After touching down late on Friday night, we soon headed out to Sirocco rooftop bar to get a quick panoramic introduction to the city. Really stunning and peaceful views up there in contrast to the hustle and bustle down below. Followed that by heading to a tiny 2nd floor bar near Silom that had cool beats from the live drumming to accompany to the DJ. This was a place that hardly any airs about it but had a lot of character. Apparently it was a place that our host used to party at when she was in high school. No better way to end the evening than to go to bed in a 5-star hotel that was essentially free due to connections that I had from my previous job. Hotels like these truly exemplify Thai hospitality at its very best.
Next day we took a boat cruise along the Thailand's famous river to visit parts of the city that make you forget you are in one of South East Asia's largest metropolis. You also realise how important the river is for so many people living in the city. It was on this trip that I learnt that the full official name of Bangkok is actually the world's longest place name as recognised by the Guinness Book of Records. Now of course Bangkok doesn't seem like a mouth full but try this on for size:
"Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Yuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit"
Which translates to:
"The city of angels, the great city, the eternal jewel city, the impregnable city of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarma"
What an epic name!
We finished our long tail boat cruise just in time to get ready for dinner at Buri Tara. Our host had arranged for a dinner by the river because this past weekend was also the festival of Loy Krathong when people traditionally release floats along the river to give thanks and as a symbol of letting go of the past and starting anew. She arranged for us to have bread krathongs so that we could also take part in this festival but remain environmentally friendly since the fish can eat them! It was really fun to be part of this festival and to partake in the traditions.
Sunday saw us digging in to some amazing brunch at the original branch of a Bangkok institution (Kalaprapruek). The soft chocolate cake there really lives up to its famed billing. You must have a slice if you're in town. Needless to say, we were again absolutely stuffed by the time we rolled out of there and headed to Chatuchak Market to try and walk off our brunch. If you've never been to the market before, all I can say is that it is GINORMOUS and I challenge you to go there and not find something you like. There's something for everyone.
Thank you once again to our lovely host, S, for organising such an amazing weekend!
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| View from Sirocco |
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| A traditional Krathong made from the trunk of a banana tree and decorated |
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| Garlands to bless the boat |
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| When in Thailand, you just have to visit a temple ;) |
After thought: I really enjoyed spending this weekend away with my classmates because it gave me the chance to get to know them a bit better, especially those who are not in my section. Unfortunately, we have to balance these fun moments with the demands of school work. Makes you wonder if you could strip out the rigour of the MBA and just organise "networking holidays" for young professionals, whether that would be popular. Afterall, many people say that the true benefit of an MBA are the friends that you make
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