March 28, 2018

 

My Bangkok Story!

Ever since getting my passport, I have been wanting to at least once go abroad and enjoy the world from another view. So here it is, how I tried to cope with myself getting to know Bangkok in around five days.

How was it? Kilometers away from home? Far apart from my comfort zone...

It was superb! terrific! yet I saw my self a little pathetic.

Well, Bangkok in a nutshell seems and feels like Jakarta. All the opulence yet the ghettos. Nothing seems too different, just another busy city with reckless taxi drivers.

Firstly, why Bangkok?

Yeah, I didn't have any other choice aside from Bangkok. I went to Bangkok not for holiday but some academic-oriented things. We visited Siriraj Hospital, the Faculty of Medicine of Mahidol University, which is one of the oldest hospital in Thailand and it's said to be one of the best tropical medicine and infection center in Asia.

We stayed at Royal River Hotel in Bangkok. Right at the side of Chao Phraya River. If you have ever in Bangkok, you'd be really familiar with this river, as everywhere we tried to go, this river seems following us, well-no, it's just defining how long is the river. At the first night, I wasn't feeling really well and couldn't really enjoy my resting time after the whole day travel by train and plane. I suspected my self with bacterial conjunctivitis. My eyes are quite sensitive to dust and wind. And that very moment, I visited the hospital, crazily, it was 12.00 AM, I was just arrived in Bangkok, and the first thing I did was visiting doctor at Siriraj Hospital. 

They were so concerned even if for me bacterial conjunctivitis is a very common and trivial disease. So that was my first experience visiting hospital in Bangkok, in term of care, I would give them standing ovation, so great! The doctor was so detailed and giving a very understandable explanation very greatly. 

The second day was filled with Hospital tour, from the Anatomy Museum with a very topographic of human body's slice, Anatomy Laboratory, and Simulation Laboratory with a very high-end technology. What I wanted to say was, I wished I would comeback there for further study, experiencing their advanced technology. They used a soft cadaver for resident's  surgery simulation, they have a magical mannequin that could respond many sensors. The best I have ever seen! Sadly, I didn't get any photos from here, I was too amazed with everything they have.

The day was closed with a dinner at a Chao Phraya Cruise Ship. We boarded a ship which crossed around the river under a very beautiful night. I thought Bangkok is most beautiful at night, with a lamp gushed through the tall buildings. 

The next day was a full day of sightseeing!

Our destination was The Grand Palace (Wat Phra Kaew) and Taj Maharaj. 

The Royal Grand Palace was resided by previous King Rama and now is still resided by one of the princess. The story they have wasn't much of difference from the Ramayana story in Indonesia. 

Chakri Maha Prasat, I was told that this building has many doors. Women and men have different entrance, and only the King can go through the woman's door. In the past, the Women of Royal Family were only allowed to go out when the time they got married.

There was this Temple of The Emerald Buddha, which is said to be Thailand's most sacred site. It was a very famous place for Buddhist to pray. We had to take off our shoes, be silent, and forbid to take any photos from inside.  

Tha Maharaj is one of hang-out place with the view of Chao Phraya River, you can find many cafes to chill out there with a very modern vibes. It was a very cozy place to enjoy one cup of Thai Tea and watch the boat crossing the Chao Phraya River. 

Thai Village!

Tasting all delicious foods and desserts.

At the supposed to be last day, we went to MBK and Siam Paragon!

The Shopping Center.

The Plus One

We supposed to leave Bangkok on March 20, but after twice delayed announcement, the flight was finally cancelled and rescheduled to March 21. Yeayy! We got one additional day to enjoy Bangkok.

We stayed at Amari Don Muang Airport Hotel for a night and enjoyed the last night in Bangkok, trying to be fine even if we supposed to be home that day.