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BANGKOK TRIP MUMBAI – KOLKATTA – BANGKOK – PHUKET – PATTAYA AND BACK 20 TH FEB TO 28 TH FEB 2010 BANGKOK IS THE MOST HAPPENING TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD AND HENCE WE THOUGHT OF GIVING A VISIT. WE LANDED IN BANGKOK AT 3 LOCAL TIME BY KINGFISHER FLIGHT ,THEY ARE 1 ½ HRS AHEAD OF US THAT’S 7’00 GMT . IT TOOK ANOTHER 1 HR OR SO TO CLEAR THE IMMIGRATION AND WAITING FOR THE BUS TO SUKHUMVIT. THE BUS STOP IS AT THE 1 ST FLOOR GATE 8 SO DIRECTLY HEAD FOR THAT , THEY CHARGE AROUNG 200 THB. THE ROADS ARE REALLY VERY GOOD AND CITY MUCH CLEANER BUT TRAFFIC CONGESTION STILL EXIST INSPITE OF THE EXTRA WIDE ROADS . ONE THING WHICH IS REALLY APPRECIABLE IS THE HUGE NETWORK OF FLYOVERS AROUND THE CITIES IMPORTANT LINES. TRANSPORTATION IS NOT A PROBLEM THERE ARE TAXIS , BUSES , TUK TUK SERVICES METRO TRAIN BUT MY FAVORITE WAS THE SKY TRAIN BUYING TICKETS AND TRAVELLING IS MUCH EASIER IN A SKY TRAIN. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TO BOOK A HOTEL NEXT TO SKY TRAIN STATION AND YOUR JOB IS DONE. AFTER GETTING REFRESHED WE HEADED STRAIGHT TO MBK MALL . IT’S A HUGE MALL AND ONE CAN ROAM AROUND FOR HOURS SHOPPING AND EATING. NICE PLACE *** BEFORE LEAVING THE HOTEL WE BOOKED OUR TICKETS FOR NEXT DAYS SAFARI WORLD AND ALSO BUS TICKETS FOR PHUKET. DO CHECK IN HOTEL WHICH HAS A SAFETY LOCKER AND ALSO A GOOD TRAVEL DESK. HAVING A TRAVEL DESK REALLY HELPS TO PLAN TOURS AND THEY EVEN OFFER DISCOUNTS BUT THERE IS NO SCOPE FOR BARGAINING AS THE PRICES ARE ALREADY SLASHED. WAITING FOR OUR FLIGHT TO BANGKOK AT KOLKATTA ANANTH BUYING A DISCO T-SHIRT AT KOLKATTA AIRPORT MBK MALL BANGKOK

BANGKOK FEB 2010

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hello everyone .... following is my blog on travel to bangkok .... i have tried to put some information experince , shall like to receive your comments and hope this is helpful to plan your trip ..... njoy and plz take care :-)

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Page 1: BANGKOK FEB 2010

BANGKOK TRIP MUMBAI – KOLKATTA – BANGKOK – PHUKET – PATTAYA AND BACK

20TH FEB TO 28TH FEB 2010

BANGKOK IS THE MOST HAPPENING TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD AND HENCE WE THOUGHT OF GIVING A VISIT. WE LANDED IN BANGKOK AT 3 LOCAL TIME BY KINGFISHER FLIGHT ,THEY ARE 1 ½ HRS AHEAD OF US THAT’S 7’00 GMT . IT TOOK ANOTHER 1 HR OR SO TO CLEAR THE IMMIGRATION AND WAITING FOR THE BUS TO SUKHUMVIT.

THE BUS STOP IS AT THE 1ST FLOOR GATE 8 SO DIRECTLY HEAD FOR THAT , THEY CHARGE AROUNG 200 THB. THE ROADS ARE REALLY VERY GOOD AND CITY MUCH CLEANER BUT TRAFFIC CONGESTION STILL EXIST INSPITE OF THE EXTRA WIDE ROADS . ONE THING WHICH IS REALLY APPRECIABLE IS THE HUGE NETWORK OF FLYOVERS AROUND THE CITIES IMPORTANT LINES.

TRANSPORTATION IS NOT A PROBLEM THERE ARE TAXIS , BUSES , TUK TUK SERVICES METRO TRAIN BUT MY FAVORITE WAS THE SKY TRAIN BUYING TICKETS AND TRAVELLING IS MUCH EASIER IN A SKY TRAIN. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TO BOOK A HOTEL NEXT TO SKY TRAIN STATION AND YOUR JOB IS DONE.

