The semester’s over, grades are in, and we’re free for the next 4+ weeks! (Well, sort of. I’m helping OEG with 2 orientations in Bangkok, but that’s not until 11 Oct.) We booked the overnight train to pick us up in Lampang and take us to Bangkok for a few days before heading to some sandy beaches. Turns out the night train is our new favorite way to travel. It’s cheap, cozy, and air-conditioned.
We unknowingly booked a Japanese-style car, which is entirely the way to go (only available on the Chiang Mai-Bangkok trains 13 & 14). Instead of having seats turned into beds with each side open to a middle corridor, this train has two bunked beds open to each other in a doorless room open to a corridor on the side. It's much more private and quiet.
The overnight trains tend to run hours late, but we still arrived in Bangkok in the morning and checked into New Road Guesthouse. We opted for the cheapest room which turned out to be a bunk bed in a room barely bigger than the bed. No a/c, no windows, and no private bathroom, but it was only $8. Oh yeah, that’s how we roll.
We dropped our stuff off and headed out for some errands. I had to meet with OEG about orientation, and I wanted to pick up some of Nancy Chandler’s awesome maps. Dig it! Afterwards, we strolled through Bangkok’s huge and gorgeous Lumpini Park. These border collie-sized monitor lizards were hanging out right beside one of the busiest streets!
A Chinese pagoda on the lake:
I’ve been dying to see some of the famous markets near Bangkok so we headed out the next day on a tour of Damnoen Saduak floating market and a market built on railroad tracks (as seen on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations).
I was a little disappointed that this particular market was a total tourist trap. It was fun to see, but I was looking forward to a real Thai market. Alas, it’s my own fault—I totally should have done more research. Mai pen rai!
An unexpected interlude in the tour was a boat ride down a quiet canal. Awesome!
Next stop: Maeklong Railway Market! This market in Samut Songkram is called Talad Rom Hoop, which literally means the pulling-down-awnings market. At first glance this is just an ordinary local market, but if you look closely you’ll see it’s set up on railroad tracks.
Eight times a day when the train comes barreling through, each shop has to clear out their little area so it won’t be whisked away to the next town.
Even though it was only a half-day tour, the heat and walking left us exhausted. We had a low-key dinner at a sketchy vegetarian restaurant on Khao San Road and headed back to our closet of a room. Overall, a good start to a winter vacation.
We unknowingly booked a Japanese-style car, which is entirely the way to go (only available on the Chiang Mai-Bangkok trains 13 & 14). Instead of having seats turned into beds with each side open to a middle corridor, this train has two bunked beds open to each other in a doorless room open to a corridor on the side. It's much more private and quiet.The overnight trains tend to run hours late, but we still arrived in Bangkok in the morning and checked into New Road Guesthouse. We opted for the cheapest room which turned out to be a bunk bed in a room barely bigger than the bed. No a/c, no windows, and no private bathroom, but it was only $8. Oh yeah, that’s how we roll.
We dropped our stuff off and headed out for some errands. I had to meet with OEG about orientation, and I wanted to pick up some of Nancy Chandler’s awesome maps. Dig it! Afterwards, we strolled through Bangkok’s huge and gorgeous Lumpini Park. These border collie-sized monitor lizards were hanging out right beside one of the busiest streets!
A Chinese pagoda on the lake:
I’ve been dying to see some of the famous markets near Bangkok so we headed out the next day on a tour of Damnoen Saduak floating market and a market built on railroad tracks (as seen on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations).
I was a little disappointed that this particular market was a total tourist trap. It was fun to see, but I was looking forward to a real Thai market. Alas, it’s my own fault—I totally should have done more research. Mai pen rai!
An unexpected interlude in the tour was a boat ride down a quiet canal. Awesome!
Next stop: Maeklong Railway Market! This market in Samut Songkram is called Talad Rom Hoop, which literally means the pulling-down-awnings market. At first glance this is just an ordinary local market, but if you look closely you’ll see it’s set up on railroad tracks.
Eight times a day when the train comes barreling through, each shop has to clear out their little area so it won’t be whisked away to the next town.
Even though it was only a half-day tour, the heat and walking left us exhausted. We had a low-key dinner at a sketchy vegetarian restaurant on Khao San Road and headed back to our closet of a room. Overall, a good start to a winter vacation.
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