Day 3. Fascinating Creatures in Bangkok.

Day 3: From Sunrise to Chinatown

Our day began early—very early—with a stunning sunrise over the Chao Phraya River. Watching the city awaken was magical. The stillness of the morning, the shimmering reflections on the Chao Praya River, and the faint hum of boats beginning their daily journeys gave us a sense of calm before the chaos and intense heat of Bangkok life resumed.

After breakfast, we headed to Lumphini Park, Bangkok’s beloved green escape. The kids were thrilled to hop onto the free duck pedal boats, gliding lazily across the lake under the shade of sprawling trees. The highlight, though, was the giant monitor lizards that roam the park. They slithered in and out of the water, completely unfazed by our presence, while the kids tried their best to “chase” them from a respectful distance.

By late morning, the heat began to press down heavily, so we escaped it with a ride on the Skytrain—an adventure in itself. The cool, elevated train offered not just relief from the heat but also fantastic views of the city bustling below us. We hopped off near a small Vietnamese restaurant for a lunch of fresh spring rolls, fragrant pho, and iced coffee, a perfect break in the middle of the day.

The afternoon brought us to the Snake Farm, where we got a fascinating lesson on snake bites and how antivenom is made. The kids were intrigued and watchful when a small mouse wandered into the snake pit. A mix of suspense and dark humour followed as we all wondered: would the mouse escape unscathed or become an unlucky midday snack? Spoiler alert: he survived, much to our relief, crawled up a wall and out through a high grate in the wall while the lazy snakes slept on. You snooze, you lose.

The day ended in Chinatown, and by now the heat was at full throttle. We zipped through the streets in a tuk-tuk, the breeze offering temporary respite. The first tuk-tuk ride was a thrill for the children. Neon pink lights, driving open-air among the mopeds and songthaews, the riiippp of the tuk-tuk engine and that warm, breeze carrying intoxicating smells whipping through our hair. Chinatown was an explosion of sensory overload—vivid colors, tantalising aromas, and bustling crowds. The night market was a feast for the eyes and the stomach. But oh my goodness the heat. We are still not acclimatised to the intensity of Bangkok's humidity.

Dinner was a street food triumph. We devoured plates of insanely good chicken fried rice and flavourful curries that packed just the right amount of heat to satisfy all taste buds. Everything tasted fresher, saltier, crisper and more vibrant than anything we’d had before. We certainly slept well tonight!