Thailand (Bangkok & Phuket, short layovers) 2016-2018

Introduction:

• I visited Thailand a few times during 2016-2018, mainly Bangkok but also Phuket once, so I will write a few tips and options 
  

a) Several 24-48h layovers in Bangkok (2016 & 2017)

• I will combine ideas from a short 3-day trip in 2016 together with short layovers in Bangkok
• All these plans can be done in only one day individually or combined in a few days
• I will keep it short and simple, short text and plenty of visual backup

Recommendations:

• Boat hop on hop off: for only 15 Bath (less than $05) you can take a boat throughout Chao Phraya River and stop in several piers (main touristic attractions are at a walking distance from some pier). For approx 150 Bath you have unlimited rides during the day but I do not consider it necessary
• Street food: amazing Thai food wherever you are, at a cheap price (despite some tourist prices), and extremely weird meals including all kinds of insects (http://www.bangkok.com/magazine/eating-insects.htm)
• Massage: for massage lovers (not big fan) you can find all kinds of affordable deals wherever you go as well

Main places visited:

• Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak Floating Market & Ayutthaya historical park

Bangkok

• Khaosan road: popular for crazy parties, backpackers, street food

• Grand palace: official residence of kings since 18th century, packed with buildings, halls, statues etc...

• Wat Pho (Temple of Reclining Buddha): one of the most popular in Thailand, next to Grand Palace

• Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn): at the other side of the river, it is recommended at sunset (despite these pics)

• Soi Cowboy: short street packed with nightclubs and striptease bars, sad but popular among tourists and expats, near Silom, a major financial area in Bangkok
  

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market:

• The largest and one of the main floating markets in Bangkok (80km, almost 2 hours drive though)
• Such an interest makes the place much more expensive than other floating markets
• There are public canoes that take you around for a cheap price
• Of course there are many locals that offer the tour for you and if you are not aware of the public service you will pay much more (we fell on the trap)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Ayutthaya historical park:

• 80 km north of Bangkok, Ayutthaya is full of ruins of magnificent temples which show the relevance of this area long time ago
• If you are visiting alone there are plenty of tours are organised from Bangkok
• If travelling with someone, you can also negotiate with any taxi driver who will take you there and wait to bring you back at an affordable price
• All temples are easily accessed by car
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  b) 24h layover in Phuket (2018) - Phi Phi Island:
  
  
• I joined a tour to visit Phi Phi Island while in Phuket. However as of Ovtober 2018, Maya Bay (popular after the movie The Beach) was closed to tourists due to contamination by tourists
• Still the area is beautiful and there are several tours organized from everywhere in Phuket, stopping in different islands
  
• In example our first stop was Khai Nai Island
  
  
  
  
• Once in Phi Phi we realized a tour is not enough, but would be worth it to spend 2-3 days enjoying the activities around the island, kayaking, walking around, bars etc
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• As a personal recommendation, I would choose El Nido in Philippines rather than Phuket but still both places are great
 

 

 

Jakarta, Indonesia (short layover) 2017

Several 24h layovers in Jakarta

• I had to stay in a hotel in Tangerang instead of Jakarta due to working requirements thus I explored a few attractions in both areas

a) Jakarta

• National Monument (Monas) park.On weekends locals come here to gather,relax, walk, practise sports, listen to music... There is also an area inside the park with deers:

• Istiqlal mosque (largest mosque in South East Asia):

Fatahillah square (Jakarta old city, where apparently Cafe Batavia is very popular with live music):

Bandar Djakarta seafood restaurant (lots of different kinds of fresh seafood that you can personally select at an affordable price, really recommended):

b) Tangerang 

• Raya Al Azhom mosque:

• Thousand doors mosque (despite being a quite recent mosque, it is almost in ruins and has even cars parked inside: also the village where it is located is very poor): 

Glasgow, UK (short layover) 2017

Several 24h layovers in Glasgow (2017)

• Glasgow, Edinburgh, Loch Lomond

a) Glasgow

• Some attractions are George Square, St Mungo Cathedral and the Necropolis, the Mural Trail, Pollok Country Park or Western Glasgow

• Glasgow City Chambers in George Square (at some point during the day there are free tours inside):

• St Mungo Cathedral and the Necropolis:

• Mural trail (lots of murals and graffiti around the city):

• Live music in downtown at almost all times in downtown:

• Pollok Country Park (named best park in Britain in 2006)

• Western Glasgow (attractions such as Kelvingrove Museum or the University of Glasgow):

b) Edinburgh

• One hour train from Glasgow you can find the most beautiful city as such in Scotland, with a beautiful castle up the hill, cute little streets where JK Rowling envisioned Hogwarts, several parks...

c) Loch Lomond

• Balloch is the closest station from Glasgow in Loch Lomond (45 minutes train)

• Taking a bus you can reach Luss, another beautiful village 20 minutes far (buses are not vry frequent so better check timings)