September 23, 2024 (Monday) – Day 3 in Bangkok, Thailand

We were out and about around 9 AM, taking it easy since we were on our own schedule. We took the bus again. I really loved their bus system and live tracking app. We got off at Bang Rak, and our first stop was Jok Prince, a spot I found after researching Michelin guide recommendations. We ordered just one bowl of porridge to share. It was our first meal of the day and the perfect way to start, simple, comforting, and delicious with a smoky flavour. Plus, it was cheap.

Next, we headed to Prachak Roasted Duck, which was nearby. Despite its proximity, we still had a hard time finding it, mainly due to the lack of English signage. We ordered their best sellers, though we forgot the exact dish names. Asis went for a rice meal, while I opted for noodles. Like Jok Prince, their food was perfection, simple, delicious, and affordable.

After brunch, feeling a bit full, we decided to stroll over to Talat Noi. The weather was quite hot, but thankfully, they had actual and proper sidewalks where people could walk without dodging parked cars. The trees provided some much-needed shade.

Talat Noi was a charming neighborhood with narrow alleyways filled with colorful murals, scrapyards, quaint shops, and cozy cafes. It gave the area a rustic, laid-back vibe. We took a break at Mother Roaster, where I enjoyed a cup of coffee while Asis opted for a refreshing non-caffeinated drink. After recharging, we continued exploring and discovered an artist selling postcards just across from the café. His artwork was so impressive that I couldn’t resist picking up a few.

We also stopped by 32 Bar Specialty Chocolate and ordered one drink to share. They had about ten different chocolate flavors to choose from. Unfortunately, my memory is failing me. I completely forgot the names of our drinks and food! Should’ve jotted them down. Lol.

After that, we wandered around and ended up at the Temple of the Golden Buddha (Wat Traimit). By this time, I had a headache from the scorching heat and felt exhausted from all the walking. My left foot was starting to develop blisters. We decided not to go inside since we didn’t want to pay for entrance fees, and seeing the temple stairs was a hard pass. So, we booked a Grab to Chom Arun for lunch, but when we got there, we realized it was out of our budget, especially with the service fee. (This restaurant is still on my list for next time!) Already overspending, we skipped it and looked for another place, but most restaurants were full since it was lunchtime. Thankfully, a fruit vendor passed by, and we ended up buying some refreshing watermelon and melon instead.

Next, we headed to Riva Arun Pier and took the ferry crossing service to Wat Arun for only 10฿ per head. Wat Arun wasn’t originally on our list for the day, but we decided to go with the flow since it was nearby. The place was bustling with tourists, many dressed in rented traditional Thai outfits, posing for photos with a number of official photographers available for hire. Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan was stunning, but I was too exhausted to fully enjoy it. After a brief walk around, we found a quiet spot to sit and rest until it started raining. We managed to find some shade, but it took a while for the rain to stop, and the humidity was just too much that day.

By 4 PM, the scattered showers had passed, so we headed back to the pier and returned to Riva Arun Pier. From there, we walked to the nearest MRT station, Sanam Chai. It was our first time riding the MRT, and I was once again amazed by their train system. The stations were beautifully designed, making the whole experience enjoyable.

We got off at Wat Mangkon station because our next stop was Chinatown (Yaowarat). Another walking session! Yay (；￣Д￣)

The market alleyway was filled with stores of fresh perishable goods. There were only a few places to eat, as most shops focused on selling ingredients. It was nice to see such a variety. Eventually, we ate at Yaowaraj Restaurant, a small, traditional family-run eatery. It was a great find since I had no idea where to eat; I expected booths and stalls like those in Chatuchak, but instead, most shops were actual stores. Although the food wasn’t the best I’ve ever had, we enjoyed it—it was nice and affordable.

We also stopped at Cha Tra Mue for some refreshing milk tea. It was still bright outside, even though it was almost 7 PM, and I was excited to see all the signages lit up in Chinatown. However, we decided to head back to the Public Viewpoint to catch a glimpse of Wat Arun illuminated at night, near the pier we had visited earlier. We took the MRT again, following the same route. When we arrived, it started to rain, but the sight of Wat Arun lit up against the rain created a magical halo around it. It was truly a sight to behold! A lot of tourists were huddled under the gazebo, trying to stay dry from the rain and wind. It was a bit chaotic, but just as quickly as the rain started, it cleared up in just a few minutes.

From there, I tried to book a Grab back to our hotel, but it was taking too long, and we were hesitant because the fare was high at that time. So, we decided to walk to a nearby bus stop that was on the route back to our hotel. We ended up at Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market) and waited there for what felt like ages, as only a few bus numbers were on the route we needed. We ended up waiting for an hour alongside the locals at the bus stop. It was exhausting, but I found it nice to people-watch.

We finally arrived at the hotel around quarter to 10, and later that night, we got hungry again, so we ordered food through Grab (Beast Smash).

It was such a looooooong day. Definitely the most steps I took in a single day during our stay. What an adventure!

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More phone photos below: