Bangkok
City Highlights
Bangkok is a huge city with something for everyone. While researching things to-do, we found this blog post very helpful for ideas.
Visit Temples
The Grand Palace (Royal Palace) and neighboring Wat Pho, home to the famous reclining Buddha and massage school. The Royal family doesn’t live in the palace (it’s only used for official state functions) and you can’t go into any of the buildings, but wandering the grounds and open temples is worth the visit. It’s beautiful and the craftsmanship in the architecture is amazing. Go first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Afterward, wander down the street to Wat Pho and the famous reclining Buddha (as well as the famous Golden Buddha). It’s the largest reclining Buddha statue in the country at 46 meters (150 feet) long. The Wat Pho complex fills a city block so while seeing the statues doesn’t take long, you could spend a solid hour wandering the maze-like temple grounds.
Next, head across the river to Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn). This is a gorgeous Buddhist temple on the Chao Phraya River opposite the Grand Palace. It has one main spire and four small ones and is so iconic that it’s on Thai money. From the top of the main spire, you get to see sweeping views of the city.
Note: When visiting temples, wear clothes that cover your legs and shoulders; it’s considered disrespectful to wear revealing clothes.
The Floating Markets
You can enjoy a half-day visit to the floating markets around the city (Khlong Lat Mayom and Thaling Chan are the two most popular). It makes for a filling morning adventure and if you get there early you can avoid the crowds. Thaling Chan is the more touristy one so to avoid the hordes of tour groups, definitely get there early. They’re not the best place to shop, but they are great for people-watching and eating. Both markets can be visited by public transportation.
I love the chaos, the smells, and the little ladies cooking and selling you various treats as they paddle by you. (You never leave hungry.)
Chatuchak Weekend Market
The weekend market is one of the best things in Bangkok. It’s the size of many football fields and quite crowded. You’ll find everything and anything from authentic designer clothes to their fake counterparts to phones to knockoff movies to pets to backpacks to kitchenware. There’s a big dining area with great, cheap food. Don’t miss coming here. With over 15,000 stalls, it really does have everything!
Open Saturday and Sunday 9 am-6 pm
Koh Samui
Island Highlights
While there is really no reason to leave Villa Kalyana, if you'd like to get out and see the island, here are a few recommendations.
Visit a Temple
Wat Khao Chedi
Offers an engaging blend of spiritual solace and cultural exploration. Unfolding across a sprawling space, the temple, its surroundings, and their history form an enchanting tale of Thailand’s rich religious and architectural heritage.
2 Minute Drive or 8 Minute Walk
The Red Temple (Wat Ratchathammaram)
Known for its deep-red brick structures. The temple is filled with ornate stone carvings and sculptures, most depicting various scenes from Buddha’s life. It is also referred to as Wat Sila Ngu or “Stone Snake Temple” because of the intricate stone-carved image of snakes around the area.
15 Minute Drive
Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) (Pictured Below)
Located on a small rocky island called Koh Faan, north of Bophut. The golden, 12-metre-tall, seated Buddha statue was built in 1972 and remains one of Koh Samui’s most popular attractions.
43 Minute Drive North in Bophut
Wat Plai Laem
An imposing 18-armed image of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy and Compassion. The religious complex is known for its intricately designed architecture that combines Thai and Chinese elements. It is also surrounded by a lake, which adds to the tranquil and calm ambiance of the site.
44 Minute Drive North in Bophut
The Wharf
A cross between a shopping mall and a marketplace in Koh Samui. This 5,000-square-metre space has 120 shop lots with a mix of eastern and western architectural styles. The open-air mall blends smoothly with the existing attractions of Fisherman’s Village, offering a selection of good-quality products and services to Bophut’s shopping scene.
36 Minute Drive North
Central Festival Samui (Shopping)
Offering over 200 shops, bars, restaurants, and recreational activities to the ever-growing number of visitors to this favorite Koh Samui destination.
36 Minute Drive in Chaweng Beach
