Five Days In Bangkok!!

As usual this year group of our friends circle planned to visit the new places.Last time ended up going to kumara parvath as a part of a trekking camp.This time we ended up embarking on a trip outside of India.So we have planned to move Bangkok this time.Actually its first trip to outside India to most of us and also the first trip on flight.Our one of group member who stays in Abroad booked ticket to all of us.As we planned the trip in a long span of time so we find a good offer on the flight tickets.Which mean that we had more money to spare for enjoying in Bangkok!!!:P 

As said this is our first international trip most of them not aware of  International flight formalities.So we have all gathered prior to the check in at Chennai International airport and entered inside the counter with our luggage.In entry security ask the printed ticket and Id proof.We have showed each one of IDs and been to counter of our airline Air Asia.We have showed the our IDs and printed ticket to the counter executive, she provided us the boarding pass.This boarding pass has seat number printed on it.Meanwhile we gave our luggage to them , they put sticker on it and it goes through trolley.As the weight of the  luggage exceed seven kg, we have paid extra amount for the same.The handy bag we kept with our-self .Then we have passed one more security check in which they checked our handy bag and scanned through the machine.Then after we have been to immigration counter filled up immigration forum, there our passport and visa checked and then we moved to boarding.There we have relaxed and waited for the announcement of our flight.Once the announcement done, airline staff assisted us and take inside the plane.We have seated in our respective seat and flight started flying through air from Chennai airport at around 10:45 pm local time.

DAY-1:

We have  reached Bangkok Don Muang airport around 3am.Actually two airports serve Bangkok ,The Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang. Most airlines use the Suvarnabhumi Airport except for Air asia in which we traveled. The flying time 4-5 hours and Thailand time is 1.5 hours ahead of Indian time.Once we reached, we process to visa counter to get the on arrival visa.We filled up visa on arrival application forum and  submitted along with 1000 baht to the counter.They have stamped visa on our passport and then we  proceed to the visa on arrival office to get passport stamped.The one who came along from Australia in our group had been reached already in Suvarnabhumi airport and waiting for us in same airport.Through Cab we traveled Don Muang airport to Suvarnabhumi airport to join him.  After that, we used the airport rail link to our hotel  where we have booked in prior.We checked in hotel Honey at Sukhumvit road around 8 am local time.In  hotel we refreshed and finished our breakfast and took rest for some time.Then we been outside the hotel to see the location.The location was excellent and we find lot of outlets like pizza hut,Mc Donald, Burger king and find many Thai massage parlors all over the place. Some of us went for normal massage and return back to hotel around 6pm.Night we been to watch some show nearby. We have enjoyed the show and by the time we retreated to rooms it was around 2am.We have so tired and felt slept within a moments of hitting the bed.

DAY-2:

Next day we got up around 9am and had a nice breakfast in the hotel and decided to visit  the spiritual heart of Thai people – the Grand Palace and must visit temples in Bangkok.There are more than 400 wats (or temples) disseminated all around Bangkok but everyone rushes to three most famous ones: Wat Pra Kaew, Wat Arun and Wat Pho fortunately all these  located near the Grand Palace.Due to its location we decided to proceed towards our first temple visit Wat Arun.The best and most common way to access the Wat Arun  via ferry across the Chao Phraya River.We decided to take a long boat from the central pier and travel down the canals to Wat Arun.

Wat Arun, the most iconic temple of Bangkok is located on Thonburi side of Bangkok, almost opposite to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Built during seventeenth century on the bank of the Chao Phraya river, its full name 'Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan' is rather hard to remember so it is often called 'Temple of Dawn. The distinctive shape of Wat Arun consists of a central 'Prang' (a khmer style tower) surrounded by four smaller towers all incrusted with faience from plates and potteries.Wat Arun is a must on a trip to Thailand. It provides great views of the city, it is scary to go up the VERY steep steps, but worth every minute up there.

After Wat Arun,  we crossed the river to visit the Reclining Buddha(Wat Pho), the Emerald Buddha(Wat Phra Kaew), the Grand Palace and the other sights within the Palace grounds.

Bangkok's most popular tourist attraction, the Grand Palace is the former residence of the King and is built adjacent to, and more or less integrated with Wat Phra Kaew. It covers a wide range of architectural styles, ranging from the pure Ayutthayan style of the temples to a blend of Thai and Western styles for later structures.

Wat is the Thai word for Temple and wat pho is One of the oldest and largest temples in Bangkok features the famous Reclining Buddha, which is the largest in Thailand measuring more than 150 feet in length.The huge reclining buddha statue here made up of gold.Not only the great reclining Buddha statue, there are numerous other statues in the temple.

Wat Phra Kaew or The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is the most important and most visited temple in Bangkok. One of the most significant features of Wat Phra Kaew is the Emerald Buddha, carved into a 66 cm tall block of Jade.Wat Phra Kaew is a superb temple to explore, especially the two km long gallery covered with incredibly detailed mural paintings depicting 178 scenes of the epic story of Ramayana. Around every corner you’ll find tall chedis covered with glazed tiles or gold leaves.