AFTER GETTING REFRESHED WE HEADED STRAIGHT TO MBK MALL . IT’S A HUGE MALL AND ONE CAN ROAM AROUND FOR HOURS SHOPPING AND EATING. NICE PLACE ***

BEFORE LEAVING THE HOTEL WE BOOKED OUR TICKETS FOR NEXT DAYS SAFARI WORLD AND ALSO BUS TICKETS FOR PHUKET. DO CHECK IN HOTEL WHICH HAS A SAFETY LOCKER AND ALSO A GOOD TRAVEL DESK. HAVING A TRAVEL DESK REALLY HELPS TO PLAN TOURS AND THEY EVEN OFFER DISCOUNTS BUT THERE IS NO SCOPE FOR BARGAINING AS THE PRICES ARE ALREADY SLASHED.

WAITING FOR OUR FLIGHT TO BANGKOK AT KOLKATTA ANANTH BUYING A DISCO T-SHIRT AT KOLKATTA AIRPORT MBK MALL BANGKOK

Page 2: BANGKOK FEB 2010

THERE ARE FEW RESTAURANTS WHICH OFFER INDIAN FOOD ALONG THE SUKHUMVIT BUT PERSONALLY I DID’NT LIKE THE FOOD , WELL THEY LOOK INDIAN BUT NO WHERE TASTE LIKE ONE.

PHLOEN CHIT ONE OF THE MANY STATIONS ACROSS THE SKY TRAIN NETWORK ….

THE NEXT MORNING DAY 2 WE HEADED STRAIGHT TO SAFARI WORLD/ MARINE PARK BY CAB . SAFARI WORLD HAS ALL THE ANIMALS OF THE WORLD INCLUDING THE POLAR BEAR , IT WAS AS IF I WAS SEEING NAT GEO AND DISCOVERY RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY EYES.

CAMELS ZEBRAS RHINOS … U NAME THE ANIMAL AND U SHALL FIND THEM HERE

OSTRICH … CURIOS THE ENTRANCE ONE OF THE MUST SEE PLACES

Page 3: BANGKOK FEB 2010

BENGAL WHITE TIGER ,ONE OF THE BEAUTIFUL ANIMAL ,HAPPILY BATHING TO BEAT THE HEAT

U SHALL ALSO FIND SOME HOMO SAPIENS SHOWING THEIR TEETH …..

ELEPHANTS DOING A ACT AT ELEPANT SHOW .

Page 4: BANGKOK FEB 2010

SAMBAR IMPHALA BACK BUCK NEELGAI

LIONS , NEVER SAW A PRIDE FROM SO CLOSE AND THEY SEEMED LIKE THEY ARE WELL FED …

SO MANY TIGERS … WISH I COULD SEE THEM IN SIMILAR STRENGTH IN INDIA ..

Page 5: BANGKOK FEB 2010

ORANGUTAN SHOW – BOXING MATCH BIRD SHOW

SEA LIONS AT THEIR BEST

ONE OF THEM BALANCING A SMALL STATUE AT TIP OF ITS NOSE

Page 6: BANGKOK FEB 2010

ELEPHANT PAINTING

ANANTHA FEEDING THE GIRAFFE AT FEEDING CENTRE …

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THERE IS ALSO A TERRACE MADE OF WOOD WHERE ONE CAN FEED GIRAFFE , IT HAS A MASSIVE

TONGUE IT WAS FUN NEVER SAW A REAL GIRAFFE IN MY LIFE FORGET FEEDING ONE.

SAFARI AND MARINE PARK INSIDE ROUTE MAP AND THE TICKET WITH SHOW AND TIMINGS

DOLPHIN SHOW

AFTER RETURNING FROM SAFARI WORLD WE HEADED STRAIGHT TO SOUTHERN BUS TERMINAL WHICH IS ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF BANGKOK AND WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF US WE WERE NOT SURE IF WE COULD MAKE IT BUT THANK HEAVENS WE REACHED JUST FEW MINUTES PRIOR DEPARTURE AND IN A FEW MINUTES WERE COMFORTABLE ON OUR SEATS .

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THE VIP BUSES WHICH I STRICLTY RECOMMEND ARE GOOD FOR OVERNIGHT TRAVEL , THESE ARE VOLVO MULTI AXLE WITH A 3 SEAT CONFIGURATION NOT THE USUAL 4 SEAT AS WE FIND IN INDIA , THE SEAT ARE BROADER WITH GOOD LEG ROOM , BLANKET AND REFESHMENTS ALSO PROVIDED .THE BUS ALSO HAS A MOBILE CHARGING POINT AND A WASHROOM.THE JOURNEY WAS PLEASANT AND IT TOOK GOOD 2 HRS LESS THEN WHT I WAS INFORMED.

ON A BIKE IN PHUKET … AWESOME PLACE , HERE BIKES ARE READILY AVAILABLE ON HIRE BOTH AT HOTELS AND ROADSIDE SHOPS – ALL YOU NEED IS TO FILL UP A SMALL FORM AND OFF U GO.

AFTER REACING THE HOTEL WE HAD SOME FOOD AND GOT FRESH. MEANTIME IT WAS EARLY AFTERNOON SO WE TOOK A HALF DAY CORAL ISLAND TOUR WHERE WE DID PARA SAILING AND SNORKELLING , U CAN ALSO HALT AT KAROM BEACH ON THE WAY BACK. WE LOVED DOING PARA SAILING AND I RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE SHOULD TRY IT ONCE IN LIFETIME.

