All I knew about Bangkok was that it is the capital of Thailand and known for their delicious, spicy food. Well, I am familiar with Thai food and love it so I was looking forward to tasting the authentic cuisine.

Oh, and I knew that Thailand was a predominantly Buddhist country but I’d never been inside a temple before. I started getting excited about the prospect of embarking on this new adventure.

“…where to begin?”

When I began my research I read everything about what things to do and which places I wanted to visit. From the river to the streets to the markets to the temples… where to begin?

OK, so yea, you got me. You can’t see all of Bangkok in 3 days. But that’s all I had so I began prioritizing my time. If I must say so myself, I was able to see quite a bit of this fascinating city in the relatively short period of time. It was, however, super difficult to decide what fell into my “must see” category and what would have to wait until next time. Let’s just start with lodging.

We arrived at “Suva” Airport midday and were greeted by our shuttle driver who took us directly to our poshtel.

What in the world is a “poshtel?”

So you’re probably thinking: what is a poshtel? I’d never heard of the term, either. Come to find out a poshtel is a portmanteau or blended word for an upscale or luxury hostel which combines the style and comfort of a boutique hotel but is offered at the price and practicality of a hostel.

Let me stop you here. If you think this “hostel” is just a room with a shared bathroom (don’t mind my feet in this pic HA!), you are so wrong. Not only do you have your own bathroom but it has absolutely NO resemblance to a hostel in any way, shape or form. This unbelievable find is a wonderful place to stay at an affordable price. Check out more at Bangkok Saran here.

A typical room at the Bangkok Saran is simple yet has every amenity you need: a safe, refrigerator, air conditioning, television, closet, shelves, desk and chair, wifi, comfortable bed and linens, a comfy chair (not shown) and last but certainly not least international electrical plugs. As a traveler this last item is a luxury! And as I said earlier, you have your own bathroom with a toilet, shower and they provide 2-in-1 shampoo and a liquid soap dispenser.

And we got super lucky with a gorgeous view of the cable-stayed Rama VIII Bridge which crosses the Chao Phraya River from our window.

“All the comforts of home”

The price of the room comes with a full breakfast each morning and you are welcome to help yourself to a refrigerator full of bottled water [no charge] as often as you’d like. And they even have a washer and dryer [for a fee]. I did a load on my last day. All the comforts of home.

I highly recommend the simple yet charming Bangkok Saran. It’s located in the Old District near the Grand Palace, Khao San Road and the Big Reclining Buddha as well as the local market. The front desk staff are not only warm and friendly but also very helpful and accommodating. And they speak English really well!

After reviewing all of the information I had collected on what to see and do in Bangkok I decided that my 3 days visit would not be complete without experiencing the beauty of the city’s most famous landmark: the Grand Palace, the spiritual heart of Thailand. So I made sure to get there first thing in the morning.

Grand Palace

The plan for the day was to get there early enough to beat the crowds. I was lucky enough to be amongst the first 50 people in line at 10am when the doors opened.

The dress code for the Grand Palace  is very strict as it is the most sacred site in all of Thailand because it houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Both men and women are required to have their shoulders and legs covered, no see-through clothes and you must wear socks (no bare feet). A t-shirt and long pants or skirt should suffice.

“that was on my list to buy, anyway”

My sleeveless shirt and Roydio’s shorts fell short of the required dress code so we just stopped at the little shop near the entrance where he bought some elephant pants [that was on my list to buy, anyway] and I got myself a souvenir t-shirt. The prices were very affordable and now we had ourselves a couple of souvenirs! Win-win!

Once inside the Grand Palace, I picked up a map that shows the lay of the land. There are several buildings within the complex including the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand :: Wat Phra Kaew [Temple of the Emerald Buddha]. So I headed there first.  As I made my way over I couldn’t help but notice the exquisite detail on the facades of these impressive structures :: they were just jaw-dropping!

Inside Wat Phra Kaew is the highly revered Emerald Buddha which is meticulously carved from a single block of jade. Wow! Since this is the most sacred site in the complex I was not allowed to take pictures. I completely understood of course but I was pretty disappointed because this was truly an astonishing place. I now have to just keep this image ingrained in my memory for posterity.

The Grand Palace complex is filled with fascinating architecture. Everywhere I turned there was yet another beautiful statue or building made with intricate detail.

Most of the areas in the complex are accessible with the exception of the Inner Court which was once the residence of the King’s consorts and daughters. This space is completely off limits :: there are guards tending to making sure no one entered.

I seriously took at least a hundred pictures in the few hours I spent here but if I wanted to hit all of the must-do places on my list I had to make my way out. Plus the crowds were getting pretty heavy at that point and the perfect time to move on! I’m so glad I had the opportunity to have witnessed the overwhelming beauty of the Grand Palace. 

Wat Arun  :: Temple of Dawn

Certainly one of the world’s most famous landmarks the Wat Arun Temple stands tall above the city on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Leaving the Grand Palace I could see its tallest spire towering above everything else so it was not difficult to find. Just follow the spire. It called to me like a beacon in the night (ok, it was daytime, but you get what I’m saying).

The design of Wat Arun is quite different from other temples. The stunning beauty of its fine craftsmanship, the intricate patterns of colorful decorated spires made of fine Chinese porcelain, make it easy to see why many consider Wat Arun the most beautiful temple in all of Thailand.

Wat Arun is located on the river, the reflection of which makes this place even more captivating. If you were so inclined [see what I did there?] you can actually climb the inner spire which would have been a pretty amazing adventure in itself. But by this time in the day long lines were forming.

Tip :: if you are interested in doing this I’d suggest you get there very early in the day. I’ve heard the views from the top are spectacular. Louise missed her opportunity. Don’t be like Louise.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

One of my favorite things to do as I travel from place to place is to visit their local markets. I am always curious about how the local people live and the markets are a great way to get insight into their culture. Here in Bangkok, the sights and smells in the local markets are enchanting.

35 acres. Over 8,000 market stalls. More than 200,000 visitors on a typical weekend. That’s an overview of what Chatuchak is about. It was pretty overwhelming :: I only covered a small portion on this trip. And as you can see from my pictures I spent most of my time in the food section.

Some of the other things for sale here are clothing, accessories, plants, art, ceramics, books, antiques… the list goes on and on. I wasn’t in the market for souvenirs at this point [see what I did there?] and I wanted to cover more than just one market so I moved through as quickly as possible.

Ta Tien Market

The next market I visited was Ta Tien on the riverfront, hidden behind Wat Pho [Temple of the Reclining Buddha] in a heritage-style building that looks more like a warehouse.

A discreet door easily missed by the public opens to a tunnel that leads to this market place in which you will see all kinds of dried sea products in large sacks and fresh produce ranging from the well-known fruit and vegetables to totally alien-looking ingredients. Originally set up as a wholesale market they now sell also to the general public. I wish I could have taken some of this home.

What makes trading places such as this so interesting to me is that they provide a fascinating window into the local daily life and exactly what I find so intriguing. Ta Tien is very intimate compared to Chatuchak which I personally am much more attracted to so I could have easily spent more time here and probably would have if I had it.

We didn’t visit the Night Markets but click here to read about where they are.

Chao Phraya River Tour

Another must-do in Bangkok is a river tour on the Chao Phraya River [translation: “River of Kings”]. Chao Phraya is considered the life blood or main artery of the city. Many locals use the ferries to cross this river to get to and from work every day. And there are many tourist boats that sail on its waters. My tour guide spoke both Thai and English which made it more informative. I’m told some only talk Thai. “You talk Thai?” (Do you know what movie is that quote is from?)

“…city of contradictions…”

The tour I took sailed us past the ancient temples such as Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Arun as well as the modern high rises such as Shangri-la Bangkok Hotel, the Super Tower, Mahanakhon Tower and Canapaya residences. Bangkok is yet another city of contradictions where old world charm meets the 20th century.

It was refreshing to be given a unique local perspective of Bangkok on this river tour and I would recommend it if you plan to visit. Wish I’d taken more pics but the boat got a little rocky at times.

Floating Market Tour

One of the things on my must-do list was seeing the Floating Markets. There are several in the area in and around Bangkok and I figured the best way to see most of them is by taking a boat tour.

“…food is a really. big. deal.”

By now you must know that I’m obsessed with food because that’s all I seem to be photographing. HA! Well, in my intro I think I did mention (I should have included the word: WARNING) that food would be making an appearance in my blog posts. And Thailand is one of the top destinations where food is a really. big. deal. I may have to do a blog post just on the food. Hmmmm….

