Cycling in Bangkok: success guaranteed!

Bikes in bangkok? Ehhh, are you sure you want that? Yes, very sure. I've heard enough good stories about it and that makes me curious.

At exactly 13.00:XNUMX I report to the reception of the Grand China Princess together with my girlfriend Hotel. This hotel is located in the heart of Chinatown on the corner of Yaowarath and Rajawong Road.

Cycling with Co van Kessel

The Thai present in bright yellow shirts with the text 'Co van Kessel Bangkok Tours' show that I'm in the right place. The cycling group is not exactly large, it is now low season so fewer participants. A family with two young children from Zoetermeer will also make the trip. In total, including guides, there are eight people. The two Thai guides tell us in English what we can expect and the necessary household announcements. After a few jokes about weather, the ice is broken. We go to the underground parking garage to pick out a bike. Cycling in Bangkok can begin.

The program for today is fixed. The bike ride will take about five hours and starts from the always hectic Chinatown. During the trip we cross the Chao Praya River and sail with a longtail boat over the klongs. After a Thai meal we drive back to the hotel from where we left.

Bangkok never ceases to amaze you

At first a bit unfamiliar with the strange bikes we leave. It starts well, the busy Yaowarath Road has to be crossed. Then something happened that still surprises me. The experienced Thai guide crosses the street, halfway through the crossing he waves his yellow cap in the air and beckons to the group that we can cross. I do so with true contempt for death. Surprisingly, the raised cap and a bunch of bumbling farang is enough to bring traffic to a complete halt on one of Bangkok's busiest streets. Disciplined, the Thai stop and let the group cross. Bangkok never ceases to amaze you!

Hardly time to recover from my first surprise, the caravan moves on. During the first few minutes I wonder how many of the 12 million Bangkokians I will be knocked over this afternoon. In the maze of people, alleys, dogs, food stalls, mopeds and everything else that moves, it seems impossible not to hit anything. But despite the reasonable pace, that does not happen. The rest