SNORKELLNG WAS A NEW EXPERINCE TO ME , ONLY THING IT TAKES SOME EFFORTS TO ADJUST SO THAT THE WATER DOESN’T SEEP IN AND U ENJOY WATCHING CORALS AND FISHES SWIMMING BESIDE U. IF YOU ARE VISITING CORAL ISLAND’S VIA PHUKET THEN I ADVICE YOU TO DO SNORKELLING A FEW METRES AWAY TOWARDS YOUR RIGHT FACING THE SEA. THERE ARE BETTER REEFS AND FISHES NOT THE USUAL PLACE WHERE YOU SHALL FIND MOST PEOPLE DOING.

THE MOST IDEAL WAY TO MOVE AROUND PATONG BEACH , NO IDEA ABOUT PHUKET TOWN IS TO HIRE A BIKE FROM THE HOTEL , SO DON’T FORGET TO CARRY YOUR INDIAN DRIVING LICENCE WHICH IS VALID IN THAILAND AND DO ASK FOR HELMET FROM THE OWNER. IT IS FUN TO MOVE AROUND ON A BIKE , ONE CAN STOP AT ANY PLACE HE OR SHE LIKES AND LOT OF PLACES CAN BE COVERED.

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AFTER RETURNING FROM CORAL ISLANDSWE HAEADED STRAIGHT TO JUNG CEYLON, AS PER SOME WEBSITES IT IS BIGGEST SHOPPING MALL BUT I DON’T THINK SO . HOWEVER IT IS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MALLS I HAVE COME ACROSS , IT HAS EVERYTHING IN IT EVEN A SHOOTING RANGE CALLED MEGAFORCE.I RECOMMEND YOU TO BUY A PACKAGE WHICH GIVES OPTION OF TRYING VARIOUS FIELDS AND SWITCHING IN BETWEEN THE GUNS LIKE THE AK’S , M1’S & SNIPERS I LIKED THE M1 WITH A LASER TRACKER . I FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO SHOOT USING A AK-47 MAY BE AS IT DIDN’T HAD A SHOULDER SUPPORT WE HAD LOT OF FUN AIMING AT SHOOTING RANGE AND SWITCHING GUNS ANANTH WAS TOO EXCITED BUT IT WAS ME WHO MANAGED TO HIT BULL’S EYE , WELL HE CAN’T DENY THE FACT WE EVEN GOT A PRINT OUT OF OUR SCORE AS COMPLIMENTARY .

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HAVING FUN AT MEGA FORCE – JUNG CEYLON – PHUKET , THESE GUNS ARE SIMILAR TO ORIGINAL ONES EXCEPT THAT THEY FIRE LAZERS INSTEAD OF BULLETS

WE MOVED ACROSS THE MALL , CHECKING VARIOUS STUFFS , SOME SIGHTSEEING , BY LATE EVENING FINALLY OUR LEGS GAVE UP HMM TIME FOR DINNER. ALONG THE BEACH ROAD A SIGN OF INDIAN RESTAURANT BROUGHT SMILES ON OUR FACES , THERE’S NOTHING LIKE INDIAN FOOD AND WE WERE BADLY MISSING IT. WITH OUR STOMACH FULL WE WERE AGAIN CHARGES UP TO MOVE AROUND.

ENJOYING SOME BARBEQUE AT THE BEACH ANANTHA HIGH UP IN THE AIR

Page 11: BANGKOK FEB 2010

GO PARA SAILING THAT’S ME ………….

BEWARE PEOPLE CAN TAKE UR SNAPS FROM ANY ANGLE …. HERE IS ONE SHOWING LOT OF INTEREST

Page 12: BANGKOK FEB 2010

JAMES BOND ISLAND …. A MASTERPIECE

DAY 4 – JAMES BOND ISLAND TOUR THE BEST DAY OF OUR TRIP TO THAILAND, JAMES BOND ISLAND IS AWESOME WE HAD BOOKED A SPPED BOAT TOUR RATHER THEN A SLOWER CATAMARINE , THE POINT WAS WE CAN REACH THE ISLANDS FASTER AND SPEND MORE TIME OVER THERE. THE CAB DRIVER ARRIVED ON TIME AND GRADUALLY PICKING UP OTHER TOURIST ON THE WAY WE REACHED PAO PIA HARBOUR.

THE AIR SO CLEAN I FEEL I AM FLYING …..

