10 November 2023
The party’s officially started a little early for Steve’s big 7-0! We woke up to a stunning sunrise over the Bangkok skyline, a perfect way to begin a day filled with birthday cheer.
After a leisurely breakfast, we hopped on the MRT and arrived at the Eastin Grand Hotel by 10 am. Our wonderful hosts whisked us upstairs to a lounge area while they worked their magic on our room. It wasn’t long before Kukkai had us relaxing with refreshing drinks while she secured a fantastic junior suite for us.
Jhaj and her team took things to the next level, leading us straight to our suite with incredible views of the city stretching out from the 31st floor. There were even delicious birthday treats waiting for us to kick off the celebrations – what a sweet surprise! As we admired the city from our high vantage point, we spotted some dramatic storm clouds brewing in the distance.
Undeterred by the potential downpour, we decided to explore the local area. Our walk took us past the Wat Don Cemetery and a nearby Vishnu Temple, offering a glimpse into the neighbourhood’s unique character.
We also popped into some local shops, soaking up the atmosphere before heading back to the Eastin Grand for refreshing afternoon drinks by 3 pm.
As the sun began its descent, we retreated to the executive suite for another round of snacks and drinks. The rain squalls passed us by as we enjoyed the breathtaking sunset views. Finally, after a full day of birthday festivities, we retreated to the comfort of our luxurious bed for a well-deserved rest.
11 November 2023
Bangkok never disappoints! We started our day with a delicious breakfast.
Aof looked after us bring us eggs benedict and cappuccino coffees. It turns out Aof is from Roi Et and we excited to share our travels experiences around that province including one of our favourite temples named Phra Maha Chedi Mangkol. Feeling fuelled up, we hopped on the orange flag ferry for a relaxing ride up the river. The 16 THB price tag can’t be beat!
We spotted our friendly conductor at Sathorn Pier, and with a friendly wave, we were off cruising past the iconic Iconsiam. Our journey north ended a bit sooner than expected though – the ferry broke down just as we reached Wat Arun Ratchawaram!
Taking this as an unexpected adventure, we decided to explore the stunning Wat Arun. One of the found here is many Thai’s and tourists love to dress up in traditional outfits for their visit to this temple. This gave us many photographic opportunities.
By 2pm, our stomachs were starting to rumble. We wandered through the charming local neighbourhoods before finding ourselves at the impressive Wawoon Mega Plaza. Two Pad Thais later, we were happily satisfied!
Refreshed and recharged, we strolled through the vibrant streets, eventually reaching the modern marvel of Iconsiam. A cool drink and a break in the air conditioning were the perfect way to end the afternoon.
Back at the Eastin Grand, we enjoyed some evening drinks and nibbles before collapsing into bed after a fantastic day of exploring Bangkok.
12 November 2023
Steve’s birthday finally arrived, and what a way to start the day! We enjoyed a delicious breakfast spread in the executive lounge at the Eastin Grand Hotel. The food and service were fantastic, and it was the perfect way to fuel up for our day of adventures. Thank you Cindear for looking after us this morning.
By 9:30 am, we were on the BTS Skytrain, heading towards Si Lom station. We decided to ditch the usual tourist itinerary and explore the local neighbourhood on foot.
Our explorations led us to the vibrant Khlong Toei Markets, a sensory overload of sights and smells! From exotic fruits to mountains of chilies, we wandered through the bustling stalls, soaking up the atmosphere.
After our market adventure, we stumbled upon Terminal 21, a unique shopping mall designed to resemble an airport terminal. As luck would have it, during our visit (between November 3rd and 12th, 2023), Terminal 21 was hosting their Street Food Festival! We couldn’t resist indulging in a delicious lunch to celebrate the festival and Steve’s birthday.
Back at the Eastin Grand Hotel, we were met with an incredible surprise! The staff, led by the amazing Jhaj, had decorated our room for Steve’s birthday and even left a delicious birthday cake.
Their thoughtfulness and hospitality went above and beyond anything we could have expected. A huge thank you to Jhaj and her team for making Steve’s birthday truly unforgettable!
13 November 2023
Today marks a bittersweet goodbye as we depart from the lovely Eastin Grand Sathorn.
A huge thank you to Jhajah, Kukkai, Cindear, Nina, Drake, Lak, Roong, Aof, and Art for making Steve’s birthday celebration over the past 3 days unforgettable!
We had an absolute blast, and your hospitality will be truly cherished.
With hearts full of gratitude and a thirst for adventure, we hit the road at 9 am in our brand new rental car – a Fortuna with that amazing new car smell, courtesy of Budget! Jhajah helped us with a small issue with Budget before we headed south out of the bustling city, and our journey began.
Our first stop was Wat Bang Ping, followed by Wat Tam Ru and Wat Saman Rattanaram. Each temple offered its own unique beauty and serenity. Finally, we arrived at the awe-inspiring Khlong Khuean Ganesh, a truly enormous Ganesh statue that left us speechless.
After a day filled with exploration, we reached our new home for the night – Hotel Canal 304. We were more than ready to relax and unwind after a jam-packed day. To cap off the evening, we ventured out for a delicious dinner at the local BigC foodpark. We indulged in Krapow Moo, Chicken Fried Rice, and a classic Pad Thai – the perfect fuel for our upcoming adventures!