The Enchanting East - Traveling Pattaya and Bangkok

Azure skies, aquamarine beaches, the shimmering sand and a splendid sun is just what Asia begins with. But then, it just doesn’t end there either. It touches a palpable chord with the traveler, it makes him curious than ever, it brings him much closer to the myriad hues of life.

Pattaya and Bangkok are two splendid tourist destinations to visit atleast once in a lifetime. Perched calm on my speedboat, tearing those foamed waves which took immense freedom in rocking us, we sped across the blue stretch to Chon Buri Coast. The panorama during the boatride, takes your breath away. Green islands scattered in the blue sea and small fishing boats that earnestly wait for a day’s catch. Away, overlooking Pattaya City we see paragliders having their share of fun.

Dotted with numerous Parasols and stretcher chairs, vendors selling green coconuts and smaller artifacts, kids and adults equally wading through the water, this beach-side seemed bustling with life. Little boats and trawlers near the wharf settled up for major adventure rides, inviting potential buyers of their luring. This place is where one can have a splendid swim, a perfect sun-tan and a cold pint of beer.

Many tourists wore thick helmets and dived into the sea, where some others got ready for scuba diving. The stretched flea market facing the sea in this island, sure has the most welcoming sights and smells of all; of varied sea-food grilled, displayed, spiced and curious cats yearning for an offer, little art and curio shops, funny-looking fruits, busy restaurants that serve fresh food from the waters, cooked in front of you, shops selling traditional Thai garments and hats and some shops selling Thai traditional medicines.

Let’s go through them again!

The bustling city life in the East is greatly influenced by culture and tradition. Bangkok hugs its past tighter to itself with houses in the cities having traditional lamps hanging near the windows, believed to bring in good luck, no matter what the occasion is. This is a marvelous city, a melting pot of both traditional and modern lifestyle. When Bangkok keenly loves it’s culture of splendid temples, it is also one of the fastest growing metropolises of the world, accepting a new world as their own.

The Golden temple at Bangkok has some curious stories to tell the wander-bug. it’s majestic and Golden all over, one of the richest temples, owned by the royal family of Thailand. The Golden Buddha temple has the largest Buddha statue in the world, made of Pure Gold. Standing tall and undefeated at 3 metres height, this piece of art weighs roughly 5.5 tonnes and truly is an eye candy.

The temple premises have smaller sanctums and large gardens. Pretty Bouganevillae gleams and dances in tune with the cold breeze that frequents. Huge mango trees in the compound, each have a flock of lime-green parrots perched on their branches and squealing, their cries cutting razor-sharp through the spiritual air. Stone-statues guarding the temple, smile, having a story to pass on. Large prayer bells wait in patience for a devotee to touch them. Parchments with chants, tied to poles spreads good fortune. Devotees kneel in gratitude, near small, rounded, golden buddha statues with flowers at their feet. Incense sticks run out on heaps of ash. The air smells of thick smoke from the lamps lit. Monks close their eyes to pray. Chants rise and temple bells ring, not so far away.

The city of Bangkok begins where the temple ends. To preserve an enormous temple of worship in the middle of an ever-growing and demanding city is by no means a cakewalk. Venturing into the street markets of Bangkok is as pleasant as it sounds- with varied visual, olfactory and sensual plethora of an Uptown Asian market.

Vendors in the streets of Bangkok greet visitors while smiling and arranging their spreads on tables, setting up little chairs and plates, getting ready for lunchtime. When some women on the streets had already started to deliver their orders to their customers, the others engaged themselves into chopping meat, vegetables and frying their concoctions in deep pans. Parched and hungry dogs with funky belts sauntered around looking for some tidbits out of the frying pans and chopping boards. Little kids, walking with their parents, yearned at the marshmallow-seller’s bounty.

The main mode of transportation in Bangkok apart from buses and trains are the Tuk-Tuks. These three-wheelers can be hired for a meagre amount of 12 Baht for a day or more. These have the ability to squeeze in a fair bunch of passengers in the backside; like a gypsy car, except for the noises they make. It sounds as though all the parts of the vehicle are rattling in communion. Swarming in the streets, the Tuk-Tuks are a common sight throughout Asia and called by various names in different countries. It’s an Asia thing. Some TukTuks have neon lights and funky decors dolling in them, offering the customer a groovy night ride. During the afternoons tuk-tuk drivers take a break, nap on the backseats of their vehicles, making it their own little room, evading the sultry heat.

Ideally, visiting Thailand should be for 2 weeks. This land is a paradise for foodies with the exquisite taste of Thai spices. A bunch of friendly citizens are out there to help the foreign traveler. Most of them speak English and that is definitely an upside. Don’t forget to take back a bag or an assortment of Thai spices from any local store when you visit. You might just want to whip up a Thai chicken curry sometime! So for what dates is your calendar blocked for a trip down Suvarnabhumi (translates locally as The Golden Land)?

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(Editor Notes: Gayatri is a guest author from www.wanderbay.blogspot.com. An Indian born UX designer with a passion for food and traveling.)