Page 13: BANGKOK FEB 2010

FROM THE HARBOUR WE SET ON A SPEED BOAT TO JAMES BOND ISLAND WHERE THE MOVIE MAN WITH A GOLDEN GUN WAS SHOT. ON THE WAY WE CAME ACROSS MANY ISLANDS , THESE ARE SO BEAUTIFUL .. WISH I COULD BUILD A HOUSE ON THOSE. THERE IS SO MUCH TO SEE ESPECIALLY ONE OF THE HUGE ROCK WHICH STANDS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA. ANANTH ASUSAL STARTED TAKING PICTURES FROM ALL ENDS , WE SPEND LOT OF TIME TAKING PICTURES RATHER THEN EXPLORING, HOWEVER THEY GAVE US 1 ½ HRS OR SO WHICH I THINK WAS STILL VERY LESS.

ANANTHA WANTED THIS IN SOME OTHER PLACE ….

TIME TO TAKE LUNCH …. ANADAMAN HOTEL

Page 14: BANGKOK FEB 2010

FROM THE JAMES BOND ISLAND WE WERE TAKEN TO PANJI VILLAGE , AT THE VILLAGE THERE ARE MANY RESTAURANTS PERKED ON WOODED DESKS ON THE SEA. MAKE SURE YOU INFORM THE TOUR OPERATOR ABOUT YOUR PREFERENCE FOR VEG FOOD IMPOSSIBLE INDIAN.THEY WILL KEEP THE FOOD READY BUT IF U ASK FOR IN LAST MINUTE THEY WILL PROBABLY IGNORE AS HAPPENED WITH ONE INDIAN COUPLE , THE POOR LADY COULD STAND SMELL OF FOOD SERVED. SEEING THEIR PLIGHT WE JOINED IN AND MADE A FORMAL REQUEST TO GET SOME VEG STUFF COOKED FOR EVERYONE OF US.

SO IF YOU ARE A STRICT VEG I SUPPOSE YOU SHALL HAVE A HARD TIME WHEN IT COMES TO FOOD, PERSONALLY I DOUBT EVEN A NONVEG FOOD WOULD TASTE GOOD. I WAS MORE CONCERN ABOUT THE INGRIDIENTS THEY MUST HAVE USED SO WE PREFERRED TO STICK TO BASIC FOODS RATHER THEN TRYING SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND EXOTIC.

FROM PANJI VILLAGE WE LEFT FOR HONG ISLAND ANOTHER BEAUTY AT THE SEAS AND WHAT A WAY OF EXPLORING THEN BY SEA CANOEING. FROM THE HIGH SPEED WE WERE TRASFERRED TO KAYAK’S WHICH HOLD UPTO 2-3 PEOPLE INCLUDING A RIDER.IT WAS NICE , THERE WAS A PLACE LIKE A CAVE SURROUNDED ON ALL FOUR SIDES AND OPEN SKY AT TOP.THE CAVE OPENS DURING LOW TIDE AND CLOSES DURINF HIGH TIDE . WE WERE GIVEN A SHORT BRIEFING AND STRICLTY TOLD TO KEEP OUR HEADS LOW WHILE MANOEUVERING THROUGH THE NARROW WAYS .

GUIDE BREIFING US ABT DO’S N DON’T’S …. FR EG . THE FIRST ONE SAYS TO MIND YOUR HEADS WHEN INSIDE THE CAVES AND SECOND ONE NOT TO MAKE NOISE AS IT WOULD SCARE AWAY THE BIRDS.

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AFTER SPENDING CONSIDERABLE TIME CANOEING WE STARTED OUR JOURNEY BACK. ON THE WAY BACK WE WENT ACROSS PANAK ISLAND, THERE ARE HUGE STALAGMITES AND STALAGTITES AND ALSO OYSTER CAVE AND BAT CAVE. BUT YOU HAVE TO ADD ON THE ABOVE PANAK ISLAND TO YOUR PACKAGE IF YOU NEED TO VISIT THESE ISLANDS.

ENROUTE WE ALSO CAME ACROSS NAKA ISLAND AND FROM NAKA ISLAND IT WAS JUST A SHORT JOURNEY BACK TO PAO-PIA HARBOUR

NOTE : ALL THE ABOVE SAID ISLANDS CAN BE COMFORABLY COVERED IN ONE SINGLE DAY AND HENCE INFORM YOUR TOUR OPERATOR AS PER UR NEEDS AND FIX ITENARY ACOORDINGLY. I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU TO SKIP PANJI VILLAGE PROVIDED FOOD IS SERVED ON BOARD AND VISIT JAMES BOND ISLAND , PANAK AND HONG ISLAND TOGETHER. IN THE EVENING WE ROAMED ALONG THE PATAONG BEACH ROAD EXPLORING AND FAMOUS BANGLA ROAD.

