Bangkok Emporium Mall and Steaming Pots

I was seated next to a young Afrikaner couple who were on their way to party it up on Phuket. That island really appeals so little to me as I advance in age. There was also no crying baby on board! It must have missed its flight.

I had a very short layover in Dubai and got deposited at the wrong airport terminal. I rushed to board a bus but was the only sweaty soul seated. The wait for others was painful as I stared at the clock, but eventually we were off! A second bootless and beltless security check got me onboard the second plane with 10 minutes to spare.

Bangkok has never really appealed to me, nor does any big and busy city for that matter, so I decided to splurge on a fancy 4-star hotel for my first weeknights. Apart from TWO aircons and TWO TVs, I had a Smart Toilet! The seat warmed as you plopped upon it and automatically flushed as you stood.

There was even an Enema option. I’ll admit that I gave it a go but must have leaped about 50 meters when my balloon knot got violated! Nevertheless, whoever thought that potty time could be such fun.

Bangkok felt a lot less intimidating the second time around. It seemed almost ‘too’ quiet, but I do remind myself how Thailand is unique in terms of no hooting! Picture yourself in the middle of New Delhi with all that noise. Now imagine being in the same scenario tone deaf. Point made.

It had been such a hectic few remote working days that I barely got to explore the city, but I still did my daily strolls to just imbibe the culture. I even went to the largest mall in Thailand in search of a SIM card. I hate malls, but this was actually quite a pleasant experience.

The Emporium Mall in Bangkok comprises of five massive floors, with all your Gucci’s and Louie’s and Jimmy Woo’s. There were also bellmen at every entrance who gave you a salute and bow as you entered. The mall was divided into quarters and terminals (much like an airport), with a Glass Quarter, Helix Quarter, Stadium Quarter and a Waterfall Quarter. The latter had an actual waterfall streaming alongside tons of green foliage. It was a great place to relax, but the entire mall seemed quite empty for a Thursday afternoon.

A real highlight was not so much a Kid’s Quarter, but an entire FLOOR dedicated to kiddy winkles! There were rooms for learning language and cognitive skills, coding and maths centres, a Gym for Kids – all manner of things centred around early development. The Thai really do love their children. And cats.

The Thai also love their festivals and there are always ones happening simultaneously. At the bottom of the Emporium Mall, was the ‘Gourmet Tastival’, with “unexpected flavour”. Prices were mall-inflated, but I thought I should try something. I really just needed a SIM card and some fruit, but settled for a milky smoothie.

They had these tiny clay pots on display. I was keen to purchase one, but my fruity milkshake came with a pot glued on the lid! They had also placed a small block of dried ice in the pot, so that it looked as if it was steaming.

Friday and my final night in Bangkok had come, so I was gearing up to head out post-work. But then it rained. Hard. Thankfully this came with a lightening show, which I viewed from my hotel balcony. Bangkok had been a rather uneventful but comfortable experience. When I move to the coast next, things are going to be wonderfully different.

A small selection of photos are on my Instagram profile.

Next: Krabi: Mango Grooves & Chilli Butt