Our grandsons loved the vibrancy and energy of Bangkok. The city of Bangkok ranks 12th in the world with 11,000,000 population. We explored and shopped at fascinating and trendy shopping centers as well as gigantic weekend markets. The photo above was taken from our hotel room terrace showing the majestic Chao Phraya River and the 73 story Four Seasons Residences on the right.

We debated whether we should take the boys to an unusual shopping experience at Chatuchak outdoor Weekend Market because of the 100 degree plus weather. Marla said “Let’s do it.” We usually take the Skytrain then walk some distance to the market. This time, Owen used “Grab” (Thai’s version of Uber) to order a car with air con.

With over 200,000 people visiting Chatuchak Market every weekend, the Bangkok marketplace has become one of the world’s largest weekend markets. The Market has over 15,000 stalls which are spread across 35 acres and 26 sections ranging from Food, Art, Antiques, to Fashion and much more!

Owen found a great t-shirt shop and did his first bargaining for 3 of them! Vaughan bought presents for the twins. Marla found a very cool stall selling tie dyed fashion while I was on the lookout for Asian antiques and purchased a few Burmese bronze bells. The market is a crazy labyrinth of passageways and quite hot. Sometimes we entered a stall just to cool off in front of a fan.

Time for lunch at the Chatrium hotel. The boys loved chicken Pad Thai.

The hotel has interesting bronze sculptures around the property.

It was great cooling off in the pool as the days were so hot!

This is our hotel’s boat.

We are heading to the ICONSIAM.

The ICONSIAM is one of the most unusual shopping complexes I’ve ever visited. You want to purchase a $100,000 watch… you can find it here. You want to buy some shrimp…you can find it fresh here! Most visitors arrive by boat. The two large adjacent towers are Magnolias Waterfront Residences ICONSIAM and The Residences at Mandarin Oriental. The famous Mandarin Oriental Hotel is just across the river.

The ICONSIAM in all it’s dazzling vibrancy.

Inside the shopping complex waterways and boats replicate Bangkok’s famous floating markets.

Here is a first for me,…”Spicy egg horseshoe crab salad.” Thais buy every kind of fish and food to eat in the market like a food court.

Vaughan and Owen enjoyed the whole experience.

We chose D’Ark Restaurant instead of the market. The Chao Phraya River is behind us.

Time to catch the boat back to our hotel.

On our last night in Bangkok we enjoyed afternoon beverages and snacks at the Chatrium Club Room.

Our final dinner by the river in Bangkok.

A fireworks display at Asiatique completed the evening. Our adventurous grandsons walked to Asiatique shopping and entertainment complex to ride their giant Ferris wheel while we slept!

Vaughan is psyched for the next destination on our Asia tour…the city of Chiang Mai in the north.

Photos: Dick Gentry and ICONSIAM. Not to be used without permission.