakes, red thai curry and thai iced coffee for lunch, all of which was very good, especially the corn cakes.
Post lunch, we walked back to the hotel and our room was ready and we checked in. I am glad we chose to live in the towers since the view was fabulous! We could see the Chao Phraya river and Wat Arun (at a distance) from our room. We spent almost 30 minutes enjoying all the activity in the river.
This is what I enjoy the most while traveling: Watching life as it goes by its normal routine. We love it here!
Since we were so excited we decided to take a shower and venture out. We walked around the hotel area for a bit. After a while, the humidity, hot temp, jet lag, exhaustion and a feeling of being overwhelmed hit me all at once. So instead of walking around, we went up to the towers lounge and enjoyed the views and just chatted about all the things we were going to see/do the next day. After a while, I just wanted to sleep.
There were three more days to explore this city!
