My few days in Bangkok - The City of Life.

This past November I went on a big trip to southeast Asia-- Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The first city I discovered was the city of temples and tuk tuk’s – Bangkok.

One of the streets in Bangkok.

It took 25 long hours of air travel to get there from Entebbe. I was eager to get off the plane, relax, walk about, and try the food everyone praises. The humidity was certainly the first thing I noticed. It was like I didn’t have enough air. The temperature was sticky sweaty and hot.

Bangkok is the biggest modern city I have ever visited, and I felt like an ant amongst the giants in a land of intense street sights of serenity and seduction.

On my first evening I attended a couch surfing meet-up group where I met other travelers and was introduced to Thai culture. It was nice to try local cuisine and learn some Thai phrases. If there is one phrase that definitely sums up Thai life, it’s “same same” -- a simple life-is-life philosophy that you’ll see on more than one t-shirt or handbag. Here’s an explanation:

Tourist: Are those expensive sunglasses, or cheap sunglasses?

Thai: Same-same.

Tourist: Is that a lady, or a lady boy?

Thai: Same-same.

Thais use simple English when communicating with foreigners which is really unique, cute and endearing.

Art Museum.

That evening I toured around Siam (an area in the Pathum Wan District of Bangkok) with the highlight being a museum dedicated to the memory of the late King Bhumibol Adulydej. The art was gorgeous! There were a million street cart vendors who can set your mouth aflame!

Fancy tuk tuks in bangkik. These are expensive.

First time sightseeing in Bangkok.

Fellow African in the city of Life.

Later in the day with a Tunisian friend I had met we decided to go to the Chatuchak weekend market, the biggest in Asia. I had never seen a market this big. They do sell all kinds of clothing and trinkets at very reasonable prices. It was my second day of the trip and I was fighting so much temptation not to buy anything. I did my best but still got some small gifts. After wandering around, we sat to have some lunch and then window shopped.

Chatuchak weekend market.

Some of the door signs.

Having a coconut ice cram at Chatuchak

I did not find the transport system in the city that cheap but I used the metro frequently (it’s called the BTS Sky Train) and it’s simple. They have a transport app called “GRAB” which you can use to move around by either taxi or bike, the meter taxis are reasonable but you can still negotiate a price by asking the driver not to use the meter. I did that a lot. You are supposed to haggle on everything if you want to save and travelling on a long term basis.

GRAB is green and yellow while pink is Meter Taxi.

The next day I visited some amazing sacred sights! Upon crossing the Chao Phraya River I noticed the striking Wat Arun temple (translated as The Temple of the Dawn). It looked spectacular even before we got in! We walked around though could not enter because it is still under renovation. I just could not get over its beauty! It was one of my most amazing views on this whole trip. There is nothing like it and be sure to seek it out when in town.

The next sight on my list was the Grand Palace. It was so big and beautiful but with many tourists! It is hard to take a decent photo. There were many beautiful buildings within, each looking different. The palace was the official residence of King Siam since 1782. Do not leave Bangkok without visiting this palace. Dress code is long clothes and shoulders covered. Don't be caught off guard and start buying new pants and shirt on the street.

My last activity of the day was visiting the Royal crematorium. This is the most amazing crematorium I have ever seen, it is where the late King Bhumibol was serviced. Inside there are buildings that present the culture regarding the ancient ceremony and an exhibition about the life of his Majesty. The kind King died on October 13, 2016 followed by one year of national morning. Cremation occurred on October 26,  2017. The crematorium was all golden and the architecture is brilliant. I am glad I got chance to see it as of now it is permanently closed.

The gorgeous Wat Arun temple.

Wat ARUN

Outside the Grand Palace.

Inside the Grand Palace

The crematorium.

Later I went to meet a friend at the BMK Shopping Center which is one of the world’s largest malls with 600 shops, restaurants, cinemas and games. We had delicious sushi and then participated in a physical adventure game that involved solving a riddle. It was so good! It’s called “The Escape Room,” and each room had a different theme with varying levels of difficulty to solve.

This was one mean sushi

Right after the game.

Bangkok never sleeps. It’s always awake, at all hours.  From sun up to sun down the sights never cease. I visited the famous Khao San road and it was really crazy and memorable. There are many bars, street food, shops, massage parlours and big crowds of tourists. If you like to party, the night life here won’t disappoint.

I went to Soy cowboy, a notorious red light district. All these months later I’m still not sure how to process it! Make sure you check out a sky bar in Bangkok, it’s so worth it!

If you need some quiet time to decompress and meditate, visit Lumphini park. A small lake’s there and you can rent a paddle boat while feeding the fish.

Excitement at Khao San

A certain sign at Soy Cowboy.

Bangkok skyline

Bangkok might be busy but spending a few days to explore it will be unforgettable. The ornate shrines and vibrant street life contribute to making it a world renowned city every traveler should check off their list!
Will be back with Krabi!

Out of Africa - Discovering India

Last fall I took my first steps outside Mama Africa. I was looking for magic and mysticism, so I decided to explore South Asia and the wonder of India and Nepal.

