48 Hours in Bangkok
With only 48 hours in Bangkok, we were on the go from the minute our plane landed. This was our first taste of the modern world in months, and we were going to soak up every minute!
Check out our photos from our short visit to one of our favorite Asian cities that truly has it all!
We started out at Erawan Shrine, a holy Hindu shrine smack in the middle of the most commercial section in Bangkok. The juxtaposition of people praying and lighting incense with a Gucci store directly behind them was very strange to see.
Worshipper at Erawan Shrine.
Just a few feet from the shrine, we climbed steps to an elevated walkway that connects all of the malls in the city. From the walkway, we could see this Snoopy exhibit on the street.
Bangkok traffic from above.
We stopped at one of the many malls...to search for...and hopefully find...after two months...a theatre playing Gone Girl !!!
Dammit. No Gone Girl at this mall. But check out this scary wax figure we found. Either Stephen is shrinking or Tom Cruise looks about four inches too tall.
After missing the start of the 4:30pm showing at another theatre, we sprinted to the Central Embassy Mall. Little did we know, this was one of the most expensive movie theaters in the world. But after searching for two months, we (and by we, I mean me) couldn't wait any longer.
After hitting the free buffet, we cozied up in our assigned seats for the start of the show.
After watching Gone Girl, we hurried home for dinner at our hotel restaurant, Nahm. Nahm is actually rated the #1 restaurant in all of Asia!
Stephen ordered a Tom Yum martini to start. Sounds better than it tasted...
The Thai food was delicious, but as usual, very very spicy. It probably didn't help that I started the meal by eating what I thought was a green pepper, only to quickly realize it was actually a chili pepper!
The pork dish above was the winner. Simply amazing.
Not sure where they got the idea (me), but someone told them (me), that is was Stephen's birthday. He had no idea what was going on...
The next day, we hit a few sights in the morning before getting in some pool time and heading to the airport. First up, the Grand Palace.
This palace guard looks like he is hiding something...
Next up, Wat Pho and the famous reclining Buddha.
After a long day of sightseeing, we decided to hit the town. It wasn't quite Hangover II, but we started the night where the movie ended--Sky Bar, at the 64th floor of the Lebua Hotel.
Great views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya river, but as you can imagine, drinks are insanely expensive.
After drinks, we decided to hit up Chinatown for some street food.
The street was packed with people and so many different food stands. It was hard to decide what to eat. Mmm....shark fin's cartilage.
Not sure what these are...
After a quick google search, we found out they are a smelly fruit called durian.
Ginger ale and bottle-cap checkers anyone?
After eating some roasted duck and noodles (both so so), we had some mango sticky rice. IT WAS AWESOME.
Stephen had to forcefully remove me from the stand before I ordered more.
After stuffing our faces, we took an auto rickshaw to the Rachadamnern Stadium to see a Muay Thai boxing match.
We sat a few rows from the ring, and settled in for a night of beer and Muay Thai. The weight classes ranged from 120-138 pounds!
Ding ding ding...we have a winner.
Nice short shorts.
After the main bout ended, we were quickly ushered to a tunnel under the stadium to take pictures with the champ. Not sure he looks too happy that we brought beers into the photo.
The next morning, with feet tired from trekking all over Bangkok, we relaxed in the spa at our hotel. Lo and behold, it was a Como Shambhala outpost - our favorite!!
If you are ever looking for an affordable, luxury hotel in Bangkok, look no further than the Metropolitan by COMO. Highly recommended for the price. Also, shout out to our amazing concierge. The day after his wife gave birth, he gave us a ride around the city after his shift ended.
The jacuzzi in the spa.
Okay, off to Siem Reap in Cambodia!