Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Finally during my third visit in Bangkok I got to experience their so-called "floating market" and I chose to experience this on the largest floating market community. It's about 1.5-2 hours travel from Bangkok downtown. On this trip, we hired an airport cab for a day for not more than THB2000, we are a group of six people. We have been picked-up from our hotel at around 7am-7:15am since the floating market lasts only until noon time. On the site, we were dropped off to a boating wharf (actually there are a lot along the road). I forgot the exact prices but as far as I could remember we paid THB50 each for the entrance fee/environment fee plus THB300 per person for the boat. And the tour starts from here...

sometimes our ride gets tough and speedy so better hold on to your seats!

this is our first stop..it's a coconut factory where you could also buy some souvenirs

a lot of stores along you way, and boats too!

you may hail floating vendors and buy from them

I even saw some tourists eating their noodle soup on their boats, cool!

the busiest part of the market

this is the final stop of our tour, a temple (forgot the name of it though)

nothing much to see here except for some dancers practicing their craft

before hopping on your boat, try to feed the huge kois, you'll be amazed on how big they are

After the floating market, we planned on going to an elephant show but instead our driver took us to a different one - Elephant Village (only about 15 minutes from the wharf). Here we paid THB600 for an elephant ride which everyone of us enjoyed. It's only a 30 minute bumpy ride but worth the experience.

this is how high I am

they have made a village track with vegetations on the side for this ride

you'll even pass by a small body of water which scared the oldies

chained mother and child captive, kinda felt pity for them here

We were back in Bangkok downtown at around 2:30pm. Pretty cool and experience-packed half day for me!

Centre Point Wireless Road

We got their Three-Bedroom Suite for two nights. Our stay was awesome! Everything is clean and well-maintained. It felt like we have our own flat unit in the center of Bangkok. We also got spectacular view of the city. Follows are my first-hand experiences:

• Wireless Road is one of Bangkok center business districts so expect to have traffic here especially during peak hours.
• They have ample space for parking and waiting area for vehicles.
• Upon entering the lobby, you can smell the aroma of their special scent. Very soothing! They have huge lobby as well. You may also get maps and guides from the reception. Their staff are well-accommodating too!
• They have ample elevator (about at least six) to service all of their floors. Nice and new elevator too!
• One complaint we have is that their corridor (on the rooms floor) are not air-conditioned so it may be hot during noon time.
• (may I reiterate?) Their room is spectacular and classy and huge! All of us were amazed upon entering the suite.
• Our suite have 3 bedrooms (2 each with queen-size bed and one with single bed), each with ensuite bathroom.
• I got the smallest room (good for one person) but I am still impressed. I want to have a room like that too!
• Their breakfast is pleasing too! Though not really comparable with those from five-star hotels but they are more that enough for me. I got tasted my first macaroons here!

the bathroom of the single room, this one has a door from the living room

the single-bed room, with city view

the kitchen/utilities section, with provided kitchen utensils and appliances

the dining area

the living room with access to the balcony

the room with queen-sized bed

view from the balcony door

city view at night from our balcony

Legacy Express Bangkok

Stayed here for two nights last March 2013. Two major reasons why we chose this hotel is that it is very close to the BTS Station (and is along the main road) and it is very affordable. Well, it didn't failed us! Reviews I've read for this hotel are true and all of my family was impressed with it. Here are some of my insights and observations:

• Taxi drivers might have difficult time understanding the address, just show them the full address and mention that it is at the corner of Soi 1.
• Only about 3 minutes to the BTS Station and is along the Sukhumvit Road (one of the busiest road in Bangkok)
• They just don't have parking and waiting area for your taxi/van pick ups.
• Their staff are very helpful, don't hesitate to ask for assistance especially in getting a cab. Trust me on this!
• Maybe it is not mentioned on their site but they now have buffet breakfast that comes with your accommodation. Not that a lot of choices though but it will keep your stomach full.
• Small and slow elevator though, it only fits around six people without travelling bags.
• First impression upon seeing the hotel is that they are very chic and contemporary. This applies even on the hotel interiors and rooms.
• Rooms are well-kept and simple. You would just have a small window to view the outside. All the basic amenities of five-star hotels are also provided. Great!
• Their WiFi works pretty good anywhere you are in the hotel. Impressive!

hallway facing the back of the hotel

hallway facing the front of the hotel

our standard room

the comfort room

Bangkok to Siem Reap By Land

Travelling from Bangkok, Thailand to Siem Reap, Cambodia overland has been one of the most famous backpacking itineraries in South East Asia; not to mention the scams lingering along the route. For this route, we opted to have the longer one, just to experience Thailand's railways system and to see more of their countryside.

Off from our accommodation, we took a taxi going to Hua Lumpong Railway Station. Bought tickets right away, took some pictures of the place then boarded the train.

entrance to Hua Lumpong Railway Station

the outside of the station

station's train platforms

it's a 3rd-class coach with no airconditioning

each coach has their own route labels

the inside of the coach, better choose your coach as they are not similar

There are only two train schedules from Bangkok to Aranyaprathet (border to Cambodia) daily: one in the morning (0555H) and the other in the afternoon. So if you like to be in Siem Reap within the day, better catch the early morning trip. It is scheduled to arrive Aranyaprathet by 1135H but our trip took longer to around 1215H. Getting off the train, flocks of tuktuk drivers will face you and ask you for a trip to the border. 

Here now is the scam-my part. They will drop you not exactly in the border but to somewhat office where you will be ask for your "Visa" processing. We were Asians but still they convince us to get inside. Since I already saw a video about this, we just walked straight towards the immigration office; pretending not to hear them.

look for this sign and enter

look for this arch as the immigration signage is somewhat near to this

During our time, it was a hefty line to the immigration. It took us more than an hour to cross Thailand's immigration officers so better be prepared. Right from there, just walk straight to the bridge and you'll see the Angkor Wat arch; officially, you're now in Cambodia! 

Someone with government ID would probably approach and guide you towards your way to the immigration and the shuttle to the bus station. I've read from blogs that this is official. This shuttle bus is free. Then at the bus station, they might offer you a taxi ride as well for USD48 (versus USD9 per person in bus). They could also convince you to exchange your money to Cambodian Riel though USD is widely accepted in Cambodia; it's your choice here but it's strictly 1USD per 4000 Riel all over the country. 

We then took a cab though it's very expensive. I don't know how was I convinced by the travelmate that time. Anyways, this government official will ask for a tip after he guide us through from the border to the taxi cab; but unhesitantly he accepted my 500 Riel tip, I didn't realized immediately how small that is!

Arriving at Siem Reap, your taxi will drop you off to their so called "stop" wherein tuktuks will drive you towards your accommodation. This hasn't been the agreement beforehand. Anyways, the tuktuk is free and will just humbly ask if you may want to avail their tour services. Since I already reserved with our accommodation, I straight forwardly told him that we already have.

We arrived at our guesthouse in Siem Reap just few minutes before 4pm.

complete itinerary with budget and timeline