Visiting Bangkok and beating the heat.

Welcome to Bangkok, the city where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with modern marvels, creating a tapestry of sights, sounds, and flavors along the Chao Phraya River. It’s vibrant, bustling and sometimes chaotic, but that’s what we love.

There are so many things to do and see in Bangkok, but how does one do it all with a toddler? We had to consider jet lag, temperatures ranging from 45°C to 52°C, and Mini’s interests not always aligning with ours. But she was a champ!

To beat the heat and the crowds, we started our days early. On our first day, we hopped on a boat along the Chao Phraya River. We got to see the famous riverbanks, and also got closer to the Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Everywhere you look, there's intricate artwork and tiny details that leave you in awe. I am always so impressed with these grandiose pieces of art, built centuries ago. I always wonder how did they do it?

This was also Mini’s first introduction to Buddha. How do you explain to an almost 4-year-old who Buddha is and what it represents?

As we entered the temple where the massive 46m reclining Buddha is, Mini says: “Mommy, do you think that if I tickle his feet, he will wake up?” My heart melted. 🥹

The heat hit hard so we headed back to the pool for a dip. We had at Pad Thai Khun Chu, a famous Pad Thai restaurant. With our bellies full, we headed back to the hotel to take a nap, the jetlag was catching up. A quick nap turned into a full night's sleep, leaving us refreshed for the next day.

The following morning, we headed to the Grand Palace and the Wat Phra Kaew. This time, we used Grab, a taxi app, commonly used in South East Asia. This became our main means of transport in Bangkok. Normally, we would use public transport in big cities, but with the heat, walking the extra 500m to the station was not going to happen. And also, Garb is cheap.

I have no words to describe the beauty and the grandiosity of the site. One must see for himself. I guess Mini shared my view because as soon as we arrived, she said: “I need to find the prince in the castle, I want to dance with him”. So, we explored the grounds looking for her prince.

Tip: Gents, make sure you have your long pants. If not, you cannot enter the Palace.

I really wanted to show the Taling Chang floating market to Mini. What a disappointment, there's only one boat left. Not my ideal idea of a floating market. So, don't waste your time there.

We hopped in a Grab and headed to Iconsiam one of Bangkok’s biggest shopping malls to cool off and have lunch. The Sooksiam is an indoor market spreading over 15,000sq.m. divided in 4 zones. Each zone showcases the distinctive cultural legacy of each of Thailand’s four major geographic regions. It is street-food heaven.

With such a busy morning, we headed back to the hotel for some downtime and a nap.

One thing on my bucket list was watching the sunset at Wat Arun, I didn’t get to see it last time I was in Bangkok.  Despite not getting the perfect sunset, the view of the temple was magical. This is the best spot. Bucket list, check!

Our dining experience at A Fox Princess Kitchen, was delightful, followed by a TukTuk ride back to the hotel.

On our last full day, we ventured to the ruins in Ayutthaya, hiring a Grab for the journey. The driver's offer to wait for us while we explored the ruins was a game-changer.

Returning to Bangkok, we treated Mini to Mega Harbor Land, a paradise for kids.

She spent three hours hopping around the various zones before finally settling on the role-playing floor. The place has something for every child, from kitchen setups to ice-cream stands and fire stations. Plus, kids can dress up and imagine themselves as cops or superheroes—a playground straight out of a kid's dream. After the busy day, we ordered room service and called it a night.

Leaving Bangkok filled with unforgettable memories, from exploring ancient temples to cooling off at indoor markets. Despite the heat and jet lag, Mini's energy kept us going. Watching the sunset at Wat Arun and Mini's delight at Mega Harbor Land were highlights. Until next time, Bangkok, kop khun ka!

Fun Fact: Did you know that Bangkok is also known as the “City of Angels”?

The name “City of Angels” is a direct translation of the Thai name for Bangkok, which is “Krung Thep” or “Krung Thep Maha Nakhon”. The name is thought to have originated from the fact that Bangkok has many temples and shrines, which are believed to be the abodes of angels or deities in Thai culture. Additionally, the city is known for its hospitality and friendly people, which may have contributed to the nickname.