Travel Diaries 3: PART 2 OF 2
I stayed at the Nouvo City Hotel for 4 days. I am so happy about my choice. I am very satisfied with the services and amenities of Nouvo City Hotel PLUS it is located not only near to the conference venue but also to a number of Bangkok City’s attractions. Nouvo City Hotel is a boutique hotel in old City Bangkok (known as Banglamphu) near Khao San Road.
I left Manila (NAIA) last November 29 at 2:50pm and arrived in Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand’s main international airport at 5:45pm. I stayed at the airport for about an hour upon arrival for few reasons – currency exchange, phone charging, and just sat down at the airport lobby getting the hang of the Thailand atmosphere hehe . I arrived at the hotel past 7 in the evening.
my room…
After a jamp-packed schedule on the first day, I went to Sathorn Road to attend Worship Services at the Iglesia Ni Cristo place of worship. I walked for a while and grabbed something to eat for dinner in of the street food stalls along the way. I rode a taxi going back to my hotel.
selfie before reviewing introductory notes early in the morning – Day 1 of the workshop
ready, set…
…go! first breakfast at the hotel’s Canal Restaurant – stir-fried noodles, chicken sausages, egg, rice
Day 2 breakfast – cinnamon bread, salad and fruits. I also had tomato soup and buttered toast.
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One-Day Bangkok City Tour
Now, lemme show you some bits and pieces of what happened during my one-day city tour. On December 2, I woke up early, dress up in my most comfortable outfit, and ate breakfast at the hotel. Armed with a small map from the hotel, I went to the first destination – The Grand Palace. Unfortunately. the Palace was closed at that time for mourners and tourists for a merit-making ceremony to mark the 50th day of the passing of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej
a peak of the Grand Palace
Next in my itinerary was Wat Pho, also known at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It is located right behind the Grand Palace. Entrance fee was 100 THB with free bottle water 🙂
a generous serving of Pad Thai for dinner , loved it!
in my background – tourists, backpackers
row of street markets at Khao San Road
5 lessons learned from this trip:
- When travelling for the first time, always research in advance – reviews and tips are all over the Internet in this modern day and age, anyway
- Learn few phrases and greetings in the local language of the place you are visiting. I was not able to do this beforehand.
- Always be careful with your belongings. Be alert! Beware of pickpockets and scams.
- Secure a map to help navigate the place easier. I avoided asking questions, I just refer to the map. But I forgot to secure a public transportation map at the airport. I should have saved few bucks I was able to know how to take the train or bus, rather than taking taxis and tuk-tuk.
- Try local food, and buy local goods.