Part3- Vimanmek

Vimanmek Mansion "The Palace in the Clouds" is the largest golden teak wood building in the world. It’s constructed entirely of teak without the use of a single nail. Built in a Victorian colonial design, it's a gorgeous example of traditional workmanship and it’s wonderfully preserved. Teak was once plentiful in Thailand and the rich would construct entire houses with it. Nowadays, teak logging is illegal in the kingdom.

photo credit: vimanmek.com

The enormous "L" shaped structure contains some 81 rooms, with 30 or so open to the public. If you wish to walk through the mansion – and believe me, you do – you have to join a tour.

photo credit: vimanmek.com

An hour-long tour will take you through the mansion, showing you all the rooms, the many fine antiques, other items of personal significance to the royal family, as well as many original photographs of the royal family and gifts from other royals from around the world.

Cultural shows are also presented in the mansion compound every day at 10.30 and 14.00 hrs
The whole compound is huge. You can easily spend at least half a day wandering around the park-like compound.
Before entering the mansion itself, you have to leave all your belongings and your shoes in a coin-operated locker (30 Baht) and no cameras are allowed inside.

The palace cat, Siamese cat

Related info:

• Visitor info & dress code
• Inside Vimanmek Mansion

Part 1: Shopping paradise
Part 2: Floating market

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Part2- Floating market

The most famous floating market in Thailand is Damnoen Saduak. Unfortunately, because of its enormous popularity and the sheer number of tourists it attracts, it is gradually losing its feeling of authenticity.

photo credit: bkkmenu.com

Amphawa floating market is a much better alternative. It offers a taste of traditional Thai life without having to venture too far from the city. Amphawa is a 90 minute drive from Bangkok in Samut Songkram province. It’s predominantly for Thais so you’ll find real Thai prices, not tourist prices, so you can leave your bargaining skills at home.

The market operates from Friday to Sunday, starting around 1pm, with most of the stalls open by 4pm. The best time to arrive is between 1pm and 2pm before it gets crowded.
There are restored shops and old houses, still inhabited by their original owners, who use small boats to sell food and locally made products. Amphawa retains the feeling and character of a traditional floating market.
In the evening, take a boat ride to witness the beautiful spectacle of hundreds of fireflies glowing in the dusk and enjoy the local way of life. Be sure to bring some snacks and a drink, as the trip takes about an hour. Tours run every half-hour from 6:30pm to 9pm. You can arrange a tour directly at the pier (B600 for a boat) or through your hotel (around B60 per person).
Don’t forget to bring your camera, as it’s a lively, colorful scene down here. You'll get fabulous photos, have a fun time, and buy some cool stuff at great prices.

Part 1: Shopping paradise
Part 3: Vimanmek

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+ a nap in Bangkok

Today is Thai New Year. Everyone in Thailand will be celebrating. It would be nice if I could be at home with my family again. (Sigh!)

. . .

Phranakorn Nornlen is a boutique guesthouse hidden away in a historical part of Bangkok known as Thewet, where life still goes on as it has done for hundreds of years.

Thewet has lots of local atmosphere, but is definitely not touristy. Canal boats are a ten-minute walk past the flower market, and everywhere is easy to get to with a 7-11, an ATM, and a currency exchange just around the corner. If you want a quick bite, there’s lots of local food available on the street and in numerous local cafés. I still remember walking around there after school.

The entry to the guesthouse – just like coming home

Refreshing courtyard

Phranakorn Nornlen is not like a luxurious hotel. Instead, it encapsulates the unique Thai lifestyle in a single charming venue.

Look! They even have a reading area just for me

Quietly beautiful

Sit back and relax and listen to the sound of the birds in the trees and the leaves rustling in the wind.

Hand-painted butterflies and flowers are scattered across the walls

Arty details fill this place

There is no smoking and alcohol is kept to a minimum with organic food for breakfast. Lunch and dinner is not provided, as there are dozens of restaurants in the area to choose from – this is a great way to share the wealth and create balance in a small community.
What a good idea!

Attention to detail
Shopfronts are decorated in the traditional style.

photo credit: Phranakorn Nornlen

I’m really homesick now (sobbing!)

--> Also check out what others are doing in Bangkok here

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+ cafe sweet

My friend just sent me these photos of a luscious new café in Bangkok, called “Café Sweet”. It’s sophisticated, calming and cozy, and a brilliant merging of yellow, red and green into a modern but very British style.




Attention to detail includes professionally printed cards, a nice font, good graphics, and colours that match the décor.

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+ glittering Bangkok

These panoramic night views of glittering Bangkok give you an entirely different perspective on this exotic city.

I wish I could take photos like this.

more gallery photos --> http://www.pixpros.net/

rbjphoto@gmail.com

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+ refill now

A hip and innovative hostel catering to backpackers and budget travelers, Refill is owned and designed by local architects, so if you have some interest in modern Thai architecture or design, you’ll find heaps of inspiration here.





A brand-new building in a vibrant and friendly neighborhood, Refill sports a bright, contemporary look, with ground-to-roof glass on all four sides set amongst a lush garden for a spacious, natural feel. The design and layout create a harmonious sense of privacy and openness.

It’s a good distance from the city heart, which lets you lose the madding crowd, but you’ll find everything you need right here, including hip eateries, massage salons and bars. Getting back to the city couldn’t be easier: jump on the water taxi or hop on the skytrain for a fast and easy return trip to town. Who said you can’t get away from it all in the City of Angels?

via: http://www.refillnow.co.th/

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+ Boutique Budget Hostel :: Baan Dinso

Baan Dinso (pronounced barn din saw) is an intimate nine-room boutique hostel in Bangkok decorated in 1950’s Thai style and featuring all the amenities of a hotel, including wireless internet access.

A two-storey house built with golden teak, Baan Dinso is estimated to have been constructed in the 1920s, when HM King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) was on Thailand's throne.

photo :: http://www.tcdcconnect.com

photo via :: www.baandinso.com/

Period details are everywhere.

photo via :: www.baandinso.com/

Breakfast is served every morning on the front porch next to the water wall.

I always enjoyed walking along Dinso Road late in the afternoon: traditional shops, cosy restaurants and intimate cafes conjure a time long past, when the pace of life was slower and people had time for one another. Across the road, a small park by the river ... people are juggling, some are jogging, dating … or just admiring the sunset over the Chaopraya River. Fond memories.

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