Lots of interesting things to see at the floating markets. I had to take a video of the fish. It is un.be.lievable how many fish are in this river. I’ve never seen anything like it! Apparently a real popular thing for tourists is to feed these fish and watch the frenzy that unfolds. Of course there are lots of other things floating in that water as well…

As I walked through one of the floating markets it was a nice surprise to hear an ensemble playing the angklung which is a musical instrument made of bamboo originating in Indonesia, the place where both my parents were born. So I am very familiar with the sound which gave this floating market a really fun and ethnic vibe. 

While on this “covered” boat tour and on this very warm day all of a sudden the sky turned dark, we heard super loud thunder and a couple of minutes later rains came pouring down for about 3-5 minutes. I mean HARD! I quickly learned another reason (besides the sun) why these boats are covered. Apparently this is a daily occurrence in Thailand. It actually kind of surprised me because it came on so suddenly! But boy did it cool down the temps… nature, doing its job.

I think some of the only English words this tour guide knew was “ok, everyone!” If you listen real closely you’ll hear her. It was quite comical. Turns out she is a karaoke singer. How do I know? At one of the stops she ran over to a stage and started singing karaoke. Oh, and then she continued singing on the boat! OMG best tour guide FAIL ever. Unless you like that kind of thing. I couldn’t bring myself to video-tape her because it really was bad. She sure was having fun though!

Khao San Road

Street food. Yep, that is one of the things Bangkok (probably all of Thailand) is best known for. And they really DO have the best street food on Khao San Road. If you’re a foodie or an amateur foodie like me you must come here to experience this food mania!

Tuk-tuk

If you’ve never taken a tuk-tuk before I highly recommend you try it. It is a popular mode of transportation among tourists and an experience you don’t want to miss. There are more practical and quicker ways to get around town but I guarantee it’s not as fun. And you get to see a lot on your way to wherever you’re going.

This particular trip we grabbed a tuk-tuk because it was starting to rain and it would have taken us a lot longer to get where we were going if we hadn’t grabbed it. As it turned out the rain stopped in about 5 minutes (as it always does) and we were able to get out and walk the rest of the way to Chinatown.

Chinatown

You will find a Chinatown in every major city in the world. Throughout history the Chinese worked hard to build up their own communities in wherever they had a mass migration. Food being a very important part of their culture bringing Chinatown to their new home was just a way of life.

Roydio’s grandmother who has long since passed away was full Chinese and so this heritage and culture have strongly influenced his life. Noodles and rice and soup have been staples in his family and continues to thrive with his generation and on. So whenever we travel to a different part of the world it is always a priority to find a Chinatown.

When we made it to Chinatown Roydio took the food game to a completely different level. One of his favorite foods in Southeast Asia has always been durian otherwise known as the “stinky fruit.” It can only be found in tropical climates which Thailand definitely is. So yea, he headed straight for the durian stand. I can’t get past the smell myself so I’ve never put it in my mouth. But he swears it tastes like heaven. You be the judge. Have you ever eaten durian?

Train Ride to Ayutthaya

Taking the train is probably the best and most efficient way to get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok. It is about a 2.5 hour train ride and I must say it’s quite an entertaining one.

Once onboard you can expect 6-7 vendors to come walking by at any given point to sell you snacks, drinks, toys and sometimes even full meals. They have a captive audience in you :: you’re not going anywhere :: so I’m sure they do really well.

We purchased a Thai iced coffee and felt as though we had done our part in keeping these people in business.

Once we arrived in Ayutthaya I was surprised at what a fun place it was. Again, food stalls abounded but everything seemed pretty affordable.

We caught the end of what appeared to be a cool fire show. Dang, we missed it. So we took a nice stroll around the facilities. What a cute place! They had a petting zoo, a small market like we’ve seen around Bangkok, a couple of cute little restaurants and shops…

We ended up having a few snacks and drinks there in an air conditioned shop with wifi that we had pretty much all to ourselves. It was nice to get out of the crowds for a bit.

1. There is a very strict dress code for entering the sacred temples in Thailand so be sure to wear something that covers your shoulders and legs (no tank tops or shorts) and nothing see-through. And you must wear socks inside the temple (no bare feet).
2. Another mode of transportation is “Grab” which is their version of Uber. Download the app. It works great!

Read more ::

Phuket :: Where the Action is… and Not

10 Reasons to Have Your Destination Birthday in Bali

My Favorite Travel Products :: Top 50

Bangkok was a pretty amazing city to visit but IMHO there are just too many places to see in just 3 days. It can be done as you see here. But next time I’d love to venture out and explore more down the Chao Phraya River to see where it would take me. I’m sure I’ll have more of the fried bananas on the street as well as the Pad Thai. My mouth is watering thinking about the Thai food. Yea, there will be food involved on my next trip for sure.

Tips for Bangkok ::

The post Bangkok :: How to See it in 3 Days appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

After researching several boutique hotels and Bed n Breakfasts both of which I really enjoy, I opted for staying in an Airbnb in Vienna.

Surprise #1 About Vienna :: Our Airbnb was over the top

“… she took us for a ride up the elevator to the third floor (whaaaat? an elevator? in Europe??)”

OMG I was absolutely blown away by the Airbnb Roydio found for us in Vienna! Christiane met us at the front door and took us for a ride up the elevator to the third floor. Whaaaat? An elevator? In Europe?? Then she gave us the grand tour. And I do mean GRAND!

The first thing I noticed about the apartment which appears to be normally used as a training/conference center (this is a first for me!) a conference-type living room with a full-sized conference room. The bedroom is located behind pocket doors and there are two full bathrooms. 

But the most amazing feature of this Airbnb is the huge windows to let in TONS of light and the most MAGNIFICENT view! 

Yes! This is what you see when you look out our windows! This definitely was one of the most magnificent views outside my window that I’ve ever seen and it was the first thing that surprised me about Vienna :: WOW!

When you enter you find a good-sized open kitchen area with all the sparkling water and local Ottakringer Lager you can drink :: nice perk!

This place is new. It is clean. But the best feature for sure was its location :: Location, LOCATION!

#1 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: our Airbnb

AirBnB Vienna: https://bit.ly/2QKHVcu
Otxakringer Lager: http://www.thebeerstore.ca/beers/ottakringer-wienerorigin

Surprise #2 About Vienna :: Stephansplatz, such a lively square!

Located smack in the center of Vienna, Stephansplatz is a lively square that actually incorporates residences and businesses outside the main square area. You can imagine my surprise when I realized that one of the most exuberant things about Vienna was right there outside my door!

Food stalls and shops galore line the square where you can wander for hours. And actually this is another thing that surprised me about Vienna :: the food wasn’t as boring as I’d remembered from my visits to Austria as a child. As a matter of fact it was rather tasty and special!

“We ate standing at a bar-height table…”

We stopped at what seemed like a very popular stand and ordered a sausage dish that was delicious.  We ate standing at a bar-height table as everyone else did. It was quite crowded so I was pleased when a table opened up just in time.

So yea, the #2 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: Stephansplatz. And the fact that it was right outside my door was more than I had ever imagined.

Surprise #3 About Vienna :: St. Stephan’s Cathedral, a sight to behold!

The main highlight of Stephansplatz is St. Stephan’s Cathedral.

Stephansdom, as it is known in Vienna, is a Romanesque and Gothic medieval cathedral which stands on the ruins of two earlier churches dating back to the 1100’s. One of the tallest churches in the world, I heard its bells ring proudly throughout the day as wells as in the evening. A truly breathtaking sight to see. A beautiful sound to hear especially since it is located directly in front of our Airbnb apartment! Seriously? No better view to be had, for sure! Unbelievable…

Parts of the cathedral require an entrance fee but the main sanctuary is free to the public and definitely worth a look (and listen).

It was so relaxing to wander the square and take in all the sounds and smells of my surroundings. The thought “I’m in Vienna!” kept creeping into my mind. This is a place I’ve always dreamed of visiting and I am actually here.

#3 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: St. Stephan’s Cathedral. I just opened my window and there it stood, in its grandeur and splendor! Magnificent doesn’t even begin to describe it.

But there is so much more to this area that is worth mentioning!

The Streets of Vienna

Not too far from my apartment in the oldest square of Vienna “Hoher Markt” I found a wonderful cafe called Joma Cafe Brasserie Bar which came with outstanding reviews and where Roydio and I had breakfast of a soft-boiled egg, toast and egg-filled avocado as well as a latte and hot chocolate. It was all yummy and worth the price we paid.

On the next block over is the famous Anchor Clock representing  a typical art nouveau design. Everyday at 12 noon it does a “dance.” I wasn’t there at the right time so I’m including a video I found online so you can see what it does…

I don’t know but I think I may have developed an affinity for clocks over the years, but this was definitely one of the things that surprised me about Vienna. It was absolutely beautiful!

