I'm a wanderer...part 2

"Well, I roam from town to town

I go through life without a care

And I'm as happy as a clown"~Dion

I do enjoy getting out and seeing new places and things to do, although some things aren't allowed~yet!

I made a trip to Asiatique. It was a suggestion as it was so cool and lots of people and so many things to see and do! I should have remembered~Some things arent allowed yet! I hopped on the BTS and made my way towards the river. Google suggested I take a motorcycle taxi from the station. That's a hard NO from me! I got a real taxi and off I went.

I should have known better, when the driver said, "Why come do you come here? There's nothing open!"

I think I counted a group of 6 tourists? family? and 2 cyclists wandering around the deserted place. As there are no throngs of tourists, yet, a concession stand was open...maybe if the worker hadn't been on an extended cellphone break. No matter. I was able to see the potential that the venue once had in attracting tourists to the riverside, especially the Ferris wheel and many eateries so that one could have the authentic Thai experience (in a contained, secure spot)

I've just nicknamed it "Bangkok"s Pandemic Ghost Town". I've since heard that it may close down permanently(probably to be replaced with a new shopping mall)

top left--Welcome

Top-carousel elephant

left -statue representing Bangkok"s forward-looking future with Asia, Thailand and Westerners represented. Ferris wheel in the background.

Below-having a spot of lunch with some new friends! (thank you to the sole person walking by and understanding my hand gestures to get my picture taken)

After Asiatique I made a return visit to iconSiam, the largest most opulent mall in Bangkok? Thailand? it was much busier than my previous visit.

Apparently, Bangkokians are tired of staying home and want to get out more. The mall on a Sunday is the perfect place to go for air-conditioned comfort and a visit to the food court!

I decided the rooftop restaurant is what I needed and a walk around the 8 floors of stores was an added bonus, especially since it started bucketing rain and the buildings you see in these pictures were obscured by fog and the torrential downpour.

I must say, architects have made the malls in Bangkok interesting to look at even while shopping. It certainly beats the Greenwood Shopping Mall~Shopping Oasis of the Valley~ near my hometown,

and dare I say...Toronto Eaton Centre.

~this is only a small portion of this metallic mobile that hung in one of the atriums of iconSiam.

Do you see a stylized elephant?

The skylight in another atrium.

A space-aged-looking centre court of the department store! Jetsons eat your heart out!

The shopping centres are interesting, but I must say if you've seen one store you've seen them all. Mall brands(Siam, Central) have a typical set of stores that are in each mall from Bangkok to Pattaya to Phuket.

I did an old town wander with Chef and his current student, Sebas. We wandered around looking for some hot spots mentioned on Instagram and Google. Unfortunately, one was closed. We are unsure if it actually opens at all as Chef has been several times and found locked doors. Another popular spot had takeaway only, so we will revisit another day when everything is open.

We did visit Jay Fai, for me a return trip. However, unlike the last time, the restaurant was full(capacity dining) and there were 4 groups waiting for tables (yes mostly farang)

I went to explore another neighbourhood made famous by Instagramers, Talat Noi.

"Talat Noi has a long history predating the founding of Bangkok...not only Chinese but also Vietnamese and Khmer. The area was Bangkok's first port and was where immigrants landed.

...Talat Noi is a cultural attraction. Locals retain their form of speech, food, and folk beliefs as in the past. Houses and lanes are lathered with graffiti that makes the place popular with teenagers, hipsters, and foreign tourists who want to experience a traditional Chinese quarter." ~Wikipedia

I heard, through a YouTuber (Global Travel Mate) about Hong Sieng Kong, a hipster cafe in the Talat Noi neighbourhood located on the riverfront. Hey with "Chip" being a fairly new hip, I figured I could pass as a hipster! I had to check it out!

The same YouTuber directed me to my next adventure.

Stay tuned!

Stay safe, take care.