shanghai mansion Bangkok Landing in this remarkable city is, at first, a little like being dropped into
the spin cycle in your washing machine. The hustle and bustle takes a little getting used to, in particular the traffic with its roaring cars, cabs, tuk-tuks and mopeds racing about madly on the hot, humid streets. Don’t kid yourself, Bangkok is a big city, with all its excitement and all its challenges. Touting a population of over nine million, the city has grown rapidly and is expected to be one of the world’s megacities very soon. The city has a crazy, haphazard feel, due in part I’m told to very little planning or regulation—though in many ways— it’s truly part of the city’s charm. My suggestion is to avoid the large hotel chains and stay someplace in
the city core. I chose a boutique hotel in the heart of Chinatown just ten minutes from the nearest underground station,The Shanghai Mansion (
shanghaimansion.com). A romantic throwback to the 1930s with contem- porary updates, makes it a charming place to experience Bangkok from a convenient, inner-city perspective. A welcome tea and luscious refreshing peppermint-infused chilled
towels, set a serene tone and rinsed off the grime from the flight and city streets. Clean and comfortable, the rooms offer a mix of antique furniture, (my favorite was the beautifully-carved, Chinese four-poster bed), along with up-to-date accoutrements, making it a wonderfully refreshing island in the bustling world right outside your door. No pool or workout room, but exercise was pretty low on my list in a city that begs to be walked. They offer free tuk-tuk shuttles (a riotous, must-do ride) to most major attractions, with a complimentary minibar and free wifi as added bonuses. Multiple dining options are available, I enjoyed the Cotton Breakfast room upstairs and the Shanghai Terrace next to the main floor’s entrance, both lovely, offering tasty tidbits, luscious entrees and a cocktail menu filled with seriously delicious tropical concoctions.
Not To Be Missed Things to Do: The sight-seeing options are as vast and as interesting as any place I have ever visited. Do your homework, plan and above all, be respectful of Thai cultural norms. Remember, you are a visitor here—travelling Americans have earned a reputation— and it’s not a good one.
Chao Phraya Express Boat Service A tour of the city via the river is a good choice for getting to know the lay of the land, since the river meanders through the bulk of the city. Choose the recom- mended service or one of the myriad of local water taxis and boats, your trip will be 10 baht at most.
Standing Buddha:Wat Intharawihan temple houses the huge, 32-meter-high standing Buddha statue called Luang Pho Tho. Covered in gold leaf and glass mosaic, the majestic statue towers inside the temple center. If you’re lucky, as I was the day I visited, the monks will be on hand to offer prayers and a blessing.
Wat Phra Kaew: One of the many options available, this one is located in Phra Nakhon District, the historic center of Bangkok and inside the walls of the Grand Palace compound. Along with dozens of other architecture gems, this Wat houses the Emerald Buddha. Carved from a single jade stone, it is considered one of the most sacred in Buddhist culture. Plan to spend some time in the awe-inspiring complex, the photographic opportunities are vast.
JULY 2017 | RAGE monthly 59
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