The door to our room
Study overlooking garden
Two of the ponds residents
Dining pavilion at sunset
Thousands of orchid blooms lined this walkway
Pond and gazebo at dusk
It has been a fast moving last six weeks, now that we are back it seems only a blink of an eye. After a night in New York with dear friends we were en route to Bangkok, a bustling city of 8 million, famous for palaces and temples but well reputated for being sinful and seedy. As large cities are usually an avoidance for us, I was careful to book a hotel in Old Bangkok I hoped would be an oasis from the noise and crowds. Chakrabongse Villas exceeded my every expectation. From the lush gardens surrounding ponds and water features, to the riverside dining pavilion with traditional furnishings, every inch was beautifully presented and maintained. Built in 1908 by Prince Chakrabongse, the house was originally used as his leisure residence, a perfect spot for picnics and river rides after attending royal ceremonies in the Grand Palace. After the 1932 revolution the house became home for Prince Chula Chakrabongse, a writer and historian whose daughter Narisa would later open the property as a boutique hotel to lucky visitors such as ourselves. The dining pavilion sits on the Chao Phraya River (River of Kings), which cuts through the heart of the city. The upper deck was our favorite frequent; a great spot for morning yoga while watching the city come alive as well as sunset cocktails followed by city lights.
Tuk-tuk drivers will try to pursuade you to stop at various merchant or tailor shops. Persistent and firm no's are usually necessary to get you to your desired destination
The floating market was another highlight, just a short trip from the city, a colorful food and photo fest.
All images by PepperKeyStacie
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