ISLANDS LIKE THESE ARE SCATTERED ALL OVER THE PLACE SOME BIG AND SOME SMALL …

DAY 5 , THIS ENTIRE DAY WAS NOT ON THE PLAN AND THUS RESULTED IN ONE MORE DAY AT THE SEA WE REACHED MONKEY ISLAND LATE IN THE MORNING AND STARTED SNORKELLING. THIS WAS INDEED FAR BETTER AS WE WERE NOT TAKEN TO THE BEACH BUT THE CATAMARINE ANCHORDED A FEW METRES AWAY AND WITH OUR SNORKELLING EQIPMENT AND LIFE JACKET ON WWE JUMPED STRAIGHT AWAY AND BY THIS TIME I WAS COMFORTABLE DOING IT AND SINCE WE WERE AWAY FROM THE SHORE MEANS MORE MARINE LIFE AT OUR DISPOSAL. THEN WE WERE TAKEN TO PHI PHI ISLANDS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS OFF PHUKET AND MUST SEE DESTINATION. I RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE WHO VISIT PHUKET STAY ATLEAST A DAY OR TWO AT PHI PHI ISLANDS TO EXPLORE ITS REAL BEAUTY. THERE ARE LOT OF STAY OPTIONS AND SITE SEEING AND WATER ACTIVITIES TO CHOOSE FROM AS PER UR LIKING AND INTERESTS.

Page 16: BANGKOK FEB 2010

THERE ARE HUGE HOARDINGS AT THE ENTRANCE OF PHI PHI DONG ( ISLANDS ) WHICH GIVES ALL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLACES TO STAY ASWELL AS THE PACKAGES , SO U CAN CHOOSE THE ONE AS PER UR NEEDS AND BUDGET.

IN ADDITION TO HOARDINGS THERE ARE TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES AS ONE SHOWN ABOVE WHERE U CAN SELECT , THE STAFF IS FRIENDLY BUT DON’T FORGET TO BARGAIN.

Page 17: BANGKOK FEB 2010

DAY 6 – WE BOARDED A BUS FROM BANGKOK TO PATTAYA AT AROUND 8.30 AM . WE SHOULD HAVE REACHED BANGKOK BY 6.00 FROM PHUKET BUT THE DRIVER WAS BIT SLOW , SOUTHERN BUS TERMINAL IS QUIET BIG AND DOESN’T GIVE A LOOK AS IT WERE A BUS TERMINAL , IT LOOKS MORE OF A SHOPPING TERMINAL TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT COUNTERS AT THE FIRST FLOOR AND SINCE HAD ONE HOUR WE DECIDED TO GET OURSELF FRESH HAVE BREAKFAST TO SAVE TIME.

AFTER GETTING DOWN AT PATTAYA SEARCH FOR A BIG PATTAYA MAP HOARDING/ DISPLAY AND U WILL FIND IN UNIFORM AT YOUR SERVICE TO GUIDE YOU.HE WORKS FOR A SEMI GOVT TOURIST ORGANISATIONAND WAS VERY HELPFUL. HE GUIDED US TO ANEARBY TOURISM OFFICE WHICH IS JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES DOWN THE LANE. AT THE TOURIST OFFICE YOU CAN PLAN YOUR TOUR WITH EASE, THEY HAVE ALL THE INFORMATIONAND PLAENTY OF PACKAGES AS PER YOUR REQUIREMENTS.SINCE WE HAD ALREADY PREPLANNED WHAT TO SEE SO THERE WAS NO ISSUE HOWEVER SINCE WE HAD SPEND ONE EXTRA DAY IN PHUKET SO WE COULD NOT SEE COUPLE OF PLACES IN PATTAYA.

ANANTHA ALL SMILING – IN THIS PICTURE U CAN IMAGINE THE SHEAR SIZE OF THE TEMPLE.

WE BROUGHT TICKETS FOR RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT AND SANTUARY OF TRUTH. SANTUARY OF TRUTH IS ON OUTSKIRTS SO THE PICK UP DROPN WAS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE , WE TOOK A TUK TUK SERVICE TO THE HOTEL .THE HOTEL WAS OK SORT OF AND AFTER CHECKING IT WE WENT TO SUBWAY AS IT PROVIDES A GOOD ALTERNATIVE FOR FRESH SAFE FOOD OUTSIDE INDIA . I THOUGHT IT MUST BE ANOTHER ANCIENT SIDE LIKE WE FIND IN INDIA.BUT I WAS TOTALLY WRONG .

Page 18: BANGKOK FEB 2010

IT IS A ENTIRE TEMPLE CARVED OUT OF WOOD WITH DAZZLING ARTITECTURE AND THE CONSTRUCTION HAS STARTED SINCE 1983 AND STILL GOING ON.

