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17 November 2024 — We all gathered at 7/11 KRU, where our rented van was waiting for us. We had to leave Kanchanaburi at 3 a.m. on a Sunday morning so we could arrive in Bangkok early and make the most of our day. I was thrilled because visiting the famous Wat Arun had always been a dream of mine.
After a 3-hour ride, we finally arrived in Bangkok. Our first stop was to drop off Zyreen and Jayne at a nearby church for their religious activity. Meanwhile, the rest of us went to the Street Mall to kill off some time until they were finished, and then we all headed to ICONSIAM.
copy_006C7A7A-FB50-461A-A67F-92E6D3470013.movI had no idea how grand ICONSIAM was until I saw it in person. The mall is massive, with multiple levels to explore. We headed to the third floor to grab some lunch, and I was blown away by how amazing the food looked! Everything was mouth-watering… and also quite expensive. I tried an omelette dish that cost me 150 baht—almost 300 pesos. Was it worth it? Not really. Still, I enjoyed seeing how diverse and delicious Thai cuisine can be.
After lunch, we wandered around the mall to shop for souvenirs. I picked up some elephant pants for myself and my sibling, a few refrigerator magnets, and other small gifts for my friends back in the Philippines. I enjoyed roaming around and seeing people from all over the world. We even ran into a few fellow Filipinos—because, well, we really are everywhere! What’s funny is that when Filipinos meet abroad, it’s as if we’ve known each other for years, even though we’re complete strangers. There’s just an instant connection.
Once we were satisfied with the amount of money we spent in ICONSIAM, we finally decided to visit Wat Arun. It started raining on our way there, and we even considered going back to ICONSIAM to wait it out. But since it was already late in the afternoon, we decided to push through anyway.
Before entering Wat Arun, we stopped by a traditional Thai clothing rental shop just across from the temple. The staff were incredibly friendly and even helped style us. I chose a beautiful green ensemble that perfectly complemented my skin tone. Once we were all dressed, we made our way to the temple, where we paid 250 baht each for entry. The place was bustling with tourists, but fortunately, the rain had stopped and the gloomy sky gave way to a stunning sunset.
copy_6A0729B7-28CB-4805-BF6D-CEDCA205DB7A.movWat Arun is absolutely sublime—it carries a quiet grandeur that’s impossible to ignore. I couldn’t help but fall in love with it. We took countless photos, and as soon as I saw the first few shots, I instantly regretted choosing a green outfit as it blended a little too well with the temple’s beautiful tones. We spent the rest of our afternoon exploring the temple, taking pictures, sipping coffee at the Wat Arun Cafe, and buying a few more souvenirs (Wat Arun has the cheapest stuff). Before it became too late, we decided to return our clothes to the shop and head back to our dormitory in Kanchanaburi.
A day is not enough to explore Bangkok—there’s just so much to see and do. Even the streets are alive with vibrant scenes and fascinating people. The city is impressively clean, with a seamless mix of tradition and modernity at every corner. From towering temples to lively street markets, from luxurious malls to humble food stalls—Bangkok has a way of captivating you, no matter where you turn.
I left with a sense of wonder and a promise to myself: I’ll definitely be back. There’s still so much more to experience.
Bangkok, you truly are as Pretty as Lisa said in her song. Wait for my return.
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