Douglas Easton Travel Blog - Douglas Easton Travel

November 12, 2008

Bangkok, Thailand

Upon arriving in frenetic Bangokok, we made our way to the beautiful Dusit Thani Hotel. The surrounding neighborhood of Silom Road is packed with shops and restaurants... one could easily spend many entertaining hours simply strolling the streets.

One of our favorite daily activities here has been a daily visit to a nearby spa... for what THE BEST massages we have ever had!!! For the giveaway price of $15, one is treated to a stimulating foot and calf massage - a welcome treat after all the walking onme does here! And for just a little bit more, the Thai traditional massage relaxes body and mind in the most delicious way.

What trip to Bangkok would be complete without shopping? We've decided to embrace that mantra and have spoiled ourselves with some custom made clothing. Anyone who's ever ordered a bespoke suit knows how enjoyable this can be. We began with a visit to two local fabric shops - one of which was world-famous Jim Thompson's Silks - where we selected the bolts we liked best. Then, our recent acquisitions in hand, we arrived for our first of three fittings with our talented tailor. The results are spectacular, and at a fraction of the cost at home!

Of course, there's much more to Bangkok than shopping. The food is phenomenal... the city is one of the world's great dining meccas. From local street vendors (if you dare) to the luxury hotels, Thai food is invariably delicious and deliciously varied. And for seafood lovers, this place is paradise: many restaurants feature tanks where you select your own fish, shrimp and lobsters, which are then cooked with whichever sauce you choose.

Yesterday, spoiling ourselves rotten, we indulged in a fabulous afternoon tea at the 130-year-old Oriental, one of the world's most famous hotels, overlooking the Chao Phrya river. The Oriental is also wonderful at night, when an elegant buffet is served on the verandah, while diners admire the small boats, bedecked with twinkling white lights, which silently glide by.

The nightlife of the city is unique. Night markets, cafes and clubs cater to every taste, from the lascivious to the merely decadent. As the hustle of the business day ends, an evening commerce cycle begins. We've enjoyed stopping into local cafes and simply people watching... seemingly around every corner there's a happening dance club or bar filled with locals and tourists celebrating the festive ambiance of the city.

Bangkok merits a lot of exploration, and the best way to see it is to get out and walk it. Of course, if one tires, it's easy - and enjoyable! - to hire a a three-wheeled tuk-tuk to take you around town. The city makes its way into your heart and soul... and we're not looking forward to leaving.

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