Day 7. Getting Lost (and Poor) in Bangkok

August 25, 2012
Day 7

After seeing the Reclining Buddha, we decided to either visit Chatuchak market or MBK mall for our souvenir hunting. Armed with the Bangkok map, we checked locations of both areas and since Chatuchak is a bit far off from Khao San Road, we decided on MBK.


THE LEGENDARY BUS No. 47
Exiting from Wat Arun, we asked around what bus to take to MBK. A good vendor mentioned that we would take Bus no. 47 when we crossed the street on the far end. Good thing, bus stops have the list of bus that take the said stop so we waited (and waited and waited some more) for the legendary bus no.47.

Though we have options of taking the tuktuk or taxi, we are afraid to take it since we have read blog posts of how these drivers take much out of foreigners money and charged you ten-fold of what locals pay. We have confirmed this as we wait for Bus no. 47, as we hear a tuktuk driver offering a group of tourists for a Bangkok tour for a whooping 4,000 Baht. Though they are 4 in the group, a 1,000 Baht is weirdly high for a tour.

Vietnam and Cambodia still have the friendliest tuktuk drivers. 

It took us about an hour before we eventually hop on board Bus no.47.  One, it not airconditioned so prepare yourself to sweat (if it is too hot) or be squeezed since bus no.47 seemed to be once in a blue moon. However, because of the good highways Bangkok has, the travel is a breeze. The streets are lovely, too, passing by art after art.

MBK

Since it was around 2 in the afternoon when we arrived at MBK (after missing the stop in front of it) so we decided to look for a restaurant before the actual shopping (see Food trip here).

MBK is much like 168 in Divisoria or the St. Francis Square in Mandaluyong (about 5 times more). Souvenirs are located at the third floor, while restaurants are located at the 6th floor, called Flavors of Asia. Electronics are at the fourth floor while boutiques can be found at the 5th floor. It would definitely take you a whole day to see the whole of MBK, but since it was late then and we wanted to get a good rest before our flight back to Manila, we just proceeded with our mission of buying souvenir shirts for our family. T-shirts cost about 99Baht, with different designs and sizes.

Inside MBK

MBK Marker

Colorful taxi

TAKING THE BUS BACK TO KHAO SAN ROAD

We decided to head back to Khao San Road by 6:00pm. However, we did not anticipate our previous experience with Bus no. 47 and it took us about 2 hours waiting for it. :( We were dead tired, poor (because of the shopping) and hungry since we would like to grab food in Khao San. Squirting our eyes every time we see a bus coming our way, just to check if it bus no. 47 because we are agitated in waiting for it and finally resting. Though taxis and tuktuk are all over, we still opted to wait for the bus since we are too afraid to be bankrupt upon reaching Khao San.

After few minutes, we saw ourselves crossing the street and finally reaching our last destination, Khao San. We looked around and found ourselves munching street food, trying out the roti (again) and walking around Khao San for the last time. We also managed to set the airport pick up from one of the tourist offices.

To end up the day, we treated ourselves with the biggest YAKULT we can ever find. :)

YAKULT!!!!

Next: Food Trip in Bangkok

Day 7. Wat Pho: A Lengthy Experience

August 25, 2012

Day 7.

After a not-so-good start in Bangkok and sleeping over it, another day has come to wander around the city. Since we are on a tight budget, we cannot make more mistakes, thus, we exchanged our dollars to baht in these legit banks along Khao San Road. 

Exchanging Dollar (or Peso) to Thai Baht

There are many money exchangers (Pinoy term for foreign currency exchange) along Khao San Road and they have roughly almost the same exchange rate for dollars to baht. Also, there are several exchange stalls that turns your Philippine Peso to Thai Baht. During our visit, the exchange rate from dollar to Thai baht is 30, while Peso to Thai Baht is 0.50. 

I managed to take some pictures of the exchange stores during our trip and you may look for them along Khao San Road. 

