Ratanakosin-Tour 

As already several times at our Bangkok Stays we booked this time a slightly different sightseeing tour by "Green Mango", the half-day "Ratanakosin Tour". We were lucky because we were the only guests this afternoon. At the beginning we went first with the public-boat on the Chao Phraya River to the north, to the historic Bangkok, where the Talaat Phra Khreuang, the sacred amulet market is.
Here the spiritual heart of the Thai beats faster because you get everything what is needed to alleviate suffering of everyday life. For everything there is a lucky charm. But we were less fascinated by the amulets than the normal street live. For the first time here, we saw a tattoo artist at work and indeed unthinkable for us, just like that on the sidewalk.

By Tuk Tuk and by foot we come to the quarter of "Buddha-Factories". Here and in the many small side streets have been the factories which are specializing in devotional objects.

In probably visually appealing old quarter of Bangkok, Phraeng Phuton, there was a highlight for us, the coconut ice cream in a "hut" where no normal tourist ever come here even less to buy an ice cream. It was delicious and we also had no health problems afterwards.

In this area is also the oldest car repair shop in Bangkok with a collection of Austin Oldtimers.

Also located very close is the town hall of Bangkok, a rather unspectacular building. Probably the most distinctive landmark of Bangkok's old town is the Sao Ching Cha. The "big swing" built 1784 and crafted of teakwood was until the early 1930s the venue for the ritual ceremony Swing Lo Ching Cha.

A tour without visiting a temple is nearly impossible and so we visited, close by here, the Wat Suthat, which is famous for its mural paintings and it belongs to the most beautiful temples in Bangkok.

Another, much more famous temple complex is the Golden Mount. We climbed up the 318 steps and were rewarded for this “hard work” with a great view over Bangkok.

There was a culinary experience quite near the Golden Mount. We took a break in the most famous, oldest and most popular Pad Thai Restaurant of Bangkok. Pad Thai, fried noodles is well-liked almost by every visitor of Thailand. These ones were particularly good!

The boatride with a so-called "Klongbus" on the Saen Saeb Klong, at the end of our tour was definitely an experience for all senses. Fast, loud, cramped, hot and humid provides the boat tour for the eyes, ears, and not least the nose an intensive insight into a slightly different life in Bangkok, away from shopping temples and luxury Hotels.This boats bring the locals from Bangkok to the suburbs, almost to the airport and are not to be found as well by tourists.

For us was the boattrip just great, only getting in and out is a challenge.

The tour is highly recommended for Bangkok lovers who have already seen many corners of the city. But in Bangkok, there is always something new to discover!