THE DATE: January 29, 2018
THE TRIP
10:20-11:38 Again, we availed of the free shuttle service from CentralPlaza to BTS Sukhumvit Line, Udom Suk station. From Udom Suk, we had to ride the skytrain to Siam, then transfer to Silom Line to go to Saphan Taksin station. There was also a Superrich money changer booth in Siam station so we had our money exchanged there. Superrich was inside the station, no need to go out. Transportation: 59 THB per person
11:38-12:00 From Saphan Taksin station, we went out through Exit No. 2 and followed the signs to Tha Sathorn or the Central Pier. Tourist boats and hotel boats also stop there. We waited for their public boat, the Chao Phraya Express Boat, that will take us to Tha Chang. We waited until 12:00 noon for the public boat. Divibaby’s boat fare is free.
12:00-12:30 Boat ride from Tha Sathorn to Tha Chang. Transportation: 15 THB per person
12:30-13:30 We were already starving when we arrived at Tha Chang so we decided to have lunch first before going to the Grand Palace. We ate at a small air-conditioned local eatery where the food was reasonably priced from 59 THB to 89 THB per meal. Meals: 250 for me and divimom
13:30-16:00 Grand Palace. After eating, we walked to the Grand Palace. I read beforehand that scammers would approach tourists to tell them that the palace was closed. I was really concerned that we will be scammed but I guess the hot, humid day discouraged them from lingering around the palace. Upon entering the gate, we noticed that there were already a lot of tourists inside. I had a feeling this would happen since we started late. Anyway, the ticket booth had a queue but it was fast. We explored the place despite the hot weather. The temples were majestic. They were well-maintained and the craftsmanship of the Thais was showcased in every wall and post and ceiling of the buildings. No food stalls inside but there were several drinking stations within the compound. We also entered the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Unfortunately, pictures were not allowed. We stayed there until closing time, where we witnessed their changing of the guards. Divibaby’s Grand Palace ticket is free. Ticket: 500 THB per person
16:00-16:35 My companions were already tired so we decided to skip the other temples and head to the river cruise. But first, we had snacks at Subway in front of the Grand Palace entrance gate. I also bought a postcard for Divibaby and had it sent to her in our Manila address (which I received a week later). Then we walked back to Tha Chang to ride the Chao Phraya Express Boat to Si Phraya Pier, the stop nearest River City mall where we will board the cruise ship. We thought the booths in Tha Chang sells boat tickets, like the one in Tha Sathorn. Turned out that the people manning the ticket booths were actually agents for private tourist boats. They offered us 700 THB for a private ride. We declined and waited for the Chao Phraya Express Boat. Miscellaneous: 143 THB
16:35-16:55 Boat ride from Tha Chang to Si Phraya pier. A boat conductor roamed inside the boat to collect fares. Transportation: 12 THB per person
16:55-19:20 From Si Phraya pier, we walked to River City for our river cruise. We purchased tickets for Chao Phraya Princess Cruise via Klook. The cruise included a buffet dinner. The cruise was two hours along the Chao Phraya River. According to their schedule posted in Klook, the check-in time was 7:00 to 7:20 pm, departure time was 7:30 pm, and arrival time in River City was 9:30 pm. I presented our Klook vouchers to the Chao Phraya Princess Cruise booth and they gave me our tickets and stickers. We had to wait until boarding time. Fortunately, there was a Naraya store in River City and I was able to hoard several unnecessary but style-coordinated items. Nothing much to do in River City even if it is a shopping complex. They had no food hall or arcade zone. The mall’s tagline is “The Anchor of Arts & Antiques”, so if you’re into paintings, sculptures, or old things, you will enjoy it here. We went to the boarding area by 7:00 pm. Souvenir: 1,185 THB; Miscellaneous: 200 THB
19:20-21:30 We boarded the ship by 7:20 and it left the dock by 7:35 pm. It returned to River City after two hours. I will write a review on this but for now I will rate it a 2.5 out of 5. Tour: 1,550.57 PHP per person; Miscellaneous: 400 THB
21:30-22:10 River City to MeStyle Condo via Uber. Transportation: 245 THB per car.
THE EXPENSES
For consistency’s sake, 1 PHP is 0.61 THB.