We came back to hotel around 7:00 PM after visiting Khao san road  for some shopping.We went to the massage shop just nearby the hotel and then went for the dinner at one Indian Hotel.After finishing dinner we came back to room and felt slept.

DAY-3:

Next day we took the breakfast in the hotel and move on to one more Thailand's  number one spot city pattaya. As pattaya city around four hours journey from our present location We have booked the cab.We have reached pattaya around 1pm and checked in at hotel tunes where we have booked in prior.The room had a huge bed in traditional Thai style. The bathroom was large and comfortable.There are Plenty of eateries and restaurants serving local and continental cuisine within our hotel vicinity, and its walkable distance to reach pattaya beach.We had nice lunch at nearby hotel and decided to experience our first soapy massage.We headed nearby soapy massage parlour ,there guided us to sits down in reception area with a drink and look at the ladies. The reception area generally range from the likes of a pick-up bar with ladies wandering around chatting up customers, to the 'fish bowl' variety where a large glass window separates customers from a selection of women tagged with numbers.Money is exchanged - usually about 1,500 to several thousands of baht and the treatment is under way. Then it is time to relax.As soapy massage usually finish with beyond the limits we dropped out plan of experiencing our first soapy massage instead we been to nearby normal massage parlour and then pattaya beach road. Pattaya's four- kilometer Beach Road is one long entertainment zone,especially the area called Walking Street. Fairy lights and neon- lit signs advertise go-go bars, beer bars and massage parlors, all of which provide party animals with a non-stop playground.Even its not just go-go bars and loud music, there are many other alternatives to keep all kinds of night owls happy. Trendy restaurants, cocktail bars, karaoke venues,Discotheques, nightclubs, coffee shops , open- air bars and restaurants with live music and entertainment also compete for attention in the night time.A walk down street gives a visitor an eye-opening experience of what Pattaya nightlife is all about!!!

DAY-4:

Next morning, we decided to go to the coral Island, is the best known out of a group of small islands 7km offshore from pattaya.We took a speed boat from pattaya beach which takes around 30 minutes.ON our way to coral Islands, we were dropped off at a mid-sea platform.Here you have the opportunity to try para sailing.Here we bought the ticket for para sailing and joined the queue.The wait time lasted and our turn came.The raid which lasts for just about 2-3 minutes, a quick round around the platform.In raid we will be asked wish to have a dip in the water.If want a dip, boat will slow down and go down to touch the sea water.Next in the same boat  we headed to one more platform for try under sea walk.Here you will be given a glove, helmet to wear and asked climb down from the back of the boat in to the water.They take us to the bottom of the sea with that oxygen mask and make us walk around.The under water sea walk was truly amazing and magnificent! It was thrilling experience to go 80 feet deep under water and be part of aquatic life.If you need a photo of your adventure,  have to pay extra but we didn't opt for it.Again after 5-10min, we reached actual Coral Island. Nice clean beach with white sand. You can swim and do some jet skiing here. We had an hour and a half to relax here and  get back on the boat and reached pattaya beach around afternoon.We had nice Indian meals at the nearby hotel and Proceed for Sri Racha Tiger Zoo - The world’s greatest tiger zoo in a natural atmosphere where you can hold, feed and take photos with baby tigers. Witness a crocodile wrestling show by lady performers.We came back from here around evening 6pm, refreshed at room and went for Thai massage at nearby, and at night we been to walking street and had lots of fun!!

DAY-5:

As we slept late previous night,we got up around 11am and we checked out from the hotel around 12 noon and proceed to the airport for the return journey with wonderful memories of Thailand .We picked cab from pattaya to Bangkok and reached  Don Muang airport around 6pm.We catched Air Asia flight at 8pm and reached Chennai around night 11pm.We booked a lodge near Chennai airport and next day morning we got refreshed and boarded back to Mangalore.

We had awesome five  days in Bangkok. Shopped and roamed around.Thailand was the most amazing place, and this trip, I  couldn’t imagine anything better. I  loved it so much. The people are warm and kind. It was great refreshing holiday after   a long time!!!!

A Trekking Experience!!

Finally my long time dream of trekking to one of the most beautiful, adventurous trekking spot in the western ghats KP( Kumara Parvata ) was fulfilled.

The trek Idea to Kumara Parvatha began when the group of our friends circle called Bachhali Groups met last time in one of our group members marriage party. Our team consisted of 10 enthusiastic members still as planned last moment most of them dropped out the plan of trekking due to personal work.Two new comers to our group, Facebook friends  joined us.So the group of   four were all set for KP.Normally trekkers  trek to KP summer season. We are the set of those crazy people who make ordinary things special by planning in rainy season.

