TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Traveling

Bangkok with $19 Dec 8-11, 2018

Bangkok with $19

Coming From: DaNang, Vietnam
Airline: Bangkok Airways
Airport Departure: DaNang International Airport
Airport Arrival: Suvarnabhumi Airport
Flight: PG 948, depart DAD 1:35pm, arrive BKK 3:30pm, $158 including 20kgs (high season)
Visa on Arrival: Dec 8, 2018 - Jan 8, 2019
Hotel: Adventure Hostel Bangkok
Money on Arrival: $19

Bangkok AirwaysBangkok Airways
I spent $158 to get this flight - not cheap but not because they are expensive. It was high season and they were already the cheapest from Sky Scanner. It was a short budget flight (2 hours) and I expected budget treatment. I was in for a surprise. First, they served lunch. Whoa! Next, they asked me for what drink. I saw a bottle of white wine, so I said, "white wine, please!". They served me a glass of chilled crisp Chardonay. Is that cool or what? Next flight, everything being equal, I would choose Bangkok Airways hands-down!

Adventure HostelLodging and Money
Arriving Bangkok from DaNang with just $19 with no booking yet, first thing was to get free lodging and pawn my GPS. From my web development work with Adventure Hostel, I was able to arrange a 3-night accommodation. From a friend who initially would not take my GPS, I got $100 insisting that taking my GPS gives me face - so it's a pawn, not a loan. Not to judge anyone, but loaning money is a big No-No to me. Now with 3 days hostel stay and $119, I could prepare for my trip north to a forest monastery for a 10-day meditation retreat. I badly need the 10 days to calm my racing mind.

Bangkok with $19
feeling at home at Adventure Hostel Bangkok

ChaiChai
I didn't even have enough time to say Hi to friends but luckily, long-time friend from the Philippines, Chai was along the way from her Krabi trip. We had lunch and caught-up with the latest. She carries a brighter glow. I could see the blueprint on how her blossoming career continues to take shape and how the essential variables all come into place. All the best Chai!

Chai
catching-up with Chai

Tying Up Loose Ends
With 3 nights in Bangkok, I had to tie up all loose ends - DaNang blogs, deliverables, negotiations with FPT for a phone, bus tickets for Mae Hong Son, addition of Chinese and Thai languages on the hostel website, etc. It was busy and I was glued to my laptop.

Ending Thoughts
This is my 7th time in Bangkok. The city's energy remains kinetic, but at this point I would welcome the serenity of the mountains. I also miss doing a 10-day meditation retreat.

At first, I looked at Vipassana in the Goenka tradition but all the centers were full...some of them for the entire year! I am amazed at how fast the Goenka Vipassana has caught on. I remember the early days when I could book within a week at a center. Now, nearly every traveler I meet has done Vipassana. This can only be a good thing. Dhamma is spreading.

The Vipassana at Wat Pa Tham Wua is Buddhist in the Theravada tradition. I'm curious how this differs from the Goenka tradition. Either way, they are both in the pursuit of Dhamma.That is all that matters.

--- TheLoneRider
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Next stop:

10-Day Meditation at Wat Pa Tam Wua Forest Monastery meditation

10-Day Meditation at Wat Pa Tam Wua Forest Monastery

(Dec 12, 2018 - Jan 1, 2019) As a general rule, I do a Vipassana course once every 6 months. Meditating for 10 days brings me back on the rails, gives me a sense of bearing, calms my racing mind and reboots my entire system. This has been overdue. Meditation at Wat Pa Tam Wua is Vipassana in the Theravada tradition. This is different from the Goenka tradition. But Dhamma is dhamma - simply a different interpretation of Buddha's same words.....more »»


Bangkok Map
Google Map

Bangkok, Thailand

hotels in Bangkok HOTEL

Adventure Hostel Bangkok - N7 BTS train stop, dorm rooms, great for solo travelers, laundry, roof deck, entertainment center, kitchen, all-day tea-coffee, fridge, clean
1541 Phahonyothin Rd. Payathai

restaurant in Bangkok RESTAURANT

Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant - N7 BTS train stop, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, clean & hygienic, fresh green leafy vegetables
195 Soi Pradipat 19, Pradipat Road, Phayathai

spa and wellness in Bangkok SPA / WELLNESS

Bangkok Float Center Bangkok Float Center - experience a surreal sensory immersion as you effortlessly float on 10 inches of water, 5-stars from 524 Tripadvisor reviews
99/6-9 SHOW DC Retail and Entertainment Mega Complex (4th Floor)

gyms on On Nut, Bangkok GYM| gyms on On Nut, Bangkok YOGA

Now's Fitness Bangkok - gym equipment, yoga, Muay Thai, boxing, fitness trainer, cafe, healthy food
726 Soi On Nut 14 Rd, Khwaeng Suan Luang, Khet Suan Luang, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250


Useful Information

Bangkok Blogs by TheLoneRider
  1. Bangkok in Pictures Mar 17-21, 2021
  2. Bangkok for Passport Renewal Mar 17-21, 2021
  3. Bangkok with $19 Dec 8-11, 2018
  4. 30 Days - Goodbye Bangkok Nov 8, 2018
  5. Revolving Peoplescape of Bangkok Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
  6. Food and Friendship at Dalad Vietnamese Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
  7. Movie Review: First Reformed (2017) Nov 6, 2018
  8. Doing Online Work at The Work Loft Nov 5, 2018
  9. Window Seat [His Precious] Nov 1, 2018
  10. Surreal Odyssey at Bangkok Float Center Oct 29/31, 2018
  11. Bangkok Halloween with Rinna and Steve Oct 27, 2018
  12. Push-Ups Oct 22/24, 2018
  13. Pad Thai at Thip Samai, Bangkok Oct 16, 2018
  14. Birthday Walkabout Oct 16, 2018
  15. Coming to Terms with Donations Oct 14, 2018
  16. Feelin' Da Blues at Adhere the 13th Blues Bar Oct 12, 2018
  17. Visiting the Grand Palace of Thailand Oct 12, 2018
  18. A Web Mandate in Bangkok Oct 8, 2018
  19. 29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye Aug 27 - Sep 24, 2018
  20. Calling the Bangkok Police Sep 23, 2018
  21. Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011) Sep 22, 2018
  22. Yoga Inversions at Now's Fitness Gym Sep 19, 2018
  23. Flow Yoga with Teacher Kea at Now's Fitness Sep 18, 2018
  24. Movie Review: Under Construction (2015) Sep 15, 2018
  25. Walking Tour of Little India Sep 15, 2018
  26. Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
  27. Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
  28. Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
  29. Abs Workout with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 13, 2018
  30. Exercise Ball Workout with Teacher Bie at Now's Fitness Sep 11, 2018
  31. Exploring the Amphawa Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
  32. Exploring the Tree-Engulfed Wat Bang Kung Temple Sep 9, 2018
  33. Parting of the Maeklong Railway Market with a Passing Train Sep 9, 2018
  34. Exploring Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Sep 9, 2018
  35. Horse Racing at the The Royal Bangkok Sports Club Sep 8, 2018
  36. Fight Class with Teacher San at Now's Fitness Sep 7, 2018
  37. Exploring the Bangkok Art Book Fair 2018 Sep 6, 2018
  38. Circuit Training with Mild at Now's Fitness Sep 5, 2018
  39. Gentle Flow Yoga with Nuch at Now's Fitness, Bangkok Sep 4, 2018
  40. A Yogi Lost in a Modern Gym - Now's Fitness Sep 3, 2018
  41. Abundance at On Nut, Bangkok Aug 30-Sep 1, 2018
  42. Outside Looking In Aug 29, 2018
  43. Back in Bangkok After 5 Weeks Aug 27, 2018
  44. 15 Days in Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
  45. Peoplescape: Bangkok July 10-24, 2018
  46. Hatha and Yantra Yoga Fusion July 10-24, 2018
  47. Revisiting Terminal 21 Mall, Bangkok July 23, 2018
  48. Rope Skipping, 4mins Full-on July 22, 2018
  49. Sunday Visit to Chatuchak Weekend Market July 17, 2018
  50. Fork on the Road: Abundance or Poverty by Choice? July 16, 2018
  51. Loving Bangkok All Over Again Feb 22-26, 2016
  52. Hotel Review: Adventure Hostel Bangkok July 11, 2018
  53. Hotel Review: Riva Surya Bangkok Oct 20, 2014
  54. Exploring the Shopping Malls of Bangkok Oct 6-20, 2014
  55. Bangkok's Street Food Delight Oct 6-20, 2014
  56. Bangkok Revisited 3 Oct 6-20, 2014
  57. A First Timer in Bangkok December 31, 2005 - January 3, 2006
Bangkok Cost Index

as of Sep 4, 2018: US$1 = Baht 32 = Php 53

  • Bht 60 sm, 90 big one mug draft beer
  • Bht 13 1.5 liter drinking water
  • Bht 220 one hour massage
  • Bht 60-80 muesli breakfast
  • Bht 60-80 tom yum soup in modest eatery
  • Bht 25-30 coffee
  • Bht 30-50 pad thai
  • Bht 350 Adventure Hostel lodging
  • Bht 20-30/load laundry, coin operated machine
  • Bht 7 bus ride
Transport Maps of Bangkok
  1. Chao Phraya Express, MRT, BTS, Khlong boats, Airport Link
  2. Bus Routes: 1-14
  3. Bus Routes: 15-30
  4. Bus Routes: 32-49
  5. Bus Routes: 50-70
  6. Bus Routes: 71-88
  7. Bus Routes: 501-516
  8. individual bus routes
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station

For more train info: Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains - departing from Hua Lamphong - MRT (Bangkok)

(I'm using Bang Sue as a starting point because I was closer to it, but you may be closer to the Hua Lamphong station)

  1. take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #1 Exit to the north provincial trains
  2. Proceed to Counter 2. You will see an information booth, a train schedule chart and the ticket counter. Choose the train and pay at the ticket counter.
  3. daily train schedule:
    • 8:48am - #7 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:30pm, not sleeper, B638
    • 2:06pm - #109 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 4:05am, sleeper
    • 6:31pm - #9 Premium Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:15am, sleeper, B938 upper deck, B1038 lower deck
    • 7:56pm - #13 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 8:40am, sleeper, B768 upper deck, B838 lower deck
    • 10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck

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