8/11 Bangkok
151mila dong and a taxi takes me to the airport, luckily I did not exceed the 15 kgs baggage allowance. I arrive in Bangkok on time.
I have been to this city several times already, so I will be short. I booked from Italy my accommodation, Riverview Guesthouse. It is in a little touristy area of Chinatown, only mechanic shops around. So nobody harasses to sell something, the downside is that the only handy restaurant is on the roof, which has a great view, but awful food. The location is ok, on the river, right at the stop nr. 4 (Marine) of the orange ferry line, and less than a km walk from Hualamphong Central Station.
I reach it from the airport with a combination of subway, skytrain and ferry, cost 45 + 35 + 15 baht respectively. I initially booked a 750 baht room without air conditioning (called “urban chich”), but I the upgraded to the “Dragon Move”, which would cost 2000 baht but because of a promotion (they are in fact carrying out the restoration work) it’s offered at 1700. I have river view here.
Since I have already visited the most famous places in the city, my time is scheduled as follows. Afternoon: visit to an optical shop on Sukhumvit, which gets good reviews on some forums and have been recommended by some expats living here, to buy glasses because they are much cheaper than in Italy, I took even the prescription. I have to desist because of the very tight deadlines.
Visit the “terminal 21” mall, very luxurious, each floor (including bathrooms) has different style dedicated to a famous city. Ancient Rome at first floor, Paris at second, Tokyo at third. They sell Western goods, same prices as here
8/12 Ayutthaya.
15 baht third-class train from Hualamphong to Ayutthaya, leaving at 9.30. Better to take the 8.15 express train that makes less stops.
From Ayutthaya station I walk, no map, and manage to reach the main temples, 50 + 50 baht the entry fees. Wonderful.
Return to Bangkok, 20 baht on rapid train at 15.00 . Arrival in Bkk at around 16.30. Biblical downpour. Not to drown in the street, I go to the MBK mall for a “short” visit, and dinner. The dining area is a kind of court, with tables in the middle and a variety of Asian food stands at the sides. 70 baht for a Vietnamese pho, for nostalgia. When I leave the store, at around 20.00, the temperature has lowered at least 10 degrees.
8/13 Bangkok.
I pay a surcharge and keep my room until 20.30. By ferry, 15 baht, I reach the Phra Athit Pier, and Kao San Road, where I buy most of souvenirs. Then I go back to MBK, with combination ferry + skytrain, to complete my shopping, and have lunch, always at the same Vietnamese stand.
A taxi booked from the pension, 500 baht, takes me to the airport
8/14 Towards Milan
My plane leaves at 1.00 and, thanks to the time zone, at 13.45 the same day I land at Malpensa after another fabulous upgrade in business class on the Dubai-Milan flight, where I binge uncontrollably, and sleep like a pasha, among fluffy pillows, lying horizontally as in a real bed.