Kumaraparvatha, also called as Pushpagiri is  belongs to the western Ghat mountains range and is very close to the famous pilgrimage center Shri Kukke Subrahmanya  Kshetra in South Canara District of Karnataka.Kumaraparvatha is at a height of 5624ft above sea level, one of the highest peaks in Karnataka. The river Kumaradhara originates in this hills and flow towards Kukke Subramanya.

According to Hindu Mythology Lord Kumaraswamy came to this place after killing the demon rulers Taraka,Shoorapadmasura and others in a war; and Lord washed his Shakily Ayudha in this river. From then the river is famous as Kumaradhara. After his battle with the demons Lord Kumaraswamy came to the top of Kumara Parvatha  along with  Lord Ganesha,Veerabahu and other aides. He was received by Lord Indra along with other Gods; pleased by the success of the war Indra prayed the Lord to be kind enough to marry his daughter Devasena. This was agreed upon courteously and the marriage took place on the banks of Kumaradhara.

Kumaraparvatha can be accessed  route being from Kukke Subramanya. We started trek  from kukke subramanya temple, morning 6:30 am after finish our breakfast in one of  temple nearby hotel .We walked the road in the temple street that leads to the base of the hill which is the starting point of the trek.

After a quick round of introduction, we started the journey to the top. since its rainy season there are lot of leeches , which bites so we covered up our legs with plastic covers.Four  of us started to trek with a good speed up the hill; but by the time we covered two kilometers of distance, one of our group member Harish got tired and thought of  return back.But we all boost him up and says lets take breaks in between and continue.Finally we all  move on and lead us to Bhattara Mane. We planned to stay here that night and continue the trek next day morning.

Bhattara mane  is a house you encounter after a around 10km climb. We have to order food here on the previous day of the trek and share our itinerary with him so that he can accordingly plan for the food. A package of lunch, dinner and breakfast costs per head. You will also have to inform him about the number of people visiting the house.We reached there around 2 pm.As we informed prior, Bhatru already prepared simple meal of sambhar and rice  lunch for us.After washing our legs we had finished lunch.Then resting for sometime we went around the house and started chit chat with Bhatru.

Bhatru is around 50-60 years of age got a fantastic sense of humour, firstly he asked which company we are working , when my friends told about their company Hp, he  replied  is that Hindustan petrolium.We all started laughing and explained him that its one multi national software company after listening he started thinking and said he never heard such software compnay he heard only o0rekallu and jenu gudu software company's name.Firstly we surprised  to hear that name, later we found that its oracle and Honeywell companies which  he pronounced in his regional language.Already we are so much Tired so planned to take some rest.Bhatru arranged mat for all of us and we lied down to sleep.Bhatru busy with attending calls of other trekkers who planned to visit next day.In conversation we realize that its their first plan of trekking KP, and funniest part is they asked the bhatru whether any chances of raining tomorrow and is they can climb the hills. He got angry on such querry and says he is not the person to decide when to rain ,and he is not the person decide whether they climb or not.After disconnecting the call he starred us and asked why city people act like this and he started saying what foolish questions most of them ask through phone.He says some group plan for trekking in rainy season and ask him at what time they can see the sun set and sunrise?

The night was really very cold and without the proper sleeping bag, jackets and Sleeping mats it would have been very tough.Next day We got up  at 6.00am  finished our breakfast and left for The second phase of the trek goes up the hill behind Bhattara Mane and down through the forest check post. Here we paid the fees for forest entry a and he gave a map of the KP and also told us be careful while climb.  From here we felt the toughness of the trek . I felt really exhausted in this trail. Every now and then we used to stop and gasp for a breath and then move ahead. Finally after about 2 hours  we reached a small place covered with shade. From here we could see the Mantap which is one of the landmarks on the way up the mountain.After having some rest here we started up the mountain.The trek here was really tough as the way till the top was continuously steep and there was no flat trail.

Finally we reached the top at 12PM, the second highest peak in Karnataka at the altitude of 1750mts(6000 feet). It was an amazing feeling of achievement!

After having some fun and photo session we started to come down back.It wasn’t an easy way down. The steepness took its toll now as we had to put extra pressure on our knees to make sure that our balance is in tact.Around 3 pm again we reached back Bhattara mane and finished our lunch.After few hours of rest we left from his place around 4pm.It takes another 4 hours to reach back kukke. By the time when we reached Kukke, it was around 8PM. Already we are so much Tired , so we booked a Lodge, near  kukke temple.Next day morning  We got refreshed,  and then  went to Temple had Darshan and boarded  back to our Mangalore.

An amazing trek in which we walked around 30 kilometers during the two days. One of my favorite treks!!!!!

Note!!

I Have Started a blog to Contribute information free of cost and to share my experience, instead not to show up my writing skills and NOT FOR OFFICIAL USE!
Most of The content may here being copied  from other blogs!!

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