THE GUIDE TOLD US IT WOULD TAKE ANOTHER 15 YEARS OR SO TO COMPLETE IT. FOR US WE WITNESSED A WOODEN TEMPLE IN THE MIDEST OF ITS CONSTRUCTION PHASE. IT’S A MASSIVE STRUCTURE THEY ARE BULIDING WITH SCULPTURE OF ELEPHANTS LIONS HORSES ON THE OUTSIDE AND GODS AND GODDESS FROM THE INSIDE PROMININEAMONG THEM ARE VISHNU, SHIVA BRAHMA GANESHA. ANANTHA SO EXCITED THAT NO ONE ON EARTH COULD STOP HIM FROM TAKING PICS AND HE WAS TAKING PHOTOS FROM EVERY ANGLE POSSIBLE. AFTER SPENDING AROUNF 2 HRS OR SO WE WENT TO SEE DOLPHIN SHOW IN THE TEMPLE PREMISES. IT ALSO HOUSES A FACTORY WHERE WORKERS CRAVE OUT WOODEN STATUES AND BLOCKS PATIENTLY.THESE ARE MADE IN A ZIGZAW TYPE EACH BLOCK CAREFULLY CARVED TO FIT INTO NEXT GIVING RISE TO FINAL STRUCTURE.

GIVING MY CONTRIBUTION AT THE SANTUARY OF TRUTH .

Page 19: BANGKOK FEB 2010

EVERY TEMPLE HAS BELLS

THERE ARE SCULPCORS OF INDIAN GODS AND GODDESS LIKE THE BRAHMA VISHNU SHIVA SUN MOON MERCURY MARS JUPITER VENUS AND SATURN ALL OF THEM HAND CARVED TO PERFECTION . EACH OF THESE MYSTIC PIECE OF ART ARE SURROUNDED BY BY OTHER ART FORMS BY WHICH ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE GODS THEY DEPICT , FR EG THE BRAHMA SURROUNDED BY TREES ANIMALS DEPICTING LIFE ,

SANTUARY OF TRUTH – A MUST SEE ….

Page 20: BANGKOK FEB 2010

LATE EVENING WE REACHED RIPLEYS’S – IT WAS ON THE PRIORITY LIST AND GOOD THAT IT WAS IN THE HEART OF PATTAYA. IT HAS EVERYTHING IN IT AND BETTER TO BUY A COMPLETE PACKAGE RATHER THEN GOING FOR INDIVIDUAL ONES AS IT IS MUCH CHEAPER.THE FIRST ONE WAS SCARY HOUSE , I NEVER BEEN TO ONE BEFORE AND ANANTH TOOK THE LEAD.THE SECONG ONE WAS GLASS HOUSE WHICH WAS THE BEST OF ALL SOME ROOMS WERE AWESOME , ONE OF THEM GIVNG FEELING AS IF WE WERE SUSPENDED IN SPACE.THIS ONE WAS A 4 D SHOW , 4D IN ADDITION TO 3D HAS MOVABLE SEATS WHISCH GIVES A REAL TIME FEELING BUT ITS ONLY FOR 15 MIN VERY SAD …

THEN THERE WAS ENTIRE MUSEUM OF RIPLEY’S , LOT OF THINGS TO SEE AND ONE CAN SPEND HOURS . I TOOK PLENTY OF PICS OF VARIOUS THINGS ON DISPLAY & EVEN PLAYED SOME GAMES.BY THE TIME WE WERE FINISED WITH RIPLEYS IT WAS LATE AND WE HEADED TO WALKING STREET TO GET A GLIMPSE OF NIGHT LIFE .

4D THEATRE

WHOSE MORE SCARY NOW

Page 21: BANGKOK FEB 2010

LOIUS TAUSSAD’S MUSEUM PATTAYA ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO SEE THE MARINE WORLD

NEXT DAY WE GOT UP PREETY LATE AND WITH PATTYAA ALMOST DONE WE LEFT THE HOTEL AND CAUGHT BUS TO BANGKOK. ASUSAUL ANOTHER 2 HRS AND WE WERE IN BANGOK AND CHECKED INTO THE SAME HOTEL. WE WERE LUCKY TO GET ANANTH CHARGER BACK WHICH HE HAD LEFT WHILE LEAVING TO PHUKET. THE HOTEL STAFF APPRIECIABLE FOR KEEPING IT SAFE.WE BOUGHT TICKETS FOR SIAM PARAGON WHICH IS A HUGE SHOPPING CENTRE AND SIAM OCEAN WORLD. SINCE TICKETS WERE ALREADY BROUGHT FROM THE HOTEL TIME WAS SAVED AS WE DIDN’T HAVE TO STAND IN QUEUE.

DON’T WORRY ITS BEHIND THE GLASS …. OMG THESE CREATURES R REALLY SCARRY

THERE IS A UNDER WATER WORLD AT PATTAYA ASWELL BUT THE STAFF AT THE TOURIST ADVISED US THAT THE ONE AT SIAM OCEAN WORLD IS MUCH BIGGER AND SINCE IT IS ALREADY IN UR LIST ONE AT PATTYA CAN BE SKIPPED .IT REALLY LIVED UPTO OUR EXPECTATIONS , THE FISHES , CRUSTACEONS

Page 22: BANGKOK FEB 2010

SHARKS AMAZING NEVER SAW SUCH THINGS SO CLOSE.THERS IS ALSO A SMALL BOAT RIDE WITH GLASS BOTTOM WHERE YOU CAN SEE GIANT SHARKS AND OTHER FISHES MOVING BENEATH THE BOAT. THE GUIDES EXPLANATION WAS EXHAUSTIVE HE COVERED EVERY MINUTE DETAILS AS N WHEN POSSIBLE, IT HAS EVERYTHING RELATED TO MARINE LIFE ONE CAN SPEND HRS STUDYING THE SPECIES AT DISPLAY.

