Adventures Begin in Bangkok

We took a nine hour flight to Bangkok and rested the first day and then I was feeling good enough to go out on some short trips to some very interesting places. Since I am feeling better (thanks to some pain meds and healing) and can sit and type comfortably now, I am going to try and do more frequent blog updates. We are hoping to get to be out and about a bit more than we were able to in Australia.

As we are walking around the city, we have Google Translate at the ready to read signs, menus, or to figure out what to ask. We are fortunate that many people here speak English and everyone has been so kind and helpful. There are 7-11s EVERYWHERE and we have already gone a few times to get some groceries for breakfast and snacks. We also had a little walk about and found a local grocery store and some great places to eat. In Thailand, GRAB is a company that transports people and acts as a delivery service and so we have ordered in some great food as well.

You will find these Thai Spirit houses everywhere and they are really beautiful. This one is outside of the condominium that we are staying in

One of the residential streets we walked on when looking for the grocery store. These are open to the alleyway and some people are selling goods from the front of their homes.

Phone line repair

Bananas are individually packaged - at least at 7-11

This was one of our deliveries - hilarious name and the names of the dishes were fun as well and very tasty!

The first big attraction that we visited was IconSiam which is the largest mall in Southeast Asia. On the bottom floor is a really amazing array of mostly food vendors, though I also did a little bit of shopping at some stalls that resemble markets you would find on the street. On this level you can eat at the individual vendors or go to a restaurant. This mall also includes Michelin star restaurants. The train station is steps away from where we are staying which is so convenient. Traffic here is really terrible and so the train is the way to go. IconSiam is only one quick stop away.

We only got through about 4 levels on our first trip here and we will definitely be going back for more food and explorations!

Approaching the mall. The tall buildings are part of the complex and house hotels and residences.

A view to the many many floors in this mall

This beautiful water feature comes down in different patterns and we enjoyed it as we ate an amazing Japanese lunch

Traci enjoying a DELICIOUS bowl of ramen next to the water feature

Part of this level is replicating a floating market and is gorgeously decorated.

Signage in English, Thai, Arabic and perhaps Chinese?

Delicious and interesting food

Feeling good and enjoying some fresh coconut

George agrees to pose for a picture on one of the boats in the “floating” market :-)

A squinty picture outside of The IconSiam with the Chao Phraya River in the background

Here is a view of the Mall from the park on this level - I think we are on the 3rd or 4th floor of the mall.

Morning commuter traffic - and the reason to take the train which was also crowded, but quick for us