Rathaus :: Vienna City Hall

The Rathaus is the Vienna City Hall and on the list of the most beautiful buildings in Vienna. Apparently there is always a lot of construction going on inside the Rathaus and sure enough when I was there so I didn’t get to go inside. If you’re there at Christmastime, I hear their decorations compare to none. But I was there in May, so…

I did, however, stop to take some pictures of the outside and the beautiful archways that frame it. 

Surprise #4 About Vienna :: Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride

They call them “fiakers” taken from the Parisian Rue de Saint Fiacre. Roydio and I took Fiaker Paul for a ride through Vienna’s historic City Center and were blessed with the perfect weather for it. We shared our two-horse carriage with an older couple from a different country. We didn’t recognize their language so we just smiled at each other. HA! 

You can easily find the fiaker stands in Stephansplatz, Michaelerplatz, Albertinaplatz, Petersplatz and Burgtheater/Volksgarten

“finding out where to get a Sachertorte was a close second!”

The driver spoke English and showed the four of us where Mozart and Sigmund Freud lived. He explained how old some of the buildings were and what their uses are. The highlight of the ride for me was seeing the Spanish Riding School. But finding out where to get a Sachertorte was a close second! The ride was a little bumpy so I wasn’t able to take good photos on our tour. Bummer. And the tour itself is rather pricey so I recommend doing the shorter. You can certainly see a lot of Vienna in 30 minutes!

The driver was kind enough to take our picture before we continued on our journey through Vienna on foot.

After our fiaker ride we spent some time going back and visiting some of the sites we passed that looked interesting. Although I’m glad we sprung for the carriage ride for the sheer sake of experiencing Vienna in this traditional way, I found that walking is still the best way to see everything in this beautiful city.

#4 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: the spectacular way to see it :: in a fiaker!

A little tidbit about Vienna

Vienna is known as Wien [pronounced VEEN] from whence you get the word WIENerschnitzel one of the city’s popular dishes. And for those who live in the US, no, they don’t serve hot dogs…. HA! Wienerschnitzel is actually fried breaded veal. 

Surprise #5 About Vienna :: Roman ruins at Michaelerplatz

I was pleasantly surprised to come across an archaeological excavation where remains of the Roman residential settlement for soldiers’ wives and children from back around 168AD were uncovered. And it apparently was also reputed to have been used as a brothel for those soldiers.

At the junction of two road routes which led across the Kohlmarkt and Michaelerplatz, four different buildings were discovered, inhabited until into the fifth century. A foundation stone was found west of the road junction indicating the existence here of a pillar-type commemorative tomb or monument.

“it’s a must-see for sure, especially if you’re a history buff”

What a find, this portion of the Wien Museum right in the middle of Michaelerplatz. Located directly in front of the palace complex of the Hofburg which is also one of the pick up locations for the “fiakers.” It’s a must-see for sure, especially if you’re a history buff.

#5 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: I definitely wasn’t expecting to find these amazing Roman ruins in the middle of town! And it was awesome to see some of these other places on our ride through town ::

Hofburg, Vienna seat of government

As of the 13th century Hofburg has been the documented seat of government for Vienna and was the former imperial palace. Today this is the residence and workplace of the President of Austria. It’s a beautiful grand building located across from Heroes Square, the Kaiser Apartments (renting for $87 and up), the Sisi Museum and Maria-Theresian Platz.

At the dome below the Kaiser Apartments, it appeared to be tradition for people to stand in the center and sing out loud because apparently the acoustics in the dome are magnificent. And it certainly was!

There were several men who took their place in the center of the dome and began singing their hearts out while I was there. It would probably have been considered rude of me to video tape their performances so I decided against it. But it sure was fun to see and hear! And it seriously ranks as one of the things that surprised me about Vienna. I know, I’m quirky like that. But these types of little unexpected experiences is what make traveling so special to me.

Heroes Square also known as Heidenplatz is most notably the place where Adolf Hitler announced the annexation of Austria to Nazi Germany in 1938. So many historical places in such close proximity to each other. It made me just stop and think about how grateful I am for the freedoms we enjoy. 

Viennese cafes and coffeehouses

Famous for their cafes and coffee houses I made it a point to keep an eye out for all the cute little Viennese places on my way to here or there. It was fun just strolling down the streets of Vienna and happening upon opportunities to enjoy a cup of coffee, some sparking water and perhaps a light lunch or snack.

“the famous Cafe Mozart, one of the oldest traditional Viennese coffee houses in Vienna”

As I trekked across town I found the main Tourist office and with info and maps in hand decided to go across the street to the famous Cafe Mozart, one of the oldest traditional Viennese coffee houses in Vienna, to strategize plans for the next couple of days. Located in the heart of the city this 200 year old coffee house was highly recommended in all the reviews we read. Roydio and I chose seating outside on the patio and ordered an espresso and lemonade to discuss our plans. Seriously, our drinks were wonderful but not worth the 11.50 Eu we paid (hence no pastry). I guess sometimes you just have to pay the standard fare for touristy places. Buy hey, I can now say “I’ve been to Cafe Mozart.”

Hop On Hop Off Bus Vienna

“I highly recommend it!”

Throughout my travels I usually try to find a HOHO bus which is a great mode of transportation. Buy a one-day pass for a great way to see everything the city has to offer and then go back to the places that interest you. I highly recommend it. You can hop on and hop off wherever you think you’d like to spend more time. But this time I took it from beginning to end just to see an overview of the city because I planned to do a lot of walking here.

If the day is beautiful and warm you’ll have an unobstructed view sitting outside on top. If it’s too chilly or if it rains, inside provides shelter from the elements. Either way, it’s a great way to see the entire city because there is a lot to see!

I saw so many special places on this HOHO bus ride including the Danube River, St Francis of Assisi Church, the Millennium Tower and the Donauturm. Happy to have had such a nice day in which to enjoy the ride. Such a great way to see so much.

Surprise #6 About Vienna :: Schoenbrunn Palace, one of the best

The idea to see the Schoenbrunn Palace actually came from my granddaughter Samy who recently visited there. Upon arrival I found out that the busiest months to visit Schoenbrunn are April to September and the busiest times are 10am-12pm on the weekend. And wouldn’t you know it :: I found myself there in May on a Saturday at 10am… HA!

“…research ahead for this one”

The line for tickets kept me waiting the better part of 2 hours. The time slot I was given was 3:30pm so yea my timing was the worst possible. Too bad this is one place I did not research ahead before visiting. But now I’ve experienced it for you so you don’t have to! I’ve placed some “tips” at the bottom of this post regarding what you can expect when you come to Schoenbrunn.

Schoenbrunn Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is my goal in life to visit as many of the UNESCO sites as possible; so far I’ve seen maybe 20+.  Having known better but much to my chagrin I was not allowed to take photographs inside the palace. As a matter of fact they took my purse and emptied my pockets prior to gaining entrance. But let me just say I’ve been to a lot of palaces around the world including what many people consider to be the most beautiful, the Forbidden City in China, but Schoenbrunn must be in the top ten. Go see it!

The grounds of the Schoenbrunn are unbelievably grand much like that of the Palace of Versailles but smaller in scale in which you can spend the better part of the day wandering the grounds. In fact that is exactly what you will do if you don’t book your tickets and a time slot ahead of time (again, check my “tips” at the bottom of this post).
https://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/

#6 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: Schoenbrunn Palace was magnificent!

Surprise #7 About Vienna :: Glorietta, the best view in Vienna

“On this beautifully tree-lined path you will run across gardens and waterfalls and statues and fountains…”

I did exactly that: wandered the grounds while waiting for my time slot. I must say it wasn’t the worst way to kill time. The gardens were magnificent! Although there is a tram (for a fee) that takes you to the panoramic terrace called the Glorietta, knowing I had a lot of time I opted to just take the leisurely stroll up the hill. On this beautifully tree-lined path you will run across gardens and waterfalls and statues and fountains… I would highly recommend you not miss the opportunity to experience this peaceful journey on your way to the highest point of this expansive property.

Once I arrived at the Glorietta, I was awestruck at the gorgeous view! From this vantage point you can see the palace in all its glory. The massive surroundings as well as the city of Vienna behind it make a memory in your mind that will last a lifetime.

#7 thing that surprised me in Vienna :: the amazing view of the entire town from the Glorietta! I wished we could have stayed up there and enjoyed the view for a lot longer than we did.

It would have been nice to have brought a picnic lunch and sat on the grass to enjoy it at my leisure as others were doing. They obviously did their research!

There is a restaurant and swimming pool (for a fee) around the back side of the Glorietta which gives the perfect location for respite before heading back down to the Palace. On Sundays there is a brunch with live music.