Walking Tour starts

From Sawasdee Bangkok Inn, or any hotels along Khao San Road, you may walk towards the major tourist spots in Bangkok - The Royal Palace, The Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Pho or the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Though we would like to visit Wat Arun, which you can reach by crossing a river by ferry, we decided to diss it, instead, go to MBK mall to get souvenirs. 

We did not enter the Royal Palace since we find it a little less interesting after we see the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh and we decided to visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha - Wat Pho. 

From Khao San Road, you need to take the Chakkapong Road, near the police station. Turn on your left and walk towards the monument. Cross the street and you will see the park. Walking further along, you will pass by the National Library, Independence Monument, several government building and the Royal Palace. Wat Arun is basically located at the "back" of the Royal Palace, if you would take the road we took. Cross the street and turn on your right and you will see the entrance to Wat Arun. 

View of the Royal Palace from the Park

TIP: Do not entertain the tuktuk driver that will offer you a tour. One, its too pricey and two, they will drop you on a jewelry store because they will have commissions on your purchase. Lastly, they will make stories of the tourist spots being closed because its holiday and thus, they will take you on a different trip. (This is based on what we hear while walking along the National Road). 

WAT PHO: GIGANTIC RECLINING BUDDHA

Based from the blogs that I have read, proper clothing must be exercised when visiting the Royal Palace and Wat Pho. However, when we arrived there, we saw some people in shorts and slippers. Upon entrance, you need to pay 100 Baht before you can actually roam around the grounds.

Ticket Booth

Footwear are taken off when you enter Wat Pho temple, just like the many temples we have visited for the past days. No worries, bags will be given to you, where you can put your footwear inside and carry them (for those who are afraid to lose their footwear).

No joke, the reclining buddha is really looooonnnnggggg. I have to find a good spot at its end so I can emphasize its length. The whole room is wall painted - with stories after stories of Thai families, love stories and many other. I believed it described the Thai traditions. At the back of the reclining buddha, you will be metal pots which were believe to be givers of good luck if you are able to finish it and complete each one with the coins. Coins are "bought" for 20 Baht, and if my memory serves me right, it has 150+ of them. You must put coins for each pot and make sure you empty your coin bowl upon reaching the end.

Focused on the feet, then focus on the Face

ROAMING AROUND THE WAT PHO GROUNDS

There were a lot to cover in Wat Pho. You may visit the school inside the complex or proceed to the Temple of Buddhas located at the far end of the complex. Do not worry about the sounds you hear, as many of Buddhists come to Wat Pho to pray, meditate and meet.

After few hours, we decided to proceed to our next itinerary which is MBK Mall.


To be continued.. MBK Mall.

Day 6. A Continuation of Arriving in Bangkok, Thailand

August 24, 2012
Day 6.


After a whole day of travelling and being stuck on the shuttle seat, we arrived in Bangkok. However, we were not dropped off exactly at Khao San Road, so we have to ask people around how to get to our hotel - Sawasdee Bangkok Inn. Unfortunately, there were too many Sawasdee hotels in Khao San and its neighboring streets, so we ask every single one just to check we're on the right track.

We entered small and dark alleys before we saw Khao San Road. It was not a long walk, but because of the unfortunate events we encountered throughout the day, we would just like to see how our hotel looked like. We finally arrived there, and it was located at a small alley along Khao San. Great location - check.

When we were about to check in, the hotel receptionist asked us to deposit 500 Baht, for the keys and all. Since we have limited Baht that time, because we opted out to exchange small in the Poipet border to avoid scammers, they asked for dollars instead- 100 USD to be exact. Pissed off and tired, we don't want to create a commotion so we gave in. Despite the good things we were looking forward to see and experience in Bangkok, this hotel (which I DO NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL) is such a pain in the ass. They were not as helpful and friendly even in a small way. Good thing is, the room is okay and they offer free breakfast. Another saddening thing, THEY DO NOT HAVE WI-FI! While in Cambodia and Vietnam, which are not as economically stable as them, offer such facility.

So after moving our things (which we did all on our own, no helpers from the hotel), we decided to rest for few more minutes and then experience Khao San Road.