OUT OF A SHARKS’S MOUTH GANESH TEMPLE

AFTER SPENDING TIME AT SIAM PARAGAON WE MOVED FOR SOME AUTHENTIC THAI MASSAGE AND IT WAS GOOD WITH OUR BONES RUMBLING BUT IT WAS QUIET RELAXING AND IT TOOK AWAY ALL THE STRESS OF OUR TOUR

IN A TUK TUK ON THE WAY BACK TO HOTEL … CHEAPEST MODE OF TRANSPORT

Page 23: BANGKOK FEB 2010

BY LATE NIGHT BEFORE RETURNING TO HOTEL I THOUGHT OF CHECKING THE EMAIL AND SKY ALMOST CREASHED ON US , THE FLIGHT WAS FULL AND WE WERE ON STANDBY. SHOCKING COZ IT WAS A SUNDAY AND WITH OTHER AIRLINES OPTIONS BLEAK WE WERE ALMOST STRANDED.WELL WE HAD TO TAKE CHANCES AND NEXT DAY WE DECIDED TO SKIP PANTIP AND HEAD STRAIGHT FOR AIRPORT. PANTIP IS A ELECTRONIC SHOPPING MARKET WHERE ONE CAN FIND MANY ITEMS AND IT WAS SAD THAT WE HAD TO SKIP IT , BUT OUR SCHEDULE WAS SO TIGHT STILL WE HAD MANAGED TO COVER LOT OF PLACES.IT WAS AN ANXIOUS 2 HRS OF WATING BEFORE WE GOT OUR BOARDING PASSES, WE RAN TOWARDS IMMIGRATION AND BOARDED OUR FLIGHT BACK.WELL YOU SEE ONE REALLY MISSES MOTHERLAND IN THESE SITUATIONS. BUT IN OTHER WAYS IT WAS NOCE IT LIKE A TADKA IN A NEATLY PREPARED CURRRY. HENCE OUR TOUR HAD EVERYTHING IN IT LAUGH , FUN ENJOYMENT ANXIETY …..

AFTER LANDING IN KOLKATTA WE GOT OUR BOARDING PASSES FORST TO MUMBIA AND SINCE THERE WAS ANOTHER 2 HRS GAP CALLED UP MY FELLOW COLLEGUE AND HAD CUP OF COFFEE. NEXT DAY WAS DUTY SO STRAIGHT TO HOME FOR A NICE HOT SHOWER , POOR ANANTH HAD TO STAY BACK AT THE AIRPORT TO CATCH HIS NEXT DAY EARLY MORNING FLIGHT TO CHENNAI.

TRANSPORTATION:

TAXI IS PREFERABLE , GET IDEA FROM HOTEL , SHOP OF APPROX. PRICE AND THEN BARGAIN WITH THE TAXI DRIVER FOR THAT PRICE RATHER GOING FOR METERED ONE, MOREOVER HE WILL TRY TO GET U SOONER AT YOUR DESTINATION TO CHECK IN NEXT PAX. SKYTRAIN IS BEST WAY TO MOVE AROUND , MOST PLACES LIKE MBK MALL SIAM PARAGON ARE VERY CLOSE TO TRAIN STOPS. TUK TUK IS ONLY FOR SHORT DISTANCES , FOR VIP BUSES CONTACT ( [email protected] ) www.transport.co.th

CALLING CARDS:INTERNATIONAL CALLING CARDS ARE READILY AVAILABLE AND PHONE BOOTHS ARE ALSO FOUND AT MOST ROAD JUNTIONS , AIRPORT ALSO HAS ONE ON FIRST FLOOR.WHEN YOU TAKE A LOCAL’S NUMBER DO ASK FOR PROPER CODES AND HOW TO DIAL THE NUMBER. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS NEED TO BE FOLLOWED WHILE DIALING ISD NUMBERS TO INDIA – IT IS DISPLAYED CLEARLY AT THE BOOTH.

FOOD : FOR VEGETERIANS THAILAND IS NOT THE PLACE AND I RECOMMEND THEY CARRY OUR INDIAN PACKED FOOD TO BE ON SAFER SIDE.WE DIDN’T FIND A SINGLE PURE VEG RESTAURANT AND I BET INDIAN ONES ARE ACTUALLY RUN BY INDIANS. THE FOOD TASTE AVERAGE HOWEVER THERE ARE MANY AUTHENTIS THAT’S FOOD PLACES PROVIDED YOU LIKE IT.FISH AND MEAT ( ALL TYPES ) IS ALL AROUND THE PLACE AND SOMETIMES U ALSO GET AN UNCANNY SMELL AROUND A EATERYAND PASSING BY THOSE IS VERY DISTURBING .HOWEVER THERE ARE MANY SUBWAYS McD’S KFC’S WHERE U CAN FEAST UPON.