“watching the Royal Wedding was so surreal”

It just so happens that I was at Schoenbrunn on the day the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle was taking place so during our lunch there I watched a portion of the ceremony on my phone. I have to say it was kind of surreal being at a palace in Vienna while watching the Royals in Windsor. It made me feel as though we were sort of connected…

Back at the apartment

We spent our last evening in Vienna enjoying the nighttime activities in Stephansplatz and ended up at one of the food stands to order dinner. We found what looked like a delicious local dish made with pork and crushed potatoes with onions called “Greste Krumpian.” We then walked over to our favorite bakery Aida Cafe/Konditorei for dessert. We brought our dinner back to our apartment and enjoyed the magnificent view from our amazing Airbnb one last night. 

Of all the things that surprised me about Vienna, the ambiance was evident everywhere we went. From the history to the architecture to the food and the coffee shops :: Vienna was a spectacular find.

Is it time to leave already?

Vienna exceeded all of my expectations… holding all of the old-world charm I had hoped for. Yet this is a city of contradictions with it’s unique blend of imperial traditions and stunning modern architecture. And although we crammed a lot into this three-day booking, the time passed much too quickly and I found myself wishing we could stay longer! Vienna, you are beautiful and I’ll definitely make it a point to return…

TIPS for Schoenbrunn:

1. Plan to visit during the off-season prior to April or after September
2. Plan to arrive on a weekday either early in the morning or later in the afternoon
3. Buy your tickets online; book your time slot before you arrive
4. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the beautiful grassy field
5. Bring bottled water. You will need it walking around the vast grounds
6. Know that they will take your bag/purse before entering the palace so be sure not to bring valuables
7. Arrive on Sunday to enjoy brunch in the Glorietta as well as live music ranging from the classics to jazz

TIPS for Vienna:

1. Don’t expect everyone to speak English
2. You’ll have to ask for the bill
3. Stores usually close early
4. There are no non-smoking areas
5. Be sure to carry change (public restrooms charge)
6. Subway: don’t sit where it says “blind,” “pregnant,” “elderly”
7. Tipping: 10% is suitable
8. Let little old ladies cut the line in front of you; it’s expected
9. Don’t forget to partake in a Sachertorte

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Tip #1 :: Choosing the perfect cruise line

The first of the Cruise Tips I have for you is in choosing a cruise line. Why? Because they all differ in personality. If you stop to consider what vibe suits you best you will be guaranteed a great time because it will fit your personality.

It has to be said that all of the cruise lines try and provide something to please everyone. But trust me when I tell you :: it is possible to wind up on a cruise ship with food that you’re not happy with, entertainment that doesn’t suit you and people with whom you have nothing in common. There’s nothing worse.

And that’s why my number one cruise tip is to choose your cruise line first. And I always advised that you do your research well in advance. I’ve taken four different cruise lines over the last 30+ years and these are the ones I am sharing with you ::

Carnival 

Known as the “Fun Ships” Carnival seems to be especially focused on pleasing the party-goers, singles and families with children and they make it more affordable so the cost fits into the budget of this demographic. And with the fun also comes a lot of noise. Yes, Carnival ships can get loud. But if you’re all about the fun, that will be perfect for you. They provide a party atmosphere out by the pool all day and night.

Carnival sails to :: Alaska, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, Transatlantic and Transpacific.

Carnival’s main dining room food quality is fine and it is all included in the price of your cruise so if you don’t like something you can always ask for something else. It’s a lot of fun when you go with a large group to dine together every night. And if you are traveling as a couple you can eat at your own table or ask to be seated with a larger group for dinner. It’s a great way to meet new people. But just remember you will be dining with these same people every night.

There are lots of other food venues on board that are included in the price of your cruise as well such as the ever popular Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint, 24-hour pizza on the Lido deck and many others. When we traveled with our family we spent a lot of time on the Lido deck because who doesn’t like fresh, homemade pizza? They provide lots of choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Royal Caribbean

The cost of an RCCL cruise won’t break your bank depending, of course, on what type of cabin you choose and if you opt out of the specialty dining venues they offer. Their large ships never seem crowded no matter where you go even though their largest ship accommodates 6600 passengers and 3000 crew members.

RCCL sails to :: Alaska, Arabian Gulf, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada/NE, Caribbean, Europe, Pacific Northwest, Panama, South Pacific, Transatlantic and Transpacific.

The entertainment on board is fabulous – their broadway productions are magnificent. The main dining room food quality is good. Their specialty dining restaurants are great.

Celebrity

Celebrity sails to :: Alaska, Asia, Australia/NZ, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Dubai, Europe, Galapagos, Hawaii, Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, Transatlantic and Transpacific.

With moderate cruise pricing they also offer good main dining room food quality. I would rate them a notch above Royal Caribbean for their food. And their itineraries are pretty spectacular.

They have a tendency to cater to the the older British crowd out of the UK (we left out of Southampton) where the entertainment is also focused on the Brits. That’s what we discovered at least. But it’s party time almost anywhere else.

We took Celebrity Equinox out of Istanbul when they still included that port. Since the US Embassy bombing in Ankara in 2003 cruise lines have removed Turkey from their itinerary altogether. But this was truly the best cruise I’ve ever taken. Istanbul to Barcelona and 12 stops in between. I would do it again in a heartbeat. And Celebrity was the perfect cruise line for it.

Norwegian

Norwegian sails to :: Africa, Alaska, Asia, Austrialia/NZ, Bahamas, Canada/NE, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, Pacific Coast, Panama, South America and Transatlantic.

The Norwegian cabins have a tendency to be a bit smaller than the average cruise ship but you won’t be able to tell. We couldn’t. Their main dining room food quality is better than average as is their on board entertainment. They have really stepped up their game when it comes to on board entertainment. Their ship Norwegian Bliss even has a race track!

I loved cruising with Norwegian – we’ve taken the Escape and the Epic and they were both fabulous!

So there you have the run down on four of the top cruise lines IMHO and the ones I personally have experience with. I have enjoyed each one and they each have their strengths so it just depends on what you are looking for in a cruise. But wait, I have more cruise tips for you ::

Tip #2 :: Choosing the perfect ship

Choosing a ship is my next priority and one of the most important of my cruise tips for you. It’s probably because I’ve had so many to compare that I am more persnickety about the ship I want to take on my next cruise. Once you’ve sailed a few times you realize what you like and what you don’t like so my opinions come from my experience ::

SIZE / AGE

I have found that the size and age of the ship is the number one priority for me. Yes, destinations are important too but if the itinerary is great and the ship is old and doesn’t have all the amenities I like having then it makes for a dull time while at sea. The newer ships tend to be not only larger but also have better amenities onboard to make the cruise much more fun.

The smaller ships can get to places the larger ships can’t such as rivers and canals. But they are also not as stable as the larger ships so you will feel the movement of the waves a lot more. And I find that they also target an older crowd with less amenities than do the larger ships.

CLASS

The class of the ship also determines how much will be available to you while you are onboard. The higher the class the more expensive but also the more comfortable and luxurious your experience will be. Many times the class will also determine the ship’s age.

AMENITIES

Amenities are important if you are going to spend any time at sea at all. For instance, depending on the destination, on a 7-day cruise you could be spending half of the time at sea. And if your options only include a crowded pool outside or crowded restaurants inside you may not enjoy your cruise as much as a larger ship. Consider how much you would be willing to spend to upgrade your class of ship so that amenities are plenty.

Tip #3 :: Choosing the perfect itinerary

It almost isn’t as important to me to choose the specific itinerary because once you decide what kind of cruise you want there are so many different ports you have to choose from each hold something special and many different options. I’ve been to the same ports two or more times and I always find new places to explore so consider this as another one of my important cruise tips ::

DESTINATIONS

Whether you want to spend your port time in the water or on a beach or taking land excursions, choosing your destination is very important. Take time to explore all the different options, there are many!

TIME OF YEAR

Just as above and of course very important when considering a cruise, you will want to keep the time of year in mind. Before June and after September you can expect cooler weather and even some rain and the ocean water tends to be colder in places like Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. I don’t think a little rain is always a bad thing, especially in places like Pompeii or Athens where the heat can be overwhelming. But just consider that when choosing the time of year for your cruise.

PORTS

Consider the location you will be sailing out of. West Coast, East Coast or even a destination port. Because that can be really fun!

LENGTH OF CRUISE

Cruise length ranges anywhere from 3 days to 21 days on a regular cruise itinerary so one of my tips is to consider length. It all depends on where you want to go and what your budget is. Personally I have taken so many cruises that a 3-day cruise seems just too short. Sometimes even 7 days isn’t long enough for me anymore. My personal preference is a 14-day cruise or longer. And I love Europe and the Mediterranean so that time frame is perfect for those destinations.

