How to go to The Golden Mount - Wat Saket, Bangkok?

Bangkok's traffic is congested all the time. I guess that is why you really need an alternative type of transport besides a four-wheel drive in the city. One of the preferred ways of transportation for the locals in order to avoid the traffic jam in Bangkok is the Khlong Saen Saep canal boat.

When I read the reviews of Saen Saep canal boat in tripadvisor, it really scare the hell out of me. e.g. The boat is always overload during peak hour, the smell of the canal is terrible, stories like people who fall into the canal end up died due to infection, etc.

But in the end I decided to take a ride as it is the most convenient way to get to Wat Saket. My hotel is just in front of National Stadium BTS station (http://cloudee88.blogspot.com/2013/06/accommodation-in-bangkok.html) which makes it very near to Sapan Hua Chang station.

How to get there from National Stadium station : Walk towards Soi Kasem San 2, follow kasem san 2 all the way to the end of the road, you will pass by Jim Thompson House on your left, then turn right. Keep walking until you reach a small pier.

Passed by Jim Thompson House while we are on our way to Sapan Hua Chang station

To get to Wat Saket by canal boat, you need to get off at Panfa Leelard station (the last stop). If you are waiting for the boat from Saphan Hua Chang station, you need to get on the boat which is moving towards your left side.

Get off at Panfa Leelard station to get to Golden Mount. (first station from left)
Source: wikitravel.org

The fees is only 10 baht!!! So cheap!!! And it only took us less than 10 minutes ride to reach there. But you will notice that the canal is really dirty and it stinks!!! Anyway, we got lucky as we travel on a Saturday morning, which is not a working day, that's why the boat is actually quite empty. One thing about canal boat, it is more to a local way of transport, so when you get on the boat, you might realize that you would probably be the only foreigner there.

By the way, once the boat reach, remember to get into the boat as fast as you can, they don't wait, the minute you get in, the boat will speed up and move to the next station, so it's actually no good for those who have weak legs.

Inside the boat, the "curtains" on both side is pulled up to avoid the dirty water splashed into the boat

Once reach Panfa Leelard station, you are very near to Wat Saket already. You will notice a white bridge on your left, walk across the bridge and keep walking for 5 minutes you will reach The Golden Mount. Don't worry, along your way, you will be able to see signboards which point you to the golden mount.

Finally, we're here!!!

Once you enter, please turn right towards the staircase to get to the top. We are the dummies who turned left instead. That is actually the way down. We only realized about it when we already halfway through. Didn't even notice the arrow at the side of the staircase which pointed way down.

Happily posed without knowing this is the way down

On our way up

While I'm researching the opening hours of golden mount, i get varies answers, mostly said it's open from 8am or 9am. But I spotted this when I'm on my way up, it's open at 7.30am actually?

Finally, I'm on top :)

The view from top of golden mount

Posed with the mini golden mount before I left

Bangkok - Erawan Shrine, Trimurti Shrine and Ganesha Shrine

Thailand is a Buddhist country and really famous for her places for praying and worshiping. There are so many Shrines in the city of Bangkok and I'm going to write about the Shrines that I have visited.

Not to miss, Erawan Shrine.

Erawan Shrine is the most popular Shrine in Bangkok. You can judge it from the crowd and the number of incense sticks used. It was said that the four-faced Brahma God will grant all your wishes. I could not miss the opportunity to pray at Erawan Shrine.

And if your wishes did come true, the people will normally return to Erawan Shrine again to thank the god by hiring a group of performers to perform.

Erawan Shrine - photo shot from Ratchaprasong skywalk

How to get there: Take BTS skytrain to Chit Lom station and walk through Ratchaprasong skywalk towards Central World. Central World should be on your right and Erawan Shrine would be on your left.

Trimurti Shrine, Pray for love.

I came across an article which recommend this place as the place to wish for love. It is extremely crowded on Thursday night 9.30 as the people believed that the God will be at the shrine at the hour. Too bad that my trip in Bangkok is from Friday to Tuesday, I missed the golden opportunity. There are stalls selling roses nearby. From what I noticed, the prayers will bring along roses and pray with 9 incense sticks.

Ganesha Shrine, Pray for success.

Ganesha Shrine is the  perfect place to pray if you wish for a successful career or life. Trimurti Shrine and Ganesha Shrine are located side by side right in front of Central World.
Do drop by when you are visiting Central World.

Left, Trimurti Shrine; Right, Ganesha Shrine

Accommodation in Bangkok

Where to stay in Bangkok? I have been considering for a very long while before I made my decision. Khao San Road is the popular place for backpackers, but it's rather far away from Bangkok city center and therefore it is out of my consideration.

Thus, it's down to Siam area and Sukhumvit area. Sukhumvit area is famous for its nightlife and Siam area is the perfect place for shopping. It's all based on your personal preference, I chose Siam area in the end because I am more to shopping. But no matter where you stay, just make sure that you chose a place which the transportation is really convenient, e.g. close to BTS skytrain

Thanks to my friend who recommended us this hotel, Ibis Siam. This hotel located right next to the BTS skytrain National Stadium station and 5 minutes away from saen saep canal, which is so convenient to us. Especially after a whole day walking around sight seeing, the first thing you wanted to see after you get off that skytrain is your hotel.

See how near it is to the BTS skytrain station
Source: www.booking.com

My room - really clean and comfy

With Bangkok Art & Culture Center right beside of it, MBK center and Siam Discovery just across the street, and Tesco Lotus is just 10 minutes down the road. (we bought a lot of Lays from there back to Malaysia :P). I couldn't think of a better place to stay in Bangkok.

The famous Lub.D is just beside Ibis Siam as well. I did plan to stay here, but I'm not too fond of using shared bathroom and their private room is not available during my stay in Bangkok. (p/s: I do think that the price is a little bit pricey for hostel, but considering the strategic location, and its rating on trip advisor, maybe it's worth it)

Take the shot from skytrain station, the building next to it on the right, is where Ibis Siam located

Other hotels/guesthouse that I came across while I'm researching for a place to stay includes Wendy House (quite cheap) and also Vista Residence. (just putting here as an option).

How to get here from DMK airport : just grab a cab, if follow meter, it should be around 300 Baht, but there is a 50 Baht surcharge for taxi service from airport. The taxi driver will normally wanted to take highway (in order to avoid the heavy traffic) and you will need to pay for the toll fees