BANGKOK, THAILAND: Buddhist Temples, the Flower Market and More, Guest Post by Cynthia Watters

Bangkok, Thailand.  Temple.

In April, my friend Cynthia Watters and her husband Chris took a trip to China and Thailand.  While their visit to Bangkok turned out not to be exactly what they planned, it ended up being a good end to a full and exciting trip.  Here is Cynthia's report:

Ariyasom Villa Hotel, Bangkok

Following a great 17-day Viking River Cruises trip to China, we were to spend a week in Thailand and Cambodia with a guide plus car and driver through Kensington Tours.  By the time we flew into Bangkok, I was feeling under the weather with cough and sniffles and regretting the decision to see more of Asia while we had the opportunity.  We were met by our lovely guide Pukki and driven to the Ariyasom Villa Hotel in Bangkok.  The hotel was delightful—24 rooms in villas situated in lush palm tree gardens with a lovely pool and an excellent indoor/outdoor restaurant with a charming, attentive staff. 

Bangkok.  Temple.

The next morning we embarked on a full-day tour of Bangkok with Pukki and the driver.  We saw Buddhist temples, the flower market, had lunch in a boat on the river followed by a river tour in a smaller boat, and ended with a massage.  In the evening we attended a dinner theater with traditional Thai dance.  All lovely, but I was tired. 

When Pukki arrived the following morning, she recommended a trip to the hospital rather than the day’s tour.  It seemed our hotel was one block from what she said was the best hospital in southeast Asia, the Bumrungrad International Hospital.  Add medical tourism to our itinerary.  The clinic at Bumrungrad was fantastic: excellent, courteous care and relatively inexpensive fees, all from very competent Thai staff: a little over $400 for two sets of visits, involving a generalist and a kidney specialist (I had low sodium), chest x-rays and two rounds of blood tests (I had bronchitis).  The waiting rooms were filled with international patients.

Our guide, Pukki.

To reach the hospital we walked the short distance along a narrow street with vendors or driveways along both sides, which reduced navigation to one lane, with autos and motor scooter or motorcycle taxis weaving in and out.  Along the way, our route took a shortcut through the parking area for an overhead hospital dormitory, in which an outdoor “restaurant” was preparing and serving noodle meals for staff for about $1. The aromas were wonderful!

Pool and outdoor restaurant, Arivasom Villa Hotel

Since the doctor wanted to see me back in two days, we cancelled our scheduled flight to Cambodia, where we had intended to spend two nights and visit Angkor Wat, the extensive temple complex.  Instead, we relaxed at our wonderful hotel, with staff asking solicitously how ‘Madam’ was feeling and the owner recommending what I might eat (a lovely vegetable soup—on the third night I actually had the version with prawns added!)

Dining room, Ariyasom Villa Hotel

It was a lovely time despite my illness.  Now we need to go back to see Angkor Wat and more of Thailand as well as to luxuriate again (in good health) at the Ariyasom Villa Hotel!