a top trip in thailand: tuk tuk experience
There are approximately 10,000 tuk tuks constantly buzzing about Bangkok. Thanks to a government funded re-fit, these previously noisy and air-polluting machines are now more eco-friendly and are such a fun way to get around. In fact, Intrepid travellers like Carla Wilson love them so much that these iconic vehicles are the stars of one of our Bangkok Urban Adventures…
“I had a free day in Bangkok before my last Intrepid trip, so I decided to do Tuk Tuk Experience. The 5-hour tour was great way to explore the city’s backstreets and it gave us enough time to get to know some of the sites. Our colourful tuk tuks picked us up at the hotel and whisked us to an amulet market, which was really interesting. Our guide Jo was very enthusiastic about explaining the significance of the charms to ward off evil and what they mean to local people.
The time in the tuk tuks was short bursts, as we stopped from place to place to get out and have a look around. They are a convenient way to zoom through the city because they can zig-zag in and out of traffic. Hold on tight though!
We went to Wat Po, the oldest Temple in Bangkok, to see the giant gold reclining Buddha. Jo was a monk there for 5-years, so his insights and stories were fascinating. The glittery detail of the temple architecture was exquisite. Another stop was the Golden Mount, that rewarded us with great panoramic views of Bangkok after we climbed 318 steps. We also ventured into what is known as ‘Little India’. It is full of Indian stores and shops selling Indian food and I spotted a great place that I went back to that night for dinner.
It was such an enjoyable morning and we covered many significant sites. The best part was gaining a real insight into some other aspects of Bangkok from a local’s perspective, which normally I would have probably passed by without even noticing. It was a brilliant introduction to Bangkok and if you’ve got some time to kill before your Intrepid trip, or want to get to know the city when you’re travelling on your own, I definitely recommend an Urban Adventure!”
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* photo by Adrian Brophy – Intrepid Photography Competition
Sounds exciting! I’d like to experience this too!