DIY/BACKPACKER Bangkok, Thailand

In our itinerary, we only have less than a day to tour the city.  Unfortunately our flight got delayed and then we had to wait for the check-in time in D&D Inn before we could tour because our bags were too heavy.  So the "less than a day" became less than 3 hours to tour the temples. #squeezeit

While waiting for our check-in Kaye and I ate in Nat Guesthouse which was just along Khao San Road.

Pork with Sticky rice and Seafood Pad Thai

With just a map in hand and our cameras Kaye and I explored the temples in Bangkok.

We left the hotel past 2 pm and hurriedly went to the first Wat(temple) thats just at the end of Khao San Road. The beauty of our location is that its close proximity, walking distance level, to the famous tourist spots in Bangkok like Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Grand Palace and National Museum. If in case you get lost just follow where most expats go because they too are heading to the tourist destinations or you can also ask around. Thais are nice and approachable. Nobody shrugged us off when we were asking for directions but there was a bit of a language barrier so be patient and smile. 

*Watchana Songkran

This is just in front of the Police station at the end of Khao San Road. 

*City Hall Shrine

*Ministry of Defense

Not a temple but one you'll take photo of because of the beautiful facade and the big cannons. 

*Wat Pho(100Baht)

With free bottled water

Reclining buddha

Stupas inside the temple 

Welcome to Wat Pho!

Ariela Arida, 24, Philippines!!

*Chao Praya River

2.50 Baht to cross the river to get to Wat Arun from the boat terminal in Tha Tien. 

*Wat Arun (50Baht)

Excuse the metal railings. The temples are under construction. 

Closer look of the stupas design. 

More buddhas. 

There were actually a lot of things we weren't able visit while in Bangkok like The Great Palace, Clubs in Silom and Patpong to name a few. We went to Siam but it was almost closing time so we just ate at a Thai Restaurant inside Siam Paragon. After our dinner we went out to the sidewalks in Siam for the night market.

*The Grand Palace

We were not able to get inside the palace because it was already past 4pm when we finished Wat Pho so we hust took a photo from accross the street.

*Siam Paragon

The curry was so spicy that we curse it. 

*Hello Kitty Cafe

Located at the back side of Siam Square if your'e coming from the train station.

Meow

*Siam Square

Entrance from the train station. 

For our nightly shindigs, Kaye and I would just cruise along the street of Khao San with a Chang beer in hand and watch the expats dancing and fliriing and getting crazy. 

Backpacker zone

Massage Spa everywhere. 

This taste better than their Singha, another brand of Thai beer.(100Baht)

Fave bar in Khao San. People rally outside the bar to party.

Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam 7 Days Itinerary

Being a travel enthusiast, Indochina is one on my bucket list and to be able to explore these countries on my birthday is an ultimate experience all in all. #blessed 

I wasn't alone in this trip though because my good friend @kayerikit decided to come with me. She booked a ticket a month before the flight and even if it wasn't on sale she went on with it. #richkid This is her first travel abroad so I made sure she had the best experience and amazing tour guide at the same time, ME. 

This trip was supposed to be a DIY so I didn't book any tour package or transfer. I just depended on my research and the tourist map we got from the airport. The only thing we did book in advance are the hotels through Agoda and we got a really good deal. 

The plan was to visit 3 countries in 7 days. Arrive in Bangkok, spend 2 days there and then take a bus to Cambodia on the 3rd day. On the 4th day travel to Phnom Penh and then transfer to another bus to Ho Chi Minh and spend the last 2 days there. Itinerary 👇🏽

This is our actual dayin-dayout activity. 

There were a lot of tourist spots we failed to visit because of our limited time but I guess that just gave us enough reason to go back. If you have a limited time like us, I suggest you prioritize the places you really want to see and just focus on that. It is convinient to book with a travel agency but the downside is that you really can't maximize your time and really go to the specific temples you want to see because there are other tourists along with you. Unless of course if you book the private tours which can be really expensive. 

Our budget for the entire duration of the trip was P20,000. It covered our airport fees, daily meal, land transfers(tuktuk,bus and train), entrance fee to the temples, booze and pasalubong. 

Before leaving the country Kaye and I had our Peso exchanged to Dollars at Glorietta mall. $200 for the both of us which we plan to use in Cambodia and Vietnam. When we arrived in Suvarnabhumi airport we exchanged our remaining Peso to Baht, 6,240. We didn't bother checking if it was the best move but I think it would've been better if we brought dollars instead.