Bangkok Betty

I'm sure I'm not the only person who dreams of having loads of money to travel the world whenever I feel like it. But with a day job and bills to pay, I have to make the most of my holidays when I can. So when an unexpected trip to Bangkok came up, I was thanking my lucky stars profusely.

The brief - to write about the city from a 'foodie' perspective. I would have preferred a 'check out the latest five star, celebs-ville, hotel launch party' but I wasn't about to be fussy. And looking at the schedule, it wasn't just food markets and exhibitions. There was a decent amount of sight-seeing with some restaurant experiences thrown in. Covering both Bangkok and Pattaya, I wondered how we would cover so much in just five days, but cover it we did, from morning till night and snoozing on the coach in between. Here are just some snippets of the highlights:

The Grand Palace

Swarming with tourists, it wouldn't normally be first on my hit list but it's a bit like going to Rome and not seeing Vatican City. The Grand Palace is a must and its a great way to start your trip as it covers every facet of Bangkok including history, religion, the royal family, and the government, visibly intertwining faith and monarchy.

The Grand Palace is more like a small town with a collection of buildings which are so ornately decorated its almost blinding. You can't actually believe they were built in 1782 as they lookso shiny and new. The statues and serpents that guard each building gives you some insight into the mythical world of Thailand.

But the most important and revered statue of all is the Emerald Green Buddha; encased in its own temple, this small but perfectly formed jade Buddha sits high while Buddhist worshippers and tourists alike come from miles around to pay their respects or simply stare at one of the most famous icons in history.

China Town

Yeah, yeah, I know every city has a China Town but this one is special. Maybe it's the uncountable number of stalls selling anything from wall stickers to leather goods, or the variety of food stalls where you stuff yourself silly (despite the hotel buffet breakfast that morning) or the Alice-in-Wonderland maze like affect that makes up the narrow streets as you dodge tuk-tuks and mopeds delivering goods. Charming, exotic, and the keeper of so many secrets, this labyrinth will take you captive as you try to keep up with the hive of activity around you. Just make sure you don't have a plane to catch that day.

Floating Markets

As well as the various shopping centres (MBK was fantastic) and street stalls, perhaps the most exciting shopping trips are the ones to the floating markets. Interlinked wooden street stalls criss-cross the river selling crafts, clothes and trinkets with long boats meandering though the canals stopping at the wooden banks to serve the shoppers snacks cooked on the boat. A unique sight which highlights the importance of the river for trade even today. The effect is incredible - shopping at Debenhams will never be the same again.

Night-life

A night out in Bangkok will always be an unforgettable experience and while stories regale about some of the more hedonistic pursuits, there's so much more on offer that should be experienced. Eating, whether on the go from one of the food stalls or in one the restaurants will give you the energy you need to keep up with the city. Dining, can be accompanied by traditional performances of music and dance and is a great way to start the night. If you prefer something slightly more modern, a visit to a cabaret show will keep you entertained with the crazy costumes and impersonations. Whatever you choose, make sure you end the night with a ride back to your hotel in a tuk-tuk - a fast and exhilarating experience in itself!