Also consider how much time you prefer to be at sea as opposed to stopping at ports. There are lots of activities on board a larger ship in case you are spending several days at sea. But if you’re an adventurer you may opt for a cruise that includes several ports. There is no wrong or right. The choice is yours. But one of my tips for choosing a cruise is to consider how much time you want to be at sea.

EXCURSIONS

You can choose and reserve your cruise excursions when you are onboard your ship but one of my tips would be not to waste your precious vacation time doing this. There are always very long lines for Guest Services because other people haven’t planned ahead and booked online. I suggest you do all of your research prior to your cruise and book your excursions well ahead of time. You will have more choice before they are sold out and you can enjoy your cruise time doing fun things on board.

Another one of my tips is to spend time doing some research and trying to find reputable cruise excursions by companies who are not necessarily affiliated with your cruise line. Chances are your excursion will be cheaper and many times you can find a better choice for you and your friends/family. Make sure you do careful research on the company offering excursions. Although there are many reputable ones, there are also some that are not. Cruisecritic.com is a valuable forum resource where you can get others’ recommendations of excursions you are thinking of booking. My personal preference is finding local companies to those offered by the cruise line. It is their business to show you a great time and get you back to the ship in plenty of time. We have experienced some fantastic excursions by researching those with rave reviews and high ratings found on cruisecritic.com and tripadvisor.com.

Tip #4 :: Choosing the perfect cabin

When it comes to a cabin it really is a personal preference. When I cruise I like my cabin to feel like I’m at home so another one of my tips is to consider what kind of cabin you’d like. I prefer a higher middle deck and I prefer a balcony because of the views and the fresh sea air. But if you’re not picky and you want to keep your budget to a minimum you may opt for an inside cabin. Again, the choice is yours ::

LOCATION

The location of your cabin may be important to you if you have a tendency to have motion sickness. Low and middle is my recommendation if the “sway” of the ship will hinder your ability to have a good time and/or sleep.

If motion sickness is not a problem, consider the area of the ship you will be spending a lot of your time. Go online and check out the map of your ship. If you like to go to the pool, try and get a room nearer to that side of the ship so it will be easy and less time-consuming getting to and from your room. If you want a great view of the sunrise, sunset or land check out the route of the ship to see what side of the ship will give you the best views.

TYPE

There are several choices of cabins available depending on your budget and your preferences. Inside cabins are the cheapest rooms available but you will not have a view and they have a tendency to feel smaller and closed in without windows. The cabin choices go up from there all the way to outside and balconies and suites. Think about what’s important to you when traveling and make sure to choose something that will be comfortable for you. This is definitely one of my best cruise tips. Don’t just go for cheap :: the difference is only dollars so be sure you get what you will be comfortable in.

CLASS

There are also different classes of cabins, some that come with concierge and/or butler service. If that is important to you make sure to look into how much extra it will cost and if it makes sense for your budget.

Tip #5 :: Choosing the perfect embarkation location

I really enjoy taking my time and arriving at my cruise port at least a day early. Sometimes I even arrive 3-5 days early especially if it’s a location I’ve never been to before. And there’s also the option of lengthening your vacation by staying longer. One thing I’d love to do is take back-to-back cruises but I have yet to experience that so I can’t give you input on that. So here is what I recommend ::

CITY

When choosing a cruise take into consideration where you will be embarking. The port city may be near other things you are interesting in doing or seeing. Some cruises will embark in one city and disembark in another city. That might be an option. But be sure you check to see which itineraries offer what you prefer.

PROXIMITY

How far is your cruise port from where you live? Take into consideration the cost for your flights and/or other transportation you will need to pay for before even getting onto your cruise ship. And if you are driving make sure you check out where is the best place to park your car for the time you’re gone. They do have parking at the port but from what I hear it is much more expensive than the off-site parking lots, some of which provide shuttles to the port.

Tip #6 :: Planning fun before and after

Once you have chosen your cruise line, destination, ship, destination, cabin and embarkation point you can start researching and planning your time before and after your cruise. This is one of my favorite cruise tips! Take your time :: it’s your vacation so make it last as long as you can!

LODGING

It is good to stay in lodging that is in close proximity to the port, dining options and with other interesting places within a short drive or walking distance to enjoy. Whether you choose a hotel, resort or AirBnb is up to you. Many hotels offer shuttle service to the port or you can take an Uber if they don’t. If you’re near by it won’t cost much.

OUTINGS

Try to find some great things to do that are not far from your hotel. Having a pool at the hotel is always a great way to start relaxing. I chose an Escape Room for us to experience prior to our cruise out of Miami. It was a lot of fun. We also ate at some great restaurants nearby that feature Latin food to get us in the vacation mood.

When we traveled to Istanbul to start on our 14-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise we arrived 4 days early to explore Istanbul itself. And when we disembarked in Barcelona we spent several days there as well. It is so much fun to take advantage of the cities in which you’ve never been before. I mean, who knows if you’ll ever have the chance to return? May as well take advantage of being there if you have the time, right?

I hope some of my cruising tips will give you food for thought as you begin planning! I’m so excited for you because whether this is your first time or you’re a veteran cruiser, I know you will have an absolutely fabulous time!

Let me know if cruising is in your plans for the near future and if some of my tips have helped you to decide some of the details!

Bon Voyage!

Read More ::

Girls Trip :: Come, Let’s Sail Away

How to Pack a Carryon For a Cruise in 10 Easy Steps

Ultimate Guide to Symphony of the Seas

Best Travel Tips After 30 Years of Traveling

The post 6 Cruise Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect One appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

All I knew about Bangkok was that it is the capital of Thailand and known for their delicious, spicy food. Well, I am familiar with Thai food and love it so I was looking forward to tasting the authentic cuisine.

Oh, and I knew that Thailand was a predominantly Buddhist country but I’d never been inside a temple before. I started getting excited about the prospect of embarking on this new adventure.

“…where to begin?”

When I began my research I read everything about what things to do and which places I wanted to visit. From the river to the streets to the markets to the temples… where to begin?

OK, so yea, you got me. You can’t see all of Bangkok in 3 days. But that’s all I had so I began prioritizing my time. If I must say so myself, I was able to see quite a bit of this fascinating city in the relatively short period of time. It was, however, super difficult to decide what fell into my “must see” category and what would have to wait until next time. Let’s just start with lodging.

We arrived at “Suva” Airport midday and were greeted by our shuttle driver who took us directly to our poshtel.

What in the world is a “poshtel?”

So you’re probably thinking: what is a poshtel? I’d never heard of the term, either. Come to find out a poshtel is a portmanteau or blended word for an upscale or luxury hostel which combines the style and comfort of a boutique hotel but is offered at the price and practicality of a hostel.

Let me stop you here. If you think this “hostel” is just a room with a shared bathroom (don’t mind my feet in this pic HA!), you are so wrong. Not only do you have your own bathroom but it has absolutely NO resemblance to a hostel in any way, shape or form. This unbelievable find is a wonderful place to stay at an affordable price.
https://www.bangkoksaran.com

A typical room at the Bangkok Saran is simple yet has every amenity you need: a safe, refrigerator, air conditioning, television, closet, shelves, desk and chair, wifi, comfortable bed + linens, a comfy chair (not shown) + last but certainly not least international electrical plugs. As a traveler this last item is a luxury! And as I said earlier, you have your own bathroom with a toilet, shower + they provide 2-in-1 shampoo + a liquid soap dispenser.

And we got super lucky with a gorgeous view of the cable-stayed Rama VIII Bridge which crosses the Chao Phraya River from our window.

“All the comforts of home”

The price of the room comes with a full breakfast each morning + you are welcome to help yourself to a refrigerator full of bottled water [no charge] as often as you’d like. And they even have a washer + dryer [for a fee]. I did a load on my last day. All the comforts of home.

I highly recommend the simple yet charming Bangkok Saran. It’s located in the Old District near the Grand Palace, Khao San Road and the Big Reclining Buddha as well as the local market. The front desk staff are not only warm + friendly but also very helpful + accommodating. And they speak English really well!

After reviewing all of the information I had collected on what to see + do in Bangkok I decided that my 3 days visit would not be complete without experiencing the beauty of the city’s most famous landmark: the Grand Palace, the spiritual heart of Thailand. So I made sure to get there first thing in the morning.

Grand Palace

The plan for the day was to get there early enough to beat the crowds. I was lucky enough to be amongst the first 50 people in line at 10am when the doors opened.

The dress code for the Grand Palace  is very strict as it is the most sacred site in all of Thailand because it houses the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Both men + women are required to have their shoulders and legs covered, no see-through clothes + you must wear socks (no bare feet). A t-shirt + long pants or skirt should suffice.

