Joanna James
Bangkok is quirky, surprising and lots of fun, but, this article overlooks the shopping, outlandish performances and exotic food up for offer; instead, here are some rewarding experiences to savour.
One of the more unusual things to do in Bangkok is to observe the lifestyles of the many monks of Thailand. You can check with your Bangkok hotels tour desk for information on monk's lifestyle habits, and follow a route. In most instances the activity will require you to leave your Bangkok apartment hotel quite early; this is in order to visit the dawn markets which are frequented by monks seeking alms as their daily meals. Head over to the temples, observe the rituals, and devotions offered up by resident monks, and maybe even find a chance to have a friendly chat with one.
Definitely, an unusual activity to enjoy in Bangkok, a visit to a local salt farm will be quite the experience. The perfect day out adventure, by helping out at one of these farms you learn about the manufacturing process of salt, how it's extracted from seawater and how the salt farmers earn a living from the trade. As an added bonus, you get a peek into the lifestyles of these villagers, and a chance to have a conversation with some fascinating locals.
A day tour of the city's unusual architectural marvels is quite a treat. Book a local tour or ask your Bangkok city hotel, about organising sightseeing tours to some of your favourite buildings in the city. Close to the Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok, is the Robot Building, a treat for architecture buffs; as is the elephant building of Chatuchak and the Temple of Dawn. Culture buffs and architecture enthusiasts will find Bangkok a marvellous place for treasures, especially with the aid of a knowledgeable local guide.
Bangkok is not entirely given up to concrete; the place has hidden spaces which are nothing short of spectacular, and a visit to the mangrove swamps of Bangkok, will prove this theory to be correct. Exploring the swamps opens up whole new vistas, as you get to visit local villages, and see how they live, and keep a lookout for some of the nation's exotic wildlife, such as monitor lizards, snakes and monkeys. Make sure to stop at a local restaurant for a meal, the local cuisine is tipped to be some of the best, while a relaxing chat with the locals and plenty of beautiful environs to take pictures of will help rejuvenate mind body and soul.
Saving the best for last, end your adventure of all things unusual, by feasting on a range of insects; which are a popular culinary cuisine in Bangkok. There are special sections of street-food markets dedicated to various types of insects, fried, salted and boiled. If you do get up the nerve, to try a few, they just may surprise your taste-buds and turn out to be nothing short of delicious!
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