Khaosan Road - Mecca for Backpackers

Khaosan Road in Bangkok has been the Mecca for backpackers since the 90's. It has been featured in some movies like the Leonardo Dicaprio's The Beach and has been mentioned in a few novels. Believe me. It’s really a melting pot of different races. The vibrant noise at night and lights from different resto bars just makes me go loco! It has been a popular choice for travelers/backpackers because of it's cheap accommodation. Who would resist staying in the area where you can have a decent bed for 150Baht? Plus the fun itself staying in the area.

Oh Yes! I love Khaosan Road

The busy street

Packed with people from different races

Khaosan Road at daytime seems like another quiet part of Bangkok. All you can see is a picture of tuktuk drivers talking and offering their services and tired people with puffy eyes buying some cold drinks at the nearby 7/eleven store getting ready for whatever day tours they have in their itinerary and the rest..perhaps they're sleeping.

See how quiet it looks like.

So where are the vendors?

At night, the street is filled with vendors selling clothes, shoes, accessories, food and offering services from Thai massage to hair braids. The street is also busy with people wandering around the area to look for thing that they can find. And as for me, I got to see and experience life! I got to try the things I wanted to. Like connecting with other people in terms of culture and of course... my favorite part- good food.

Let the partee begin!

Jes @ Khaosan Road

If you are looking for a place to stay in Bangkok (especially for those who have tight budget), I recommend staying at Khaosan Road. There are lots of budget hotels and guesthouses you can choose from. Or at least stay for a night to party! :)

Mc Donalds - Sawasdee

EXOTIC DINING in THAILAND - exposed!

Thailand has been known all over the world for it's exotic food. It's printed in books, featured in television shows and scenes in movies. I had my first encounter of it when I was traveling to Aranyaprathet by train. A woman was selling food placed in the basket when I noticed that there is a pack of fried grasshopper for sale. I was speechless and my eyes brightened only to realize that some Thai passengers laughed at me because of my impression. Well, forgive me for my ignorance but I really couldn't explain what I felt when I saw the food. It doesn't look appetizing for me, infact, I lose my appetite because of that.

Looks appetizing?!

The second encounter and the most disgusting one was in Khaosan Road. We were on our way back to the hostel from shopping when we passed by this food stall selling exotic food like cockroach, grasshopper, praying mantis, scorpion and worms. The people flocked to his stall to take pictures of the fried insects..aheemm..food I should say. He was selling it for 20 Baht per pack. Jes who was so curious with how it taste like bought a bag of huge grasshopper and ate it in front of the crowd. I took pictures of him and video. A white guy even came to ask him how it tastes like and he said it taste like dried fish. I couldn't bear to see him eating and enjoying the food. The words that came out of my mouth were "EEWW" and "YUCK". I remember telling him not to kiss me unless he brush his teeth 5x and gargle. Honestly, that food doesn't have any smell at all but just the thought that it's an insect makes me feel like vomiting. I asked Jes why he didn't try the scorpion or the cockroach. He said, he already knew how it would look like or feel like since he saw that in Fear Factor. He knew that there will be juices which he can't stand at all. Hahaha, afterall, he isn't really that brave enough to eat exotic food. Besides, grasshoppers are not really that dirty since they only live in grass and rice fields unlike cockroaches wherein you really can see them in your house.

A bag of exotic food for 20 Baht

Jes' Fear Factor moment

Jes eating a grasshopper.

Nonetheless, it was still a Fear factor experience for Jes since he was able to try eating an insect. And I, the cowardly have this nice article to write about that experience. Well, who knows..at the right time, I will try to eat something exotic too. A monkey's brain? or a fly perhaps. Geezz.. I don't know..only time can tell.

Khaosan Road to Grand Palace

I asked the receptionist of our guesthouse with the directions going to the river taxi since we wanted to visit the Grand Palace. She then informed me that there's no need for us to take the river taxi since we can just walk from Khaosan road. SO there.. we used our happy feet going to the famous spot. But it was not easy. We don't know where to go and we don't have maps with us. We just depend on the street signs and of course trusting my instincts...yeah right?! okay fine! We were asking people-the locals for directions. Oh boy it was hard especially that the people we've asked does not speak english and would just point us where to go. A tuk tuk driver even offered to drive us there for 100 Baht. Whaat?! 100 bucks?! No way! So we declined and just went walking. There's this man who informed us that the Grand Palace is close because the monks are praying and inform us to go to Golden Mountain. Hell NO! I've read this type of scams so we just ignored him and walked away. Alas! We've finally seen the outer view of Grand Palace and it was magnificent! There were lots of tourist too. What strucked me was the sign that PROPER DRESSCODE should be observe and I was like wearing a short dress. hahaha.. Good thing that I am always prepared! I

brought with me a capri pants and wore it.

The ticket costs 350 Baht which already includes entrance to the coin museum and Vimanmek Mansion and several other sights around Bangkok that can be used within seven days of your Grand Palace visit. We entered the Coin Museum and were amazed with the different coins and tools and uniforms used by Thailand's royalty. I fell in love with the costumes and the monarch itself. While I was enjoying reading every information about Thailand's royal history, Jes was enjoying himself resting and feeling the coolness of the airconditioner. hahahah!!! I've learned a lot in that museum and I highly admire King Rama IX. His accomplishments are adorable!

We fall in line to enter the Grand Palace and we were given free maps. They would ask for your nationality so they can give you a map with a language that you can understand. :) I fell in love with the temples! All I ever did was took pictures everywhere despite the heat of the sun. I didn't care at all. The view was spectacular!

The Grand Palace houses Wat Phra Kaew the temple of the emerald Buddha is which is a sacred place. We took off our shoes and entered. There's a strict NO PICTURE TAKING policy. To pay respect, we followed the rule. Despite me being careful not to disobey rules and to respect their religion and their culture, Jes on the other hand wasn't. It's a big NO NO to point your feet to the Buddha and yes, he did it. He wasn't able to read the sign and he was stretching his legs. So as expected, he was reprimanded by the guard. I feel so sorry and of course disappointed with Jes with his behavior. when we went out of the temple, we saw people dipping this flower in the water. So out of curiousity, we tried it too. It was fun though coz it's like baptism for the Catholics.

There were lots of halls and nice buildings. I went to see the museum of firearms and then took pictures of Chakri Mahaprasad Hall where there were guards who wouldn't talk at all. So taking advantage of the moment, I took pictures of him. There was even this caucasian man who said "Hello" to him but was not given any response nor even a smile. Well, I'd understand since he is on duty and that may be one of the requirement.

I wanted to explore all of the complex but it was already 12 noon and it was so hot and were hungry. We had a short stop at the palace's restaurant but just ordered gatorade and water and then went out. Trust me, you'll really fall in love with the place. The structure, the design..Oh! so lovely! 350 Baht was all worth it!