One Day in Bangkok (Venice/Shanghai Style…)

Finishing :-( my vacation with another day in Bangkok. This is a city of almost 10 million people, a city of neon lights, high rises, horrendous traffic, somewhat excessive air pollution, and thoroughly excessive shopping malls—in short, the modern megapolis. Which is all fine and good, but I was in the mood for something a little more tranquil for my last day of R&R (after all, the previous day featured an all-day park adventure … bookended by a pair of 2.5-hour bus rides between Bangkok and Pak Chong).

So, I headed to Venice … or more properly “the Venice of Asia”. This is what Bangkok was known as at one time—although it is really only an accurate description of the Thonburi region, across the river from the heart of Bangkok. This is a neighborhood of canals, residences, and temples – nary a high-rise or shopping mall in sight. I hired a long-tail boat and just cruised. I suspect the Venice of Italy may be a touch more beautiful, but Thonburi fit what I was looking for: it was very, very relaxing. Even my oh-I-don’t-know-call-it-fiftieth wat tour of the trip (to Wat Arun) was made more special arriving to and leaving from the boat dock.

For my last night of vacation, another splurge – US$70 for a room at the Shanghai Inn in Bangkok’s Chinatown. This is a nice little boutique hotel recommended by Lonely Planet. Literally $40 a night more than any other place I stayed in SE Asia, but no other place I stayed looked like this. Hmmm, maybe I’ll stay a few more weeks …