“that was on my list to buy, anyway”

My sleeveless shirt + Roydio’s shorts fell short of the required dress code so we just stopped at the little shop near the entrance where he bought some elephant pants [that was on my list to buy, anyway] + I got myself a souvenir t-shirt. The prices were very affordable + now we had ourselves a couple of souvenirs! Win-win!

Once inside the Grand Palace, I picked up a map that shows the lay of the land. There are several buildings within the complex including the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand :: Wat Phra Kaew [Temple of the Emerald Buddha]. So I headed there first.  As I made my way over I couldn’t help but notice the exquisite detail on the facades of these impressive structures :: they were just jaw-dropping!

Inside Wat Phra Kaew is the highly revered Emerald Buddha which is meticulously carved from a single block of jade. Wow! Since this is the most sacred site in the complex I was not allowed to take pictures. I completely understood of course but I was pretty disappointed because this was truly an astonishing place. I now have to just keep this image ingrained in my memory for posterity.

The Grand Palace complex is filled with fascinating architecture. Everywhere I turned there was yet another beautiful statue or building made with intricate detail.

Most of the areas in the complex are accessible with the exception of the Inner Court which was once the residence of the King’s consorts + daughters. This space is completely off limits :: there are guards tending to making sure no one entered.

I seriously took at least a hundred pictures in the few hours I spent here but if I wanted to hit all of the must-do places on my list I had to make my way out. Plus the crowds were getting pretty heavy at that point and the perfect time to move on! I’m so glad I had the opportunity to have witnessed the overwhelming beauty of the Grand Palace. 

Wat Arun  :: Temple of Dawn

Certainly one of the world’s most famous landmarks the Wat Arun Temple stands tall above the city on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. Leaving the Grand Palace I could see its tallest spire towering above everything else so it was not difficult to find. Just follow the spire. It called to me like a beacon in the night [ok, it was daytime, but you get what I’m saying].

The design of Wat Arun is quite different from other temples. The stunning beauty of its fine craftsmanship, the intricate patterns of colorful decorated spires made of fine Chinese porcelain, make it easy to see why many consider Wat Arun the most beautiful temple in all of Thailand.

Wat Arun is located on the river, the reflection of which makes this place even more captivating. If you were so inclined [see what I did there?] you can actually climb the inner spire which would have been a pretty amazing adventure in itself. But by this time in the day long lines were forming.

Tip :: if you are interested in doing this I’d suggest you get there very early in the day. I’ve heard the views from the top are spectacular. Louise missed her opportunity. Don’t be like Louise.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

One of my favorite things to do as I travel from place to place is to visit their local markets. I am always curious about how the local people live + the markets are a great way to get insight into their culture. Here in Bangkok, the sights + smells in the local markets are enchanting.

35 acres. Over 8,000 market stalls. More than 200,000 visitors on a typical weekend. That’s an overview of what Chatuchak is about. It was pretty overwhelming :: I only covered a small portion on this trip. And as you can see from my pictures I spent most of my time in the food section.

Some of the other things for sale here are clothing, accessories, plants, art, ceramics, books, antiques… the list goes on + on. I wasn’t in the market for souvenirs at this point [see what I did there?] + I wanted to cover more than just one market so I moved through as quickly as possible.

Ta Tien Market

The next market I visited was Ta Tien on the riverfront, hidden behind Wat Pho [Temple of the Reclining Buddha] in a heritage-style building that looks more like a warehouse.

A discreet door easily missed by the public opens to a tunnel that leads to this market place in which you will see all kinds of dried sea products in large sacks + fresh produce ranging from the well-known fruit + vegetables to totally alien-looking ingredients. Originally set up as a wholesale market they now sell also to the general public. I wish I could have taken some of this home.

What makes trading places such as this so interesting to me is that they provide a fascinating window into the local daily life + exactly what I find so intriguing. Ta Tien is very intimate compared to Chatuchak which I personally am much more attracted to so I could have easily spent more time here + probably would have if I had it.

Chao Phraya River Tour

Another must-do in Bangkok is a river tour on the Chao Phraya River [translation: “River of Kings”]. Chao Phraya is considered the life blood or main artery of the city. Many locals use the ferries to cross this river to get to + from work every day. And there are many tourist boats that sail on its waters. My tour guide spoke both Thai + English which made it more informative. I’m told some only talk Thai. “You talk Thai?” [Do you know what movie is that quote is from?]

“…city of contradictions…”

The tour I took sailed us past the ancient temples such as Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew + Wat Arun as well as the modern high rises such as Shangri-la Bangkok Hotel, the Super Tower, Mahanakhon Tower + Canapaya residences. Bangkok is yet another city of contradictions where old world charm meets the 20th century.

It was refreshing to be given a unique local perspective of Bangkok on this river tour + I would recommend it if you plan to visit. [Wish I’d taken more pics but the boat got a little rocky at times.]

Floating Market Tour

One of the things on my must-do list was seeing the Floating Markets. There are several in the area in + around Bangkok and I figured the best way to see most of them is by taking a boat tour.

“…food is a really. big. deal.”

By now you must know that I’m obsessed with food because that’s all I seem to be photographing. HA! Well, in my intro I think I did mention [I should have included the word: WARNING] that food would be making an appearance in my blog posts. And Thailand is one of the top destinations where food is a really. big. deal. I may have to do a blog post just on the food. Hmmmm….

Lots of interesting things to see at the floating markets. I had to take a video of the fish. It is un.be.lievable how many fish are in this river. I’ve never seen anything like it! Apparently a real popular thing for tourists is to feed these fish + watch the frenzy that unfolds. Of course there are lots of other things floating in that water as well…

As I walked through one of the floating markets it was a nice surprise to hear an ensemble playing the angklung which is a musical instrument made of bamboo originating in Indonesia, the place where both my parents were born. So I am very familiar with the sound which gave this floating market a really fun and ethnic vibe. 

While on this “covered” boat tour + on this very warm day all of a sudden the sky turned dark, we heard super loud thunder + a couple of minutes later rains came pouring down for about 3-5 minutes. I mean HARD! I quickly learned another reason [besides the sun] why these boats are covered. Apparently this is a daily occurrence in Thailand. It actually kind of surprised me because it came on so suddenly! But boy did it cool down the temps… nature, doing its job.

I think some of the only English words this tour guide knew was “ok, everyone!” If you listen real closely you’ll hear her. It was quite comical. Turns out she is a karaoke singer. How do I know? At one of the stops she ran over to a stage + started singing karaoke. Oh, and then she continued singing on the boat! OMG best tour guide FAIL ever. Unless you like that kind of thing. I couldn’t bring myself to video-tape her because it really was bad. She sure was having fun though!

Khao San Road

Street food. Yep, that is one of the things Bangkok [probably all of Thailand] is best known for. And they really DO have the best street food on Khao San Road. If you’re a foodie or an amateur foodie like me you must come here to experience this food mania!

Tuk-tuk

If you’ve never taken a tuk-tuk before I highly recommend you try it. It is a popular mode of transportation among tourists + an experience you don’t want to miss. There are more practical + quicker ways to get around town but I guarantee it’s not as fun. And you get to see a lot on your way to wherever you’re going.

This particular trip we grabbed a tuk-tuk because it was starting to rain + it would have taken us a lot longer to get where we were going if we hadn’t grabbed it. As it turned out the rain stopped in about 5 minutes [as it always does] + we were able to get out + walk the rest of the way to Chinatown.

Chinatown

You will find a Chinatown in every major city in the world. Throughout history the Chinese worked hard to build up their own communities in wherever they had a mass migration. Food being a very important part of their culture bringing Chinatown to their new home was just a way of life.

Roydio’s grandmother who has long since passed away was full Chinese + so this heritage + culture have strongly influenced his life. Noodles + rice + soup have been staples in his family + continues to thrive with his generation + on. So whenever we travel to a different part of the world it is always a priority to find a Chinatown.

When we made it to Chinatown Roydio took the food game to a completely different level. One of his favorite foods in Southeast Asia has always been durian otherwise known as the “stinky fruit.” It can only be found in tropical climates which Thailand definitely is. So yea, he headed straight for the durian stand. I can’t get past the smell myself so I’ve never put it in my mouth. But he swears it tastes like heaven. You be the judge. Have you ever eaten durian?

Elephant ride in Ayutthaya

Taking the train is probably the best + most efficient way to get to Ayutthaya from Bangkok. It is about a 2.5 hour train ride + I must say it’s quite an entertaining one.

Once onboard you can expect 6-7 vendors to come walking by at any given point to sell you snacks, drinks, toys and sometimes even full meals. They have a captive audience in you :: you’re not going anywhere :: so I’m sure they do really well.

We purchased a Thai iced coffee + felt as though we had done our part in keeping these people in business.