KHAO SAN ROAD

Known as the backpacker's area, it truly a street worth experiencing. Food, dance, clothes, performances aside from the many 7-11 convenience stores (I counted about 5 of them along Khao San, which is about 500-750 meters long) are everywhere. All the negativities were erased by seeing different stuff, at night, along Khao San.

Street dancing in Khao San Road

Lanterns

When you look up, what do you see? Lights, tarps and signages.

Definitely, we did!

After roaming, we finally decided to settle in and prepare for another day in Bangkok. We hoped that it would turn out fine - which it did, finally.

Day 6. A Whole Day on the Road: Cambodia - Thailand Border Crossing

August 24, 2012
Day 6.

After a fun filled and unforgettable day in Angkor Wat, its time again to leave and proceed to our final destination - Bangkok, Thailand.

I have been reading accounts on how frantic their experience is on the Thailand-Cambodia border cross is. With the goodness of the Cambodian people, I felt that it would be okay and will run smoothly. I never thought they were talking about the travel itself and not the actual border cross itself.

Our adventure started when we learned that Mekong Express and Giant Ibis, our two transport services, do not extend to Thailand. Sadly, we need to look for another transport service to get us to Thailand. Thus, we decided to take Bou Savy's partner transport. Just like the first two, they picked us up from the hotel at 8:00am and we proceeded to the bus station near Pub Street.

The bus controller checked our tickets, put our bags in the compartment and we were off to Bangkok. According to blogs that I have read, travel takes about 6-8 hours to arrive in Bangkok. Sadly, this is not true.

Unluckily, one of the passengers left her passport at the hotel they were staying at Siem Reap and we have to wait for the runner to hand over her passport. Everyone else is so pissed off with her, since your passport is a very important document, thus, it should not leave your side by any means. It took about 45 minutes before we finally left Cambodia.


Cambodian border - Exit pass

After 4 hours on the road, we arrive at Poipet terminal where we grabbed brunch and have some our money exchanged to Thai Baht. However, it is only a short stop since the border is about 10 minutes away from the terminal. We were also given a small sticker just to identify ourselves with our bus mates.

Arriving at the Poipet Border, we got our bags and we were instructed to walk to the Immigration Counters. The lines were long because there were about three buses that arrived at the same time. After waiting in line for about 30 minutes, our passports were stamped with Cambodian exit and we proceeded to Aranyaprathet Immigration Counter - the Bangkok Immigration.

Cambodian Indicator. Crossing from Cambodia to Thailand (background image, Thailand immigration)

Bangkok border - Entry Pass

We asked one of the guys we were with where we are heading next. He told us to walk straight ahead and cross the street, since the entry pass to Thailand is at the left side of the road. This time we remembered, they observe the right hand drive.

After walking for about 10 minutes, we arrived at the immigration center of Aranyaprathet. Again, lines were long since we were with the same people we had on Cambodian border. One of the immigration people is handing out entry passes that you need to accomplish before you enter the actual counters. Just like our Cambodian border cross, these entry passes were presented along with your passport.

We waited for about 30 minutes again outside the Immigration complex and then we entered the actual office. There were four lanes for the foreigners and two lanes for nationals. Sadly, the Immigration Officer on our lane seemed to have that Filipino government employee's vibe and it took us about an hour before our passports got stamped (talk about conversations on the phones, with another immigration officer and leaving his station - well, since we don't understand them, we just gave him the benefit of the doubt).

Upon receiving our stamped passports, we exited the complex and walked straight. Good thing, another man instructed us to move along and somebody is waiting for us on the end of the road. This man checked our stickers and made sure that we were on the right group. Reaching a small stop, another man asked us where we are going and we told him that we are bound for Khao San Road. He counted 10 of us and mentioned that we will be in one "shuttle" to Khao San. We hesitated but since we noticed that some of our bus mates were there, we gave in.