NIGHTLIFE : BANGKOK LIKE ANYOTHER TOURIST PLACES IN THAILAND IS FULL OF PUBS , BARS AND DISCO’S AND UNLIKE INDIA THEY REMAIN OPEN TILL EARLY MORNING . IN PHUKET ALONG THE PATAONG BEACH ROAD IS GREAT FOR HANGING AROUND AND FOR HAVING FUN.AT PATTAYA - MIXX DISCO ON WALKING STREET 3RD FLOOR BALI HAI PLAZA.

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SAFETY : MY OPINION I THOUGHT CITIES WERE SAFER , BUT IT ALWAYS BETTER TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL . THE HOTEL YOU CHOOSE SHOULD HAVE A GOOD LOCKER SYSTEM AND DON’T KEEP ANYTHING SCATTERED PACK EVERYTHING IN BAG AND LEAVE . CHECK OUT THE LOCATION OF INDIAN EMBASSY AND THEIR CONTACT AT SUKUMVIT ROAD.

CURRENCY : ITS PREFERABLE TO CONVERT THE CURRENCY IN INDIA RATHER THEN IN THAILAND AS YOU WILL GET BETTER RATE HERE, BANGKOK BANK IN SUKHUMVIT OFFERED RATE 0.61 FOR INDIAN RUPEE ON FEB22 2010. I HAD GOT BETTER ONE FROM WEISMANN FOREX IN INDIA. SECONDLY IF YOU ARE CARRYING ANY INDIAN CURRENCY THEN SEE TO IT THAT IT IS NOT TORN, DISCOLORED AND DOESN’T HAVE ANYTHING WRITTEN ON IT ELSE IT WILL BE REJECTED.THEY ALSO DO NOT ACCEPT 1000RS INDIAN NOTES.SO PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL.

STAY : THERE ARE MANY AS PER YOUR BUDGET AND CAN BE BOOKED VIA INTERNET , JUST SURF AND U FIND ONE EASILY , FOR BANGKOK ONE ON SUKHUMVIT ROAD , FOR PATTAYA NEAR WALKING STREET AND PHUKET ALONG PATAONG BEACH OR TOWN IS BETTER.OUR STAY AT BANGKOK – NANATAI MANSION END OF SOI SUKHUMVIT 4 ON LEFT SIDE . email : [email protected] OUR STAY AT PHUKET -- @HOME GUEST HOUSE email : [email protected] [email protected] U CAN ALSO CONTACT THE FOLLOWING FOR YOUR TOUR PLANS [email protected] . AT PATTAYA U CAN CONTACT [email protected] .

MASSAGE : THERE ARE MANY SPREAD ALL ALONG THAILAND’S MAJOR CITIES JUST LIKE BARS N PUBS. HERE IS ONE PETIADA MASSAGE PETCHBORI SOI 35 NEAR BANGKOK PALACE HOTEL WHICH SPECIALISE IN THAI TYPE.

TIME TO VISIT : BEST TIME TO VISIT IS FROM NOV TO FEB , AND DURING THIS TIME VISA IS ALSO WAVERED BUT STILL CHECK ON THIS. AFTER FEB IT BECOMES HOT N HUMID , FEB FIRST WEEK ACORDING TO ME IS BEST COZ BY THIS TIME TOURIST SEASON IS RECEDING AND ITS MUCH EASIER TO GET THROUGH WITH UR PLANS.

THINGS TO CARRY : A GOOD CAMERA IS MUST , LOT OF BEACH WEAR , HOWEVER PLEANTY IS AVAILABLE , UR DRIVING LICENCE WARM CLOTHES ARE NOT NEEDED. SOME MEDICINES AS PER YOUR NEEDS. BAHT THAI CURRENCY NEED TO BE SHOWN TO IMMIGRATION OFFICER ACTUAL FIGURE MAY VARY SO CHECK AT TIME OF TRAVEL. A EMAIL COPY OF YOUR BOOKING AT THE HOTEL , CONFIRM BOOKING IS NOT REQUIRED. DON’T MAKE BOOKING ONLINE BY PAYING JUST GET A EMAIL THAT ROOMS HAVE BEEN BOKED FOR SO N SO DAYS.

THAT’S CONCLUDES MY BLOG ON BANGKOK TRAVEL …. GUYS N GALS UR FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS ARE VALUABLE TO ME.

HOPE THE ABOVE INFO ASSIST IN YOUR TRIP TO BANGKOK …

REGARDS

TRAVELLERS : JEETENDRA FROM MUMBAI AND ANATHA FROM CHENNAI BOTH WORK FOR KINGFISHER AIRLINES . ENJOY THE GOOD TIMEs