The Ordinary versus the Extraordinary – A year of travelling with three children: 1 January 2015 - Starting the new year in Thailand

Well, a memorable beginning to our year of adventures, Happy New Year, 2015! Here we are in Bangkok and this time last year, our travel plans were but a thought and a possibility as we packed up camp at Lake Eildon and headed to Albury, NSW.

There are hundreds of little stalls selling offerings...even live birds from time to time.

Riding elephants!

Acres of Snoopies!

Not much snow in Bangkok!

Christmas decoration?!

I had heard about a cheap and wonderful well kept secret in Bangkok - a water park!We HAD to go!

After researching how to get to Fantasia Water Park, we set off to find the canal (khlong) and a boat to take to Bang Kapi Mall. We found the canal with no trouble and enjoyed all the Christmas Snoopies and decorations outside Centre World on the way. Even being New Years Day, Christmas Carols were still booming out! I suppose that is the commercialisation of Christmas coming to Thailand and completely losing any original meaning. Not at all sure how Snoopies and snow and a huge Christmas tree fit into the Thai culture! It is a shame that such commercialisation attracts such huge crowds in search of happiness. Having said that, we did pose with the Snoopies as the kitchiness of it all speaks volumes about the influence of the "West".

Pratunum Pier

Noisy boat..note the blue canvas on right to pull up to avoid smelly splashes!

On the hand, the canal boat, used by the locals along the rather stinky sewer way is “real” Bangkok. Safety standards are rather haphazard although the ticket lady did wear a crash helmet to guard against the very low bridges as she held precariously onto the ropes on the side of the boat. The boats tear along creating quite a wake and the passengers can choose to pull up the canvas to stop being splashed by the smelly water. Getting on and off is a very quick process and also very dangerous. It pays to be fit and not too big around here. I really don’t know how the elderly or disabled would ever manage here on local transport.

Ticket lady on side of boat.

Low bridges over canal.

In fact, the footpaths are so narrow and full of poles and low hanging wires, that wheelchairs or even baby strollers could not be used. The footpaths are uneven and steps at every lane way. It is like a step aerobic class just walking down the street....and then there are the drains...PONKY!

Bubble tea!

We found the Mall with no trouble and after enjoying a terrific food court lunch of noodles and bubble tea we ventured to Fantasia Water Park. It is on the top floor of the Mall and WOW, for 200 Baht ($8AUD) or 120 Baht for kids, we were well occupied for the afternoon. The river and waterslides were excellent especially after we hired a big inflatable ring. Fun and more fun. We had to wear swimming caps and our bathers were probably a bit riske compared to the locals who have dress like bathers. There were few people queuing and we loved it!!! Highly recommended especially for kids between 3 and 12 but even our teenagers loved it.