We settled in the van, and other epic Bangkok journey has begun. The road trip took about 6 more hours - because of the heavy traffic, road repairs and a gas station stop over. Bangkok - without its traffic, without these scammers we encountered in the Immigration counter - is beautiful. We thought that after the grueling whole day travel, nothing worse will come. But we were not prepared for more "bad" experience in Bangkok.

Day 5. Angkor Wat Day (part 2 of 2)

Since we are still full from the heavy brunch that we had and while all other tourists were off to get their lunch, we grabbed the opportunity to continue our tour to be able to get decent pictures on the temples.

Our tour resumes at...

6th stop. Banteay Kdei

It is one of the two temples that has trees' roots slowly 'eating' up the temples. From the outside, it is very similar to the first temples that we had, however, it is one of those that looked like unfinished puzzle. Our tourist guide mentioned that it was made out of sandstone, a low quality stone, thus, it looked like more of a deteriorated temple, rather than an unfinished one. However, the carvings and how the stones are crafted and put on top of each other are simply amazing.

7th stop. Ta Prohm

Probably, the most famous temple in Angkor, aside from Angkor Wat itself, thanks to the movie Tomb Raider by Angelina Jolie. Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm are reflections of one other, except that more trees' roots cover more temples and it actually looked like a movie studio. During our visit, construction is ongoing, thus, there are several parts of the temples that we could not access. Ta Prohm is definitely huge, it has an east and west gate, so its better to remember what your driver said, where will you meet him (if you don't it will cost you time and walking force, just like us!)

8th stop. Ta Keo

Though we just passed by the temple, Ta Keo very much resembles to Pre Rup, with towers and was located in a hill. Our tuktuk driver mentioned that there is nothing much to see at Ta Keo, since we already visited Pre Rup.

From Ta Keo to Bayon, you will pass by the Terrace of the Elephants and Prasat Suor Prat, twelve identical sandstone towers located at the opposite land of the Terrace of the Elephants.

9th stop. Bayon

The temple of faces - the best description of the temple. Bayon temple's towers has the iconic reflections of Khmer art and architecture because of the stone faces on them. These faces faced several directions, and what they represent is still unknown.

However, despite this, Bayon is one of the two must see temples in Angkor, aside from Angkor Wat. You have to endure a maze like climbing of stairs and it may take you longer time to cover the whole temple. Faces are basically the same, what you can see on the left side of the temple is very much like of the right. Just like Ta Prohm, it has several entrance and exit points, thus, you must ask your driver where he will wait for you.

The South Gate

10th stop. Angkor Wat

This is the ending point of the tour, as it suggests that you will be entering the Angkor Wat South Gate - the final stop of most of the tour packages. Since it was already 3pm when we got there, and we thought that we needed to see the sunset to compensate for the sunrise, we immediately found ourselves walking again to the point where our day actually started.

There were a lot of land to cover, many things to see inside the Angkor Wat, but you shouldn't miss the  inscriptions on the wall of the temple. This is the illustration of several stories in the Khmer literature. After which, you can climb at the top of one of the towers to see the whole area of Angkor. However, this site closes at 5:00pm and strict dress code is observed (no slippers, no shorts, no sleeveless shirts).

Chambers are there and it is suggested to see the whole area with a tourist guide to further understand the history of the temples. Moreso, there are four Buddha images in the temples and it is best to pay homage to these images before you leave the complex.

11th stop. Phnom Bakheng

For those who want to see the sunset to cap off their Angkor Wat adventure, Phnom Bakheng is the best place to see it. However, you must endure a steep climb to the top, or you may ride an elephant to the top of the hill where it is located.

As early as 4:00pm, many of the tourists started their ascent to the temple hill to get a good position for the sunset. Aside from the climb on the hill, another climb to the topmost temple should be done. We were not able to see the sunset, but we tried to climb on the hill, just to see the last temple. And it was well worth it.

Angkor Wat, as many of the tourist and history books would say, is very magnificent. You could never imagine how ancient Khmer people were able to design, craft, carve and put it all together and up to this time, dig, find time to put it all together and manage to keep the temples as it is now. I will never get tired of just sitting in a corner and looking at the Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples.

We will definitely go back.