Cruising at snails pace through the jungles of mid to northern Thailand for 45 hours, or a leisurely 20 min taxi ride and 1 hour hop via Bangkok airways? I opted for the easy life and did the latter on my journey back to Bangkok for onwards travel to Kanchanaburi. There are times when the experience/scenery/cost just don’t compare with train Vs. plane options. But knowing that i will be coming back down that way to get to Penang later in the month, i didn’t mind missing out this time. Some times life is just too short for the hassle factor of overland transport. I’m so glad i did otherwise i would’t have been treated to the delights of Bangkok Airways cakes again, Kidney bean on a “cake”?! I need to do some serious research to understand the thinking behind that one. Don’t expect it to be on the recipe development list for Sparkle Cakes any time soon!
I was nervous as i entered Bangkok this time, I fell foul of that in Chiang Mai too, i’ve read of other travellers feeling that way i don’t know if it’s something that falls away over time. I guess it surprised me a bit as i have been to Bangkok a few times now landing at different airports and stations and i don’t normally feel like that arriving anywhere. So i entered this new area of the city with a hint of trepidation.
This was an unexpected stop off in Bangkok, and sadly i had no handsome date lined up this time so i had to find my own entertainment. My hotel was in the Wang Lang area which has a very different feel to my usual neighbourhood in Bangkok. It has a very down to earth feel, the streets are buzzing with people on their way to and from the local hospitals and museums which is just around the corner. The immediate area around the riverside hotel was a net work of tiny streets packed full with all sorts of traders and people pushing and shoving to get to what they want. It was a little intimidating at first as i seemed to be the only tourist knocking around and i garnered a few stares, mostly on account of being a lot taller than most of the throng that were making
Cheeky chicken wings, Wang Lang market Bangkok – these blighters were juicy, crispy and incredibly moreish
their way through the market.
I headed off to find out how to get to the train station in the morning as i was in for an early start the next day so wanted to make sure i knew where i was going. The lady at reception very kindly told me which ferry i needed to get, i thought i’d go and have a look round as there are some museus quite close by too. I am so glad i did! I bought my ferry ticket for the next pier and duly stood waiting with my fellow passengers. As i was casually taking in my surroundings i noticed that every reference to the pier i wanted to get to had been scrubbed off the timetables all over the pier. Alongside a sign that advised that pier closed at the end of June this year. Thank you old lady for selling me the ticket anyway, if you weren’t sure what i was asking for you should have said no!
I then attempted walking to where i needed to be, easy you might think? But Bangkok is not really a city designed for
An army of cakes ready for action in Bangkok, a selection of 7 cakes and some biscuits all for the princely sum of £2. Actual heaven…
pedestrians. When they are present the pavements are littered with missing, broken or obstructed tiles. Constantly changing levels, with the odd stall, person or animal blocking your way. They traverse roads, but mostly through the use of overhead walkways which were a lot less accesible than in the Sukomvit part of town. I crossed the first bridge and realised that this was never going to happen with my luggage in tow at 7am in the morning! So i went back to the hotel and got them to book me a cab. At least i tried!
So time to get some food… Gosh the options were plentiful around the Wang Lang market stalls. I was finding it hard to
Pork buns
choose on my wander around. So with a tummy that was rumbling ever louder i decided to do a bit of a dinner mega mix and pick bits from an assortment of stalls. I was in absolute heaven… The most delicious crispy and spicy (Not Chicago spicy!) chicken wings, and drumsticks from one. Sweet glazed tender pork skewers from another and some warmly spiced roasted pork belly from one more with a side of rice.
There was even a little bakery for me to raid. I love Asian bakeries, you get a tray and some tongs at the front of the shop and then go to town filling up your tray (well i do anyway) and it all gets bagged up at the end. There is always a heady mix of sweet and savoury treats as well, one of my favourites being the little pork buns that have a candy floss like pork scratching type topping on an plain sweet bun. After picking up some fresh pineapple and pomegranate juice from one of the other stalls. I was eager to get back to my room and savour my feast, it felt a bit naughty to be eating all that on my bed, but there was no where else to sit and it afforded me a cursory glance at my view over the river from the balcony as i scoffed.
I had a delightful FaceTime session with the crew at Potter Towers and Jacksonville tonight, exactly what i needed. It was lovely to see my niece proudly showing off her new Christmas jumper, makes me realise that i really need to sort out what i am doing for Christmas though it’s not that far away! eeeeek!
A very tired, full and happy cake lady signing off excited for my jaunt to Kanchanaburi tomorrow…
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