Once we arrived in Ayutthaya I was surprised at what a fun place it was. Again, food stalls abounded but everything seemed pretty affordable. We negotiated the price of the elephant ride + ended up pretty pleased.

While we were waiting there was a fire show but just caught the smoke end of it. So we took a nice stroll around the facilities. What a cute place! They had a petting zoo, a small market like we’ve seen around Bangkok, a couple of cute little restaurants + shops…

We ended up having a few snacks + drinks there in an air conditioned shop with wifi that we had pretty much all to ourselves. It was nice to get out of the crowds for a bit.

I’ve heard a lot about how animal rights activists are not in favor of riding elephants.

I actually checked out the training facilities + read up on Ayutthaya specifically. Everything I found was contrary to what I’d heard. These animals do provide their riders with an income but they are well cared for + treated humanely as far as I could tell. Perhaps things have changed for the better in recent years.

“the riders treat them with love and respect.”

There is an Elephant Stay nearby that helps assure that the animals are all treated well. Everyone there says they have never seen them abused in any way :: that the riders treat them with love + respect. And I was so happy to hear that.

On our ride the “mahout” or rider laughed + joked around with our elephant. She was responsive + playful. He made sure she was hydrated + took a rest here + there. And when we returned to the boarding station he brought her over to the rest area before her next ride. I was really impressed with how he treated her.

It was an incredible experience :: one that I certainly will never forget.

Bangkok was a pretty amazing city to visit but IMHO there are just too many places to see in just 3 days. It can be done as you see here. But next time I’d love to venture out + explore more down the Chao Phraya River to see where it would take me. I’m sure I’ll have more of the fried bananas on the street as well as the Pad Thai. My mouth is watering thinking about the Thai food. Yea, there will be food involved on my next trip for sure.

Tips for Bangkok ::

1. There is a very strict dress code for entering the sacred temples in Thailand so be sure to wear something that covers your shoulders + legs (no tank tops or shorts) + nothing see-through. And you must wear socks inside the temple (no bare feet).
2. Train to Ayutthaya, be prepared to buy snacks + drinks onboard.
3. In Ayutthaya, be sure to bargain down the cost of the elephant ride. Bargaining is a way of life in Southeast Asia. They expect it. And on this particular adventure they will come WAY down in price.
4. Another mode of transportation is “Grab” which is their version of Uber. Download the app. It works great!

Read more ::

Phuket :: Where the Action is… and Not

10 Reasons to Have Your Destination Birthday in Bali

My Favorite Travel Products :: Top 50

The post How to See Bangkok in 3 Days appeared first on Where in the World is Louise?.

After researching several boutique hotels + Bed n Breakfasts both of which I really enjoy, I opted for staying in an Airbnb in Vienna.

Surprise #1 About Vienna :: Our Airbnb was over the top

“… she took us for a ride up the elevator to the third floor (whaaaat? an elevator? in Europe??)”

OMG I was absolutely blown away by the Airbnb Roydio found for us in Vienna! Christiane met us at the front door + took us for a ride up the elevator to the third floor (whaaaat? an elevator? in Europe??). Then she gave us the grand tour. And I do mean GRAND!

The first thing I noticed about the apartment which appears to be normally used as a training/conference center (this is a first for me!) a conference-type living room with a full-sized conference room. The bedroom is located behind pocket doors + there are two full bathrooms. 

But the most amazing feature of this Airbnb is the huge windows to let in TONS of light + the most MAGNIFICENT view! 

Yes! This is what you see when you look out our windows! This definitely was one of the most magnificent views outside my window that I’ve ever seen + it was the first thing that surprised me about Vienna :: WOW!

When you enter you find a good-sized open kitchen area, with all the sparkling water + local Ottakringer Lager you can drink – nice perk!

This place is new. It is clean. But the best feature for sure was its location, Location, LOCATION!

#1 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: our Airbnb

AirBnB Vienna: https://bit.ly/2QKHVcu
Otxakringer Lager: http://www.thebeerstore.ca/beers/ottakringer-wienerorigin

Surprise #2 About Vienna :: Stephansplatz, such a lively square!

Located smack in the center of Vienna, Stephansplatz is a lively square that actually incorporates residences + businesses outside the main square area. You can imagine my surprise when I realized that one of the most exuberant things about Vienna was right there outside my door!

Food stalls + shops galore line the square where you can wander for hours. And actually this is another thing that surprised me about Vienna :: the food wasn’t as boring as I’d remembered from my visits [to Austria] as a child. As a matter of fact it was rather tasty + special!

“We ate standing at a bar-height table…”

We stopped at what seemed like a very popular stand + ordered a sausage dish that was delicious.  We ate standing at a bar-height table as everyone else did. It was quite crowded so I was pleased when a table opened up just in time.

So yea, the #2 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: Stephansplatz. And the fact that it was right outside my door was more than I had ever imagined.

Surprise #3 About Vienna :: St. Stephan’s Cathedral, a sight to behold!

The main highlight of Stephansplatz is St. Stephan’s Cathedral.

Stephansdom, as it is known in Vienna, is a Romanesque and Gothic medieval cathedral which stands on the ruins of two earlier churches dating back to the 1100’s. One of the tallest churches in the world, I heard its bells ring proudly throughout the day as wells as in the evening. A truly breathtaking sight to see. A beautiful sound to hear especially since it is located directly in front of our Airbnb apartment! Seriously? No better view to be had, for sure! Unbelievable…

Parts of the cathedral require an entrance fee but the main sanctuary is free to the public + definitely worth a look (and listen).

It was so relaxing to wander the square and take in all the sounds and smells of my surroundings. The thought “I’m in Vienna!” kept creeping into my mind. This is a place I’ve always dreamed of visiting and I am actually here.

#3 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: St. Stephan’s Cathedral. I just opened my window + there it stood, in its grandeur + splendor! Magnificent doesn’t even begin to describe it.

But there is so much more to this area that is worth mentioning!

The Streets of Vienna

Not too far from my apartment in the oldest square of Vienna “Hoher Markt” I found a wonderful cafe called Joma Cafe Brasserie Bar which came with outstanding reviews + where Roydio + I had breakfast of a soft-boiled egg, toast + egg-filled avocado as well as a latte + hot chocolate. It was all yummy + worth the price we paid.

On the next block over is the famous Anchor Clock representing  a typical art nouveau design. Everyday at 12 noon it does a “dance.” I wasn’t there at the right time so I’m including a video I found online so you can see what it does…

I don’t know but I think I may have developed an affinity for clocks over the years, but this was definitely one of the things that surprised me about Vienna. It was absolutely beautiful!

Rathaus :: Vienna City Hall

The Rathaus is the Vienna City Hall + on the list of the most beautiful buildings in Vienna. Apparently there is always a lot of construction going on inside the Rathaus + sure enough when I was there so I didn’t get to go inside. If you’re there at Christmastime, I hear their decorations compare to none. But I was there in May, so…

I did, however, stop to take some pictures of the outside + the beautiful archways that frame it. 

Surprise #4 About Vienna :: Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride

They call them “fiakers” taken from the Parisian Rue de Saint Fiacre. Roydio + I took Fiaker Paul for a ride through Vienna’s historic City Center + were blessed with the perfect weather for it. We shared our two-horse carriage with an older couple from a different country. We didn’t recognize their language so we just smiled at each other. HA! 

You can easily find the fiaker stands in Stephansplatz, Michaelerplatz, Albertinaplatz, Petersplatz + Burgtheater/Volksgarten

“finding out where to get a Sachertorte was a close second!”

The driver spoke English + showed the four of us where Mozart + Sigmund Freud lived. He explained how old some of the buildings were + what their uses are. The highlight of the ride for me was seeing the Spanish Riding School. But finding out where to get a Sachertorte was a close second! The ride was a little bumpy so I wasn’t able to take good photos on our tour. Bummer. And the tour itself is rather pricey so I recommend doing the shorter. You can certainly see a lot of Vienna in 30 minutes!

The driver was kind enough to take our picture before we continued on our journey through Vienna on foot.

After our fiaker ride we spent some time going back + visiting some of the sites we passed that looked interesting. Although I’m glad we sprung for the carriage ride for the sheer sake of experiencing Vienna in this traditional way, I found that walking is still the best way to see everything in this beautiful city.

#4 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: the spectacular way to see it :: in a fiaker!

A little tidbit about Vienna

Vienna is known as Wien [pronounced VEEN] from whence you get the word WIENerschnitzel one of the city’s popular dishes. And for those who live in the US, no, they don’t serve hot dogs…. HA! Wienerschnitzel is actually fried breaded veal. 

Surprise #5 About Vienna :: Roman ruins at Michaelerplatz

I was pleasantly surprised to come across an archaeological excavation where remains of the Roman residential settlement for soldiers’ wives + children from back around 168AD were uncovered. And it apparently was also reputed to have been used as a brothel for those soldiers.

At the junction of two road routes which led across the Kohlmarkt + Michaelerplatz, four different buildings were discovered, inhabited until into the fifth century. A foundation stone was found west of the road junction indicating the existence here of a pillar-type commemorative tomb or monument.

“it’s a must-see for sure, especially if you’re a history buff”

What a find, this portion of the Wien Museum right in the middle of Michaelerplatz. Located directly in front of the palace complex of the Hofburg which is also one of the pick up locations for the “fiakers.” It’s a must-see for sure, especially if you’re a history buff.

#5 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: I definitely wasn’t expecting to find these amazing Roman ruins in the middle of town! And it was awesome to see some of these other places on our ride through town ::

Hofburg, Vienna seat of government

As of the 13th century Hofburg has been the documented seat of government for Vienna and was the former imperial palace. Today this is the residence + workplace of the President of Austria. It’s a beautiful grand building located across from Heroes Square, the Kaiser Apartments (renting for $87 and up), the Sisi Museum and Maria-Theresian Platz.

At the dome below the Kaiser Apartments, it appeared to be tradition for people to stand in the center + sing out loud because apparently the acoustics in the dome are magnificent. And it certainly was!

There were several men who took their place in the center of the dome + began singing their hearts out while I was there. It would probably have been considered rude of me to video tape their performances so I decided against it. But it sure was fun to see and hear! And it seriously ranks as one of the things that surprised me about Vienna. I know, I’m quirky like that. But these types of little unexpected experiences is what make traveling so special to me.

Heroes Square also known as Heidenplatz is most notably the place where Adolf Hitler announced the annexation of Austria to Nazi Germany in 1938. So many historical places in such close proximity to each other. It made me just stop and think about how grateful I am for the freedoms we enjoy. 

Viennese cafes and coffeehouses

Famous for their cafes + coffee houses I made it a point to keep an eye out for all the cute little Viennese places on my way to here or there. It was fun just strolling down the streets of Vienna + happening upon opportunities to enjoy a cup of coffee, some sparking water + perhaps a light lunch or snack.

“the famous Cafe Mozart, one of the oldest traditional Viennese coffee houses in Vienna”

As I trekked across town I found the main Tourist office + with info and maps in hand decided to go across the street to the famous Cafe Mozart, one of the oldest traditional Viennese coffee houses in Vienna, to strategize plans for the next couple of days. Located in the heart of the city this 200 year old coffee house was highly recommended in all the reviews we read. Roydio + I chose seating outside on the patio + ordered an espresso + lemonade to discuss our plans. Seriously, our drinks were wonderful but not worth the 11.50 Eu we paid (hence no pastry). I guess sometimes you just have to pay the standard fare for touristy places. Buy hey, I can now say “I’ve been to Cafe Mozart.”

Hop On Hop Off Bus Vienna

“I highly recommend it!”

Throughout my travels I usually try to find a HOHO bus which is a great mode of transportation. Buy a one-day pass for a great way to see everything the city has to offer + then go back to the places that interest you. I highly recommend it. You can hop on + hop off wherever you think you’d like to spend more time. But this time I took it from beginning to end just to see an overview of the city because I planned to do a lot of walking here.

If the day is beautiful + warm you’ll have an unobstructed view sitting outside on top. If it’s too chilly or if it rains, inside provides shelter from the elements. Either way, it’s a great way to see the entire city because there is a lot to see!

I saw so many special places on this HOHO bus ride including the Danube River, St Francis of Assisi Church, the Millennium Tower and the Donauturm. Happy to have had such a nice day in which to enjoy the ride. Such a great way to see so much.

Surprise #6 About Vienna :: Schoenbrunn Palace, one of the best

The idea to see the Schoenbrunn Palace actually came from my granddaughter Samy who recently visited there. Upon arrival I found out that the busiest months to visit Schoenbrunn are April to September + the busiest times are 10am-12pm on the weekend. And wouldn’t you know it :: I found myself there in May on a Saturday at 10am… HA!

“…research ahead for this one”

The line for tickets kept me waiting the better part of 2 hours. The time slot I was given was 3:30pm so yea my timing was the worst possible. Too bad this is one place I did not research ahead before visiting. But now I’ve experienced it for you so you don’t have to! I’ve placed some “tips” at the bottom of this post regarding what you can expect when you come to Schoenbrunn.

Schoenbrunn Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is my goal in life to visit as many of the UNESCO sites as possible; so far I’ve seen maybe 20+.  Having known better but much to my chagrin I was not allowed to take photographs inside the palace. As a matter of fact they took my purse + emptied my pockets prior to gaining entrance. But let me just say I’ve been to a lot of palaces around the world including what many people consider to be the most beautiful, the Forbidden City in China, but Schoenbrunn must be in the top ten. Go see it!

The grounds of the Schoenbrunn are unbelievably grand much like that of the Palace of Versailles but smaller in scale in which you can spend the better part of the day wandering the grounds. In fact that is exactly what you will do if you don’t book your tickets + a time slot ahead of time (again, check my “tips” at the bottom of this post).
https://www.schoenbrunn.at/en/

#6 thing that surprised me about Vienna :: Schoenbrunn Palace was magnificent!

Surprise #7 About Vienna :: Glorietta, the best view in Vienna

“On this beautifully tree-lined path you will run across gardens and waterfalls and statues and fountains…”

I did exactly that: wandered the grounds while waiting for my time slot. I must say it wasn’t the worst way to kill time. The gardens were magnificent! Although there is a tram (for a fee) that takes you to the panoramic terrace called the Glorietta, knowing I had a lot of time I opted to just take the leisurely stroll up the hill. On this beautifully tree-lined path you will run across gardens and waterfalls and statues and fountains… I would highly recommend you not miss the opportunity to experience this peaceful journey on your way to the highest point of this expansive property.

Once I arrived at the Glorietta, I was awestruck at the gorgeous view! From this vantage point you can see the palace in all its glory. The massive surroundings as well as the city of Vienna behind it make a memory in your mind that will last a lifetime.

#7 thing that surprised me in Vienna :: the amazing view of the entire town from the Glorietta! I wished we could have stayed up there + enjoyed the view for a lot longer than we did.

It would have been nice to have brought a picnic lunch + sat on the grass to enjoy it at my leisure as others were doing. They obviously did their research!

There is a restaurant + swimming pool (for a fee) around the back side of the Glorietta which gives the perfect location for respite before heading back down to the Palace. On Sundays there is a brunch with live music.

“watching the Royal Wedding was so surreal”

It just so happens that I was at Schoenbrunn on the day the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry + Meghan Markle was taking place so during our lunch there I watched a portion of the ceremony on my phone. I have to say it was kind of surreal being at a palace in Vienna while watching the Royals in Windsor. It made me feel as though we were sort of connected…

Back at the apartment

We spent our last evening in Vienna enjoying the nighttime activities in Stephansplatz + ended up at one of the food stands to order dinner. We found what looked like a delicious local dish made with pork + crushed potatoes with onions called “Greste Krumpian.” We then walked over to our favorite bakery Aida Cafe/Konditorei for dessert. We brought our dinner back to our apartment + enjoyed the magnificent view from our amazing Airbnb one last night. 

Of all the things that surprised me about Vienna, the ambiance was evident everywhere we went. From the history to the architecture to the food + the coffee shops :: Vienna was a spectacular find.

Is it time to leave already?

Vienna exceeded all of my expectations… holding all of the old-world charm I had hoped for. Yet this is a city of contradictions with it’s unique blend of imperial traditions + stunning modern architecture. And although we crammed a lot into this three-day booking, the time passed much too quickly + I found myself wishing we could stay longer! Vienna, you are beautiful and I’ll definitely make it a point to return…

TIPS for Schoenbrunn:

1. Plan to visit during the off-season prior to April or after September
2. Plan to arrive on a weekday either early in the morning or later in the afternoon
3. Buy your tickets online; book your time slot before you arrive
4. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the beautiful grassy field
5. Bring bottled water. You will need it walking around the vast grounds
6. Know that they will take your bag/purse before entering the palace so be sure not to bring valuables
7. Arrive on Sunday to enjoy brunch in the Glorietta as well as live music ranging from the classics to jazz

TIPS for Vienna:

1. Don’t expect everyone to speak English
2. You’ll have to ask for the bill
3. Stores usually close early
4. There are no non-smoking areas
5. Be sure to carry change (public restrooms charge)
6. Subway: don’t sit where it says “blind,” “pregnant,” “elderly”
7. Tipping: 10% is suitable
8. Let little old ladies cut the line in front of you; it’s expected
9. Don’t forget to partake in a Sachertorte

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