Maria goes to (another part of) Asia

A new Canon EOS is for many things. And one of those things is for playing tourist. So we hopped on a plane for a three hour ride to Suvarnabhumi (pronounced su-wa-na-poom) Airport in Bangkok, the airport that was under siege just a couple of months ago.

Some of my friends have raved about Thailand and things Thai while others have ranted, “Walay angay ang Bangkok” so being a kinesthetic learner, I just had to experience it for myself.

The Airport

is huge. And there are lots of ATM machines and money changers there so you can easily get your bahts at the airport. There are all sorts of transportation means to the city. For 150 baht per person, we took the airport shuttle bus to the flashpackers’ ghetto,

Khao San Road,

the place for tourists on a budget. This road, as well as the other nearby roads in the Banglumpho area, are lined with bars, restaurants, sidewalk cafes, internet cafes, travel agencies, massage, tatoo and beauty parlors, street food vendors, souvenir shops, tailoring shops, ATM machines, several convenience stores and of course, hotels, hostels, inns and such. Thanks to Gaya, we were careful to avoid the Marco Polo Hostel and instead found this really nice and clean hotel called the

Sleep WithInn,

which just opened last January 5. It was so spanking brand new, our bathroom fixtures even had labels yet. I give it a 10/10 rating in terms of cleanliness, location, interior decoration, helpfulness of the English speaking staff, value for money, pleasantness of atmosphere, and amenities like hot water, cable tv (playing mostly Thai channels though), a safe in the room, modern locks and electrical controls and a very fast elevator.

The swimming pool at the rooftop was a big bonus! Khao San Road actually reminded me of Boracay, where there are many tourists and touristy areas crowded together near the beach, except that there is no beach on Khao San Road. A swim in the pool added to the “vacation sense” of the trip. The biggest plus, I think, would be the price, because the room rates were on sale (1,050 baht instead of 1,500 baht), as they had just opened and were still promoting the place.

So I’m vigorously endorsing that hotel, in case any of you plan to stay in the Banglumpho area in Bangkok, the Sleep WithInn is along Rambutrri Road, just parallel to Khao San Road, which is just a two-minute walk away.

Sleep WithInn pictures:

At the lobby, just before the reception desk

You might not have time to sit here while waiting for the elevator because their elevator is Fast!

Every room has a different wall decor design.