I made it to Bangkok!

I got to my hostel around noon today, and was determined not to do so much as lie down when I got there, knowing that I would absolutely fall asleep the moment my head hit the pillow. (I’ve successfully made it until nighttime before going to sleep. Who needs jet lag anyway??)

Khao San Road

I then took a stroll around Khao San Road, which forms the neighborhood that my hostel is in. This is known for being a very popular spot for backpackers, and it’s jam-packed with food and clothing vendors, bars, restaurants, and live music. I bought myself a little purse and a mango smoothie here, and spent some time sitting and chatting with the vendors I bought the smoothie from- who kept giving me more and more pieces of fresh mango to eat while supplying me with recommendations of what to do while in Bangkok.

Wat Saket

I then visited the very first wat (temple) of my trip: Wat Saket, or the Temple of the Golden Mount.

This temple is at the top of an artificial hill, which is also the site of many haunting graves of plague victims from the 18th century. The climb up the hill is beautiful, featuring a red staircase surrounded by waterfalls, sculptures, and lush foliage.

There is also an auditory element to the ascent. The voice of a man chanting is played through speakers throughout the Mount, small bells of all pitches ring in the wind, and visitors ring larger bells and gongs while making their climb. The chattering is constant.

Finally, you come to the temple complex itself. The structure is full of Buddhas covered with gold flakes, and another set of stairs brings you to an impressive gilded stupa and a 360-degree view of Bangkok.

The journey down from this wat brings you past several more impressive Buddhas, along with a strange and eerie memorial to those whose bodies were devoured here by vultures during a terrible cholera epidemic in the 19th century.

Dinner at Thip Samai

Now, of course I had to go all in for my first meal in Thailand! That’s the reason I waited in line for 45 minutes for Michelin-rated pad thai.

This pad thai was quite unlike any I’ve had before. The noodles were more delicate and less sweet than any I’ve eaten, but most notably, this one came wrapped in a thin layer of egg.

As was recommended, I also ordered some of the restaurant’s famous orange juice. It was not just full of pulp, but full of chunks of fresh oranges.

Now I’d call that a successful first day in Southeast Asia!