Ate Sheila and I arrived at the Suvarnabhumi Airport at 11:00 PM. We should have exchanged our peso bill to baht here in Manila as they only give you half a value if you exchange your currency here at the airport where your 1 Peso is equal to .50 Baht only.
We met Sam, one of the usher from the airport who helped us book a reservation at the Orchid Resort. It is just 15 minutes away from the airport with complimentary shuttle included. It cost us just 1500 bath for the night for 2 people.
Rooms here are small but packed with basic needs. Also the place is clean with comfy rooms (beds a little hard but OK). Best of all, Got Free WiFi which is quite nice. Staffs are nice and friendly however they don't speak English but understand a few. There are lots of 7-11's nearby. There's a small noodle stand just like our Karinderya here at home.
When we arrive at the Holiday Inn Silom we were not able to check in yet as we do not have a reservation. It was our mistake though, we thought that we just need to present the free night voucher when we should have booked the room first and changed it to a free night upon arrival. | From the Orchid Resort we took a taxi ride to the Holiday Inn Silom. It took us about 30 minutes. The driver even taught us some commonly use Thai words like "Hello" Sa-wat-dee-kah (female) Sa-wat-dee-kraup (male) and "Thank you" Kob-kun-krab (female) kob-kun-mak-krab (thank you very much) and "I'm fine" - sa-bai-dee. |
Good thing the front desk and the manager were both so nice and professional. They managed to find us a room and booked us the 2 Double Bed Premier room. The room was so big for the 2 of us (each bed was big enough for 3 people our size). She even extended our free stay when she learned that we don't have a hotel to stay at on our last day in Thailand. |
What I love the most is the free buffet breakfast at the Brasserie Restaurant located at the hotel lobby. One day is not enough to experience it all, we stayed for 4 days so each day we tried a different meal. Outside the hotel you'll find a variety of traditional sightseeing attractions. We visit a "temple of the dawn" much smaller than golden palace area but not able to take pictures as it is not allowed. Silom night market opens from 9 PM till 2 AM was only a short walk away from our hotel. It was surprisingly safe in this area at night. There are lots of deaf and mute vendors. They use the calculator to communicate. You can easily negotiate with them than the Chinese vendors. |
KFC and McDonald's here do not serve rice, if they do it doesn't taste as good as ours. We shop at the Family Mart. Their prices are just like in Puregold. 7-11's are everywhere (as in each corner has a 7-11). Travel agency also flock the area. You can easily find a great deal to book a tour package and you can compare prices. Money changers are easy to find, they're like 7-11's, they're everywhere. |
On the day of the tour, the shuttle came to pick us up from the hotel lobby at 6am sharp. We were given colored stickers depending on the type of tour that we booked. We were transferred to another van together with the other tourist with the same colored sticker.
Mount Kanchanaburi is one of the largest provinces in Thailand. It took us almost 3 hours to get there. The site on the way is the same as if you're traveling from Manila to Baguio or Batangas
Mount Kanchanaburi is one of the largest provinces in Thailand. It took us almost 3 hours to get there. The site on the way is the same as if you're traveling from Manila to Baguio or Batangas
Next stop was at the JEATH War Museum. This is the main draw card of the World War II Museum and Art Gallery complex.
It features a section of the first wooden bridge, recreations of the POW barracks and random military paraphernalia. Downstairs is an exhibit of prehistoric Thailand complete with huge murals. It cost us 40 baht per person.
It features a section of the first wooden bridge, recreations of the POW barracks and random military paraphernalia. Downstairs is an exhibit of prehistoric Thailand complete with huge murals. It cost us 40 baht per person.
You'll have time to walk across the Bridge over River Kwai just outside the Jeath Museum and take some photos.
Please be careful here because the bridge has no sides or safety rails.
We stop for lunch in one of the floating restaurants down the River Kwai. They serve local foods similar to ours they just call it different names. I don't remember what it's called but it taste just like our chopsuey and afritada.
We also took the bamboo raft for a gentle float down the river to have a greater view of the area.
After lunch we went straight to the elephant camp where you can experience the unique 'elephants walk'. My first time to ride an elephant and it was the best experience ever.
They are so tamed and very friendly. Each of them respond when called by names, yes they do have names just like dogs.
Our guide was a little girl named Nam, she's just 8 years old. She was so nice so we gave here a tip after the ride. From there you can just walk straight for the river to see the Erawan waterfall.