COLDBREWALLEY X THAILAND PT. 1
Thailand Pt. 1 // Bangkok
Getting Around Thailand:
THAI do not always use GPS like here. They will ask you the name of the place, the address, they still won't know what you're talking about because most don't speak fluent english. Have the phone number ready for them and hand it to them and they will call the hotel directly and ask for directions. This is common in the culture and will save you so much time trying to get around. DO THIS YOUR WHOLE TRIP. Trust me.
1. Airport to Hostel: There are a few ways you can get to your hostel (the city rail is quick, and you can totally figure it out), BUT if you are like me, you are just getting off a 25 hour journey across the country in an floating piece of metal with jetlagg messing you all up, I RECOMMEND getting outside to the taxi service. There will be a box to pull a ticket (much like the DMV) so you are going to a taxi at random which will prevent you from being scammed or trying to pick a best price. The taxi will be metered helping you know exactly how much you're paying.
2. City Taxi: When you're in Thailand, make sure you tell your taxi driver METER? so they can reset the meter and you can see how cheap it is. If you are not in a rush, this is the cheapest and best option.
3. Tuk Tuk: These are classic in Thailand and so fun to ride and take pictures in, but they are going to be the most expensive expect to pay 100-200 TBT per way. You can try to hustle the prices, but these are the most available in tourist areas so they are not fighting for your business. If you don't want to take it, someone else will. It adds up...
4. GRAB: This is the Thai equivalent to Uber in the city. You can download an APP and hail a taxi straight to you. There will be a set fee and you can expect to be picked up from your destination without worrying.
5: UBER: DON'T use uber in the city. Though it works and you can find a ride, the city does not allow it and will fine the driver a huge amount if caught. It isn't worth it. Just download GRAB instead.
Districts of Bangkok
How do you choose where to stay when in a city? There are so many different areas to Bangkok similar to NYC, LA, SF and other big cities. If you are interested in specific areas, I would recommend staying central or if you have the time, switch hostels like I did to cover more ground and learn new areas. I stayed close to Wat Po the first part of my trip (West Bangkok) and then closer to East Bangkok the second part. If you want to visit the temples, I would recommend staying closer to the water and Wat Po first, then moving into the West side for the rooftop bars and night life. I'll cover this more when I talk about each hostel I stayed at. Switching areas made it easier for me to understand how to get around and develop my sense of direction in the city.
Where To Stay
Hostel One: Bangkok Bed and Bike was located in central Bangkok within walking distance to all of the best sites, coffee shops, water, and temples. I was able to walk to my favorite coffee shop in Bangkok, Wat Po, The Grand Palace, and the Pier which can take you on a hop-on/hop-off tour of the city for really cheap!! The hostel is unbelievably safe, clean, and comfortable to sleep it. It is a bit of a quiet spot so if you are looking to party or meet a ton of people, it wasn't the spot, but for two nights after getting into a new city solo, it was PERFECT for me. It is also unbelievably hip and cute!
The bathrooms have perfect lighting to get ready in!
Temples to Visit:
There are so many beautiful temples, but if you don't have the time to make it to many, here are the two I would recommend: Wat Po & Wat Suket. Wat means temple so reading the maps, you'll see this a lot! You will need to buy cheap pants (they sell them outside the temples for 100 BAHT) or roughly $3.50 U.S. You'll have to cover your shoulders as well, and with the temperatures of Thailand, you'll thank me later. I packed a light long kimono and balled it up in my backpack. It is light enough to carry, passes for the temples, and shades you from the sun.
Wat Po has the gold laying down Buddha and beautiful ornate courtyard to tour for the entrance fee and Wat Suket has stairs to climb to the top for a 360 degree view of Bangkok. Remember that there are people praying and there for sacred reasons. Though you are visiting, be quiet, respectful, and thoughtful of your photographs.
Photos from Climbing Wat Suket with Abbie <3
Courtyard of Wat Po
Base of Wat Suket
Covering up for the temples
Hostel switch to the other side of the city!
I stayed in the Siam District for the second part of my stay at the Bed Station Hostel. Having a new location allowed me to hangout closer to the night life and bars I hit up. It was also WAY more social and everyone I met in my room, I ended up hanging out with by the end of it! I made the best of friends!
Coffee Shops of Bangkok
Gallery Drip Coffee is my favorite coffee shop in Bangkok hands freaking down!
As a coffee lover and to pay homage to the roots of my social handle names, you know I had to find the best cold brew coffee.
They have two locations: One between the two temples I mentioned earlier, and one closer to the second hostel I stayed at, inside the museum and art center.
The first location (pictured here) is connected to a hotel lobby and is extremely spacious and clean. I LOVE the staff and was able to sit with them for a few hours to plan out my trip, drink amazing coffee, and find local bars to check out for cocktails because alcohol, duh.
Bars of Bangkok
There are a few bars that I would recommend if you are a cocktail enthusiast such as myself. There are a few really rad bars that are known for specific spirits and I was able to checkout a few.
1. Rooftop views at ABOVE ELEVEN: This spot gets crowded, but if you get there early and head to the rooftop, you can enjoy a cocktail and dinner before heading out to the clubs around the corner. There are breweries, distilleries, bars, and clubs all surrounding this area. The rooftop bar is at the back of a hotel. If you walk to the back, you will go through security and wait for the elevator to take you to the top. Dress cute, you're going to want to look good. Men are turned down if they are in sandals or shorts so make sure to dress accordingly.
2. Gin cocktails at TEENS OF THAILAND: This spot in Chinatown can be hard to spot if you don't know to look for the double raised iron doors. It is super intimate with very limited seating, but you DON'T want to miss these amazing gin based cocktails. With daily specials on the board, and a rad interior with communal seating, you'll find yourself immersed among the locals. Step inside & order up darlings.
3. Rum cocktails at TROPIC CITY: This was the last bar I visited before heading out of Bangkok and I was absolutely in love!!!! I can't stress to you enough about how dreamy this hidden haven is babes!! The wall paintings, the cocktails, the beautiful people working... I was smitten with this place and wished I had visited earlier on my trip. Don't make my mistake & head here ASAP even if solo.
Some people say they didn't like Bangkok because it was too much of a loud and party city for tourists, but if you know where to go, just like any big city, you can have a perfectly planned day and fall in love with Bangkok just like I did. xx Next post will highlight the next part of the country I headed to: THE JUNGLE!!