It has been more than 2 weeks since I came back from my first post-covid trip, and I want to note down some of the highlights of this trip before I forget them. Previously I shared about how I plan and eventually craft my itinerary - if you are keen to find out more you can check it out here.
Highlight #1 (Epic Pad Thai + Sunset at The Deck)
Recently I came across this travel quote which nicely sums up both of the highlights on this trip.
Adventure is allowing the unexpected to happen to you. Richard Aldington.
From my first post, you would already know that I like to plan out where to go to each day when I travel. I do this in order to try and save time and cover as much ground as possible. During my earlier days of travel, trying to follow my itinerary would probably result in a hurried daily pace, and I have since put in much more time buffers, especially for the transit between various locations. Another thing that I have since learnt to appreciate is to not get upset when things don't happen the way you want them to and allow serendipity to run its natural course.
For this trip, I met up with a friend who can be considered a half-local. Watching her converse with the Thais is an interesting experience and it makes me relieved knowing that I can count on her to get things like special food orders correct. This time round, we decided to meet for an early dinner at one of the cafes nearby before proceeding to one of the rooftop bars for the sunset view. There was only one problem - I realised that the cafe we wanted to visit for dinner was closed on Sunday. While I was still at Candide Books & Cafe, I quickly poured over Google Maps to look for another alternative to dinner. I chanced upon Pad Thai Kratong Thong and who would have known that it was such a delightful find. The Pad Thai there is a must order if you are ever in the area - it was the tastiest and most value for money meal I have ever eaten in Bangkok, going at just 89B (S$3.50).
Besides this hidden gem, you can also take a leisurely stroll in the area and explore the alleyways there.
Being the kiasu Singaporean that I was, I hurried my friend along to The Deck, hoping to secure a good spot at the Level 3 top deck while we waited for the sunset. Turns out that it was a little cloudy that day but nonetheless the atmosphere of the place did not disappoint and we managed to catch some pinkish hues in the sky too. The Apple Juice (190B; S$7.40) and Watermelon Juice (220B; S$8.60) that we ordered was decent and allowed us to stay for more than an hour as we watched the sky colours transform. It was a really nice way to end off the day! :)
Highlight #2 (Fathom Bookspace)
This second highlight was really one of my personal favourites during this trip as I am secretly a bookworm :D After visiting Yaorawat Chinatown and bringing my parents to this instagrammable cafe, my initial plan was to visit Vacilando Bookshop to laze and chillout, but once again I did not realise that it was closed on a Monday. (I should really check out the opening times of places more carefully) Anyway, at the time of this writing, their IG page states that they will be temporarily closed as the owner has to go for long-term medical treatment :( Seems like I won't be able to visit this place anytime soon.
Not wanting to miss my chance at visiting a bookstore, I turned to Google again and looked for a place that was worth the next 2 hours of my time. In the end I took a chance on Fathom Bookspace, which was another unexpected find that really made my day! From the moment I laid eyes on the exterior I already loved the decor and felt a sense of excitement as I walked in. Although it was not a large space, the staff are friendly and there is a section where you can find English books!
As I explored the space, I realised there was an interesting corner where you can have a "blind date" with books. The idea was that you choose a beautifully wrapped up book and just buy it, only unwrapping it later to discover the title you are going to read. If you want to order some drinks and head up to the second level, there is another cosy area for you to sit and read - simply perfect for a slow and lazy afternoon.
Before I left, I knew I had to get some books for myself and I settled on the following 2 books. The first was really interesting consisting of hand-drawn watercolour sketches of several shophouses all over Bangkok, with historical descriptions and context in both Thai and English. As for the second book, it was something interesting that I thought anyone who has influence over young lives in any shape, form or fashion should read. Beyond good parenting tips, the book shares various aspects of what children and youth today face, from confidence, to siblings, resilience, and yes, manners. The cashier was sweet enough to gift me a mini tote bag and 2 bookmarks along with my purchase of Bangkok Shophouses (600B; S$23.50) and The Good Enough Parent (660B; S$25.80).
So there you have it. The highlights of my recent Bangkok trip. Beyond just a place where you can shop till you drop, I hope this post has shown you another aspect of this lovely land. With a little bit of effort, you never know what surprises you can find! If you are looking for more inspiration for your next trip there, be sure to check out my full itinerary here for ideas on what you can do.
In the next post, I will share some reflections of how I took a different approach to traveling post-covid, as well as a little bit more breakdown of how much I spent to show you that sometimes you don't have to travel far and spend a lot to enjoy a good holiday :)
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