One week in Bangkok - 23 Dec 2014

Bangkok has something for everyone. Whether it's exploring the city's shopping malls or the colourful traditional markets. Or you can go to palace or temples, cultural centres, animal parks, theme parks, or go for an eating spree. The list is really endless. We've enjoyed this trip very much though our favourite is the charming countryside. In Bangkok, we've taken a slower, more relaxed pace.

A gem in the city. There're 3 floors to this museum - a good place to spend 1 - 2 hours.

Plenty of shell exhibits and a good collection of snails too.

Boys took time to draw and share a few of their favourites. We've discovered cone shells to be poisonous, how the shells pry open clams and oysters for food, how conch shells are used as horns and the differences of shells and snails.

It's an interesting place, with very helpful staff, to spend time with kids.

Shopping in Bangkok felt like in Singapore or Hong Kong. The malls are very well-connected by overhead walkways. Most of the time we're in Siam Paragon. The food hall was unbelievable, really spoilt for choice. On weekend, we went to the huge Chatuchak open market. We didn't bring the boys! You must be prepared for the crowd, confusing maze of stalls/shops, heat and must have lotsa time to brave this place. 

"Hello Cruise, finally we met....."

We didn't go to Siam Ocean World in Siam Paragon cos it's so overpriced.

Boys spent the most time in Kinokuniya, Siam Paragon. 

TK Park - another cool library in Central World

A Bran-spectacled Snoopy?

All-time favourite - mango sticky rice

Traffic jam in Bangkok was an experience too.

A thrilling experience for 5 of us to squeeze into one tuk tuk while it swerved and maneuvered around traffic at lightning speed.

We went to Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, less than 2 hours by car. It's in between Bangkok and Pattaya. There's nothing much in this zoo, and it's soooooo far away in the countryside. There're also a zoo and a safari park in Bangkok, but even better, if you don't have time, to give it a miss.

 
I'm not sure we could call this a wildlife zoo, or a petting zoo. The concept in this zoo was that visitors are allowed to feed almost all wild animals. 

Good shot with the heavyweight-Binturong!

Deers, giraffe, gazelle, ostrich, goats, rabbits, lions, tigers, penguins, hippo, rhino, sheep, elephants, gibbons.....you can feed them at close range!!

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