Buddhas, Buckets and Battles in Bangkok
For Marko, Asia is where it all began. Since backpacking through Thailand three years ago, Marko realised his unwavering love for travel and all that goes with it, and a visit back to Bangkok was a trip full of nostalgia and fond memories.
For Alex, on the other hand, it was a place full of firsts.
Stepping into the chaos of Thailand’s capital, the brothers found themselves smack bang in the middle of Bangkok’s bustling hullabaloo. Starting as many visitors do, their first stop was to see the city’s sights with a trip to the Grand Palace, the home of Thailand’s well-loved King. Flocked to by tourists and locals alike, the palace was an ornate example of Thailand’s rich culture and history.
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Next door and the brothers met the country’s largest reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, and at 43 metres long and 15 meters high, the golden statue is an impressive example of the Thai people’s devotion to their religion.
Diving back into the city centre and modern day life, it was time to see Bangkok in all its trading glory with a visit to the Chatuchak Weekend Market. The streets were framed by vendors selling this and that, from knock off designer clothing to crates of fruits or tables overflowing with souvenirs. Exploring on foot, it wasn’t long before the duo found themselves a little lost in the mayhem of the market’s backstreets.
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Luckily for the disorientated pair, Bangkok offers a variety of transportation: there are tuk-tuks, bicycles, river boats, taxis, taxi motorbikes, ferry, long tail boats and more. And these reliable modes of transport were probably light relief before the Vagabrothers’ next task: the exhausting sport of Muay Thai!
Pummelling punch bags and high-kicking in earnest, Marko and Alex were treated to a taster at the Chacrit Muay Thai School. Surrounded by hard-hitting professionals, the brothers were taught the basics with in a gentler, kinder lesson specifically for rookies.
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Suitably stretched, a little sore and slightly sleepy, next up was the Cook ‘N Thai Cooking Academy where they planned to refuel and relax with a lesson in authentic Thai cuisine. Far from relaxing, however, the spicy session was driven by good old sibling rivalry. Two of the local My Destination reps, Andy and Op, took an impartial seat as blind judges, trying out the four dishes cooked by the battling brothers: Thai green curry, tom yum goon soup, pomelo salad and chicken satay. Immediately shooting into the lead with three votes to one, Marko’s first two dishes impressed the judges most, until Alex’s salad and satay scored him an additional four points, leaving him the happy winner with a total of five points to Marko’s three. Accepting his fate, Marko completed the loser’s forfeit of eating the hottest chilli in town – we commend you, brave sir. (Then again, we’re betting the chilli-up-the-nose incident earlier in the day had ‘warmed’ him up for it!)
A little gentler, perhaps, were the daily visits to Bangkok’s many massage parlours for some luxury R&R massages.
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Coupling up with fellow BBB finalists, Giselle and Cody, the foursome highlighted Bangkok’s status as a traveller’s meeting point. After swapping stories and reminiscing, Marko and Alex decided discover the social side of the city further with a trip to the backpacker’s mecca – Khao San Road. Taking a river taxi so as to avoid a political protest, the brothers were able to discover some of Bangkok’s back streets and lesser known areas.
Arriving in Khao San Road, things couldn’t be more different: the faces of Thai locals were replaced by backpackers and travellers, vendors called from their stalls to entice those walking by, trinkets and tat were sold in abundance while neon lights flashed overhead. It was a sensory overload, where scorpions are served on sticks, and whiskey was poured into buckets. Trying it all, Marko couldn’t help but be reminded of his journey from three years ago until now, and was left with one lasting thought – if you have the determination to do it, and are inspired enough to crave it, your travel dreams can come true too.
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