As my plane touched October 15, I was so nervous. The city was big and unfamiliar yet intriguing. I hailed down a taxi just before dawn and came in contact with a driver who was overly friendly—read: harassing. Not the type of welcome I was expecting to say the least. Soon after he dropped me off at my hotel, I learned that my reservation did not exist. So, I reluctantly got back into the taxi with the “friendly” driver who took me to another spot. As I exited, he asked for a hug. I brushed off his unwelcome advances and soon came to learn the first rule of travelling in India if you’re female—sexual harassment is sadly not uncommon. From the metro, to the streets, to inside taxi cabs and from people you’ve trusted, it happens. Travel with a friend and keep a discerning eye. 

India Gate

With the boys having our own street food tour.

Busy Bazaar in New Delhi.

New Delhi was an assault on my senses. People scattering everywhere at different speeds, with cattle and bikes and cars competing for the road. My ears buzzed from the bustle and I experienced culture shock. For two days I did a lot of sightseeing since traffic jams are a way of life. Commuting anywhere is at a snail’s pace. I used the metro quite a lot.

India’s temples are breathtaking. I visited some of the famous worship houses like the Juma Masjid, The Lotus, and The Arkshardam Temple and so on. The architecture is so wonderful and anciently mysterious. The Taj Mahal was quite a place. I recall a kind guide who gave me a free tour because my budget was running low after the entrance fee.

Juma Masjid

Juma Masjid, one of the seven wonders of the world.

I have great news—It’s possible to explore India on a budget! The food was delicious and reasonable priced, but watch out where you eat to avoid stomach problems. And of course Indian food is notoriously fiery, so if you don’t like chili mention it.

Exploring India’s mountains were so refreshing. I took an evening bus to Rishikesh, the famous town known for spirituality and yoga. It felt so organic. The mountains were glorious. The Ganges River looked so beautiful and the people were very friendly. It’s also a good spot to buy souvenirs as it’s cheaper than other towns. The atmosphere was humbling because there’s an air of spirituality. I was able to partake yoga for the first time and since I got back home, I haven’t stopped. I joined a yoga class and love it! If you ride motorbikes, it’s possible to rent a bike and ride up the mountains and around the temples.

Ganges river straight from the Himalayas

Scooter adventure in the mountains.

I didn’t want to leave but the road beckoned. I had options to go further in the mountains to Old Manali or Dharamsala but the distances were too long for me and it was getting colder in high altitudes and I did not dress warmly. I decided to head to the state of Rajasthan (“Land of Kingdoms”) and the cities of Jaipur and Pushkar.

Jaipur turned out to be busier than I expected but I was glad to be there because the architecture was amazing.  Every museum, temple and palace was beautifully constructed simply because the Kings were very rich and their palaces reflected that. There was a water palace in Jaipur which had 5 floors underground. So impressive. The Wind Palace (Hawa Mahal) was built for women royalty who could watch street festivities without being seen, complete with 953 small windows. The Amber Fort and Palace is absolutely a must see! Very incredible views and architecture. It took us about 2 hours or so to finish the tour inside. The city Palace is also not to be missed because there is a fascinating history museum inside.

The Hawa Mahal

The water palace

Amber Fort and Palace

Beautiful doors at the City Palace

Pushkar  is a chill town if you’re looking to avoid the hustle and bustle. There are many temples there and Pushkar Lake is too beautiful for words. Shopping here is way cheap as well. I went here with a friend on his Tuk tuk which was quite adventurous though a bit tiring. 

Tuk tuk ride from Jaipur to Pushkar

One of the beautiful temples in Pushkar

Pushkar lake

I also had a chance to celebrate Diwali (“Festival of Lights”) while in Punjab. Punjab is home of the Sikh religion. The people are very warm with strong faith. While there I visited the Wagarh boarder ceremony, an event which recognizes the closing and opening of the Indian/Pakistani boarder. Soldiers on each side display their strength and pride. The crowd was electric! Music blared and people danced to the rhythm. It was such an interesting ceremony to see, don't miss it!

My other highlight was witnessing the famous Golden Temple. While on tour they welcomed us with tea and treats. They serve food to thousands of people everyday and also offer free accommodation. We were able to witness the Diwali fireworks that night and the mood was great because everyone was in a joyous mood. My sari I had worn that day was hard to keep up with but I had a good time. My friend and I decided to go enter the golden temple where they keep the holy books and it took us about an hour to go in because of the crowd but we were happy we made it. It was spectacular. 

Wagar boarder ceremony

Diwali in Amritsar

The golden temple.

My last stop in India was Varanasi, the oldest inhabited city in the world. The buildings were weathered and the vibe was very busy. I had a boat ride with my friends at the Ganges River because we wanted to see the sunrise. There was a ceremony that day and this was an opportunity to see what goes around the river that millions of Indians depend on. I witness people dipping themselves in the river to get blessings, other were having a bath, washing their clothes, and I witnessed for the first a dead body being burned. I enjoyed having a stroll in the small streets of Varanassi near the river while witnessing life. It is from here that headed into Nepal. 

Festival at the Ganges River

Sunrise over the River Ganges.

India definitely had its challenges, but despite the congestion and overly friendly males, it’s a wonderful country. I met memorable people who were helpful and I’m blessed to have met them. Going to South Asia was a life changing trip! Book your ticket!