Joanna
- Nov 15, 2023
- 5 min read

City of Angels

Anyone that has read my South Africa blog might remember how much I was inundated with malls. I left that trip never wanting to step foot in another mall... ever again. EVER.

Then... a friend suggested I visit a mall here in Bangkok.

Seriously? I spat up my water.

No, thank you, sir.

It's called Icon Siam and it's unbelievable. No.

This hotel is top-notch. Nope.

Floating street-food market inside. Still no... but maybe...

Air conditioning. Hmmmm.... that sounds nice.

Need I say more?

I think food & air conditioning really sealed the deal for me.

Wow!

... and...

Double Wow!

I'm kinda getting tired of being blown away by everything I see and do here. I need some ho-hum to take the edge off! Bangkok is second to none. I really understand why sites & travel guides recommend spending a week or more here. There is so much to see and so much to do.

Icon Siam was no exception to the rule. Being completely honest, as a person who rarely enjoys traveling to foreign countries only to spend time in a mall... this place is really off the charts in the mall category. Retail therapy at its best. IconSiam is a shopping mall marvel. No doubt about it. There was definitely no shortage of designer labels and high-end fashion boutiques. In addition, there were dancing fountains, world class painting & sculptures, cultural handicrafts, authentic Thai food... and so much more.

I rode the escalator up, up, up and then down, down, down, all the while admiring the Christmas ambiance, as well as the shuffle & buffle of holiday shoppers and enthusiastic sightseers.

The floating street-food market on the ground floor could seriously rival street food markets throughout the country. Realistically, it's a mall food court, but completely designed to look and feel like one of Thailand's floating markets.

"Sooksiam (the street food market... or mall food court, to be more specific) exhibits its charm through a mixture of unique culture, authentic Thai dishes, hand-made local products, Thai children’s games, and the local wisdoms from the 77 provinces along with the joy and charm from the 4 regions, all in one place or so-called Thailand in One Day as you may name it. One of the major determinations is to work together with the local communities in the development of the people, work quality, career, and revenue generation opportunities, as well as being a platform that fosters stable and sustainable community growth. "

I was gobsmacked. I would return to this mall time & time again. Believe me... I never thought I would say that. If you're in Bangkok... check out this mall.

Seriously.

Now I kinda want to explore more malls... is that wrong?

Stop that thought, Joanna!!!!

Ok... enough of that nonsense...

From IconSiam, I just wanted to wander... I was tired of allowing jet lag and heat exhaustion to drag me down so much. I was hopeful the two of them had hit the road, and in much anticipation, I, too, hit the road. Considering we'd only been given a mere 7 minutes in Chinatown the previous evening, during my first class, top-notch, A1 food tour, I felt I owed more of my attention to this colossal Chinese quarter.

I certainly did... and I'm glad I took the plunge because I loved every minute of it.

Did you know that Bangkok's Chinatown is one of the LARGEST Chinatowns in all of the world.

Me neither...

But now we all know.

Also... did you know that Bangkok has the longest name in the world?

Apparently, Bangkok is the city's nickname and it's ceremonial name is “Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit."

Tell THAT to the taxi driver...

A general translation of the name is:

"The great city of angels, it’s where the immortal divinity dwells, the invincible city, the royal capital endowed with nine precious jewels and full of joy, it is abundant with enormous royal palaces, it’s where the reincarnated angels reside, at the order of Inrda, Vishvakarma majestically built the capital."

Thanks, Cliff Claven.

After a few hours of taking in all the sounds & sights & sensations of glorious ChinaTown, I was desperate to stop and take a rest. With a slight tinge of agony in my knee and some newly acquired blisters on my feet... I chose a really nifty little corner cafe whose motto was, "We bring the city to life."

Well, because I'm foolish and tend to pay zero attention to detail (things like prices), I ended up receiving an exorbitant bill for my cheese sandwich, one water and an orange mocha.

I have been kicking myself for even going in there in the first place and will never be fooled again. I really am trying so much to be very cost conscious. I am hardly in the position to spend $40CND on a cheese sandwich and a coffee. So if I run out of money, we can all blame it on Sarnies.

That was their dumb name. Errr....

The place I am staying in right now, has a wee cafe downstairs and they are famous for their large slices of pizza. I haven't ordered one yet, but I'm thinking of doing it soon, if only for the photo opp. Actually wondering what a slice that size would cost. You could hide behind that slab!

The new place I'm staying at is ok... but having experienced hostels & shared lavatory facilities a lot when I was traveling in my youth, it's just not something I particularly enjoy much anymore. I feel like I deserve more 'luxury,' though my bank account does not share that opinion. So I'm stuck slumming it... but it makes for great stories.

... and yes, the hacking man is still there. Hacking. Hacking. Hacking.

Didn't I just complain about not having enough ho-hum in my life at present? And then I complain about the ho-hum I've been dealt???

I'm a mess.

Ignore me.

Let's get off the ho-hum and back to the WOW factor...

I had read in numerous locations that The Grand Palace was a MUST see. Sure... ok. I'll go. I decided to plan my visit as soon as the place opened, as to avoid the troves of sightseers.

Set in the heart of the City of Angels, this historical landmark & architectural masterpiece is a MUST for all those setting out to explore this bustling city. Anyone that ventures through the front gates will immediately be blown away by its grandeur architectural style. If that doesn't impress you much, then the time dedicated to each intricate detail of the porcelain design will... as well as the exquisit and vibrant colours, the extravagant ceremonial design, the immaculately groomed grounds of the palace... and the pure opulence of it all...

Seriously stunning.