The Jungles of Bangkok and the surrounding area
Bangkok is a city of opposites: High-class shopping malls side-by-side with crowded marketplaces, 5-star restaurants shaking a block with run-down shacks, temples and spirit houses right next to stripper clubs and ladyboys. It’s an amazing mix of sights, colours, sounds and smells. Many love it, some dislike it, but what’s certain is that no one can remain indifferent to it.
The average traveller stays in Bangkok for 2-4 days to see all the “must-see”s: a few temples, the palace, and for the most part, shopping. The relaxation, exotica, hiking, animals and learning the culture – all these are left for later, to be seen in the North or in the Southern Islands.
Hotels in Bangkok:
Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square
or:
or:
and cheaper one:
Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam
or:
Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit Sukhumvit
Or suites hotel for families:
or:
It’s hard to believe that right in the city, in its centre and suburbs and surrounding provinces, no more than half an hour’s drive away, you can find jungles, animals in the wild, orchid greenhouses, and most importantly – see the non-touristy side of Thailand, where you will hardly meet a single tourist but will discover fascinating places, meet locals excited to see foreigners, see Thai children who will show off tricks to you as they swim in the murky waters of a river, and shop at a real, authentic floating market or colourful seaside market.
All of these are hard to discover on your own,
especially if you don’t speak Thai or don’t know your
way around the outer suburbs of Bangkok. But a good
local guide will open a window for you to a different
Bangkok, tourist-free and special, which you will never
forget.
Hananel Shamir, who has been living in
Bangkok for several years now, organises trips for
independent travellers in small groups in Bangkok itself
and also farther destinations (including the islands and
the North). His tours are different from the standard
trip to Thailand, much more unique and exciting.
He
won’t take you to the standard places, which you can
visit on your own, but rather, areas which are mostly
unknown to foreigners.
Even when you visit a
well-known place with him, for example, the spirit house
in Hyatt Erawan. You will be surprised to learn the
fascinating story behind it which you would otherwise
have not learnt.
You will even learn something
interesting about Thailand’s McDonald’s...
I had
visited Bangkok many times, but after Hananel’s trip I
discovered new sides to the city which I hadn’t even
known existed. On a single day with him you will see,
taste, discover, and do so much that it will take you
several days to take it all in.
With Hananel you will
travel in Bangkok using every possible form of
transport, taste authentic local foods and learn lots
about the Thai people, their culture and their customs.
It’s hard to believe that in Bangkok itself you can see
– in the wild -- huge water monitor lizards, which look
like dinosaurs; or, alternatively, see stunning orchids
blooming right next to a murky canal.
A
recommended trip outside of the city is to Samut
Songkhram. An hour and a half drive will take you to a
place where foreign tourists are rare and exciting sight
among the locals, who I used to only Thai tourists who
come to the area on weekends.
Here you can visit salt
fields, a coconut farm, an educational archeological
site for awareness and protection of animals including
monkeys and “walking” fish; you’ll feed the “swimming
monkeys”, visit the “Train Track Market” – an authentic,
rural market in the province which sits on the tracks of
an active train that crosses through the market four
times a day...
An amazing sight: with
perfect timing, the stall owners close up their stalls
as the train arrives and the market resumes the second
the train has passed.
You will also visit a special
market on the ocean shore (where you will only see Thai
shoppers), tour the living area of the second Rama king
which includes a museum and beautiful gardens, and to
wrap up the trip, a trip along the canal banks in a real
Thai floating market and a nightly boat ride through
this floating market including dinner, as well as a boat
ride to watch the fireflies which are unique to the
area.
Overall, a very special day, which you would not be able to have any other way. As authentic as can be.
A trip with Hananel is also a
gastronomical experience. You will finally get to taste
real Thai coffee and eat fries made of bananas, yams or
durian (a very popular Thai fruit known for its
stench...). You will eat in restaurants in
air-conditioned shopping malls but also in simple street
stalls which offer excellent soups. You will come to
know new Thai dishes and fruit you have never heard of
in your life. Even if you tend to be difficult or
conservative about trying new food, you will not go
hungry.
More information about Hananel’s trips along
with plenty of photos can be found on his
website.
Advice to those who wish to tour with Hananel: Book the
tour well ahead of time!
Hananel’s e-mail address:
hananelshamir@gmail.com
More Thailand articles:
Animal Encounters for Families
Special
Guided tours in Thailand
Family Vacation in Phuket
Vacationing in Koh Chang
A Trip from Bangkok to Khao Yai Reserve
Family holiday in Northern Thailand with
Private Guide
Family Holiday in Koh Samui
The Islands of Thailand
Vacations Trips and
Luxurious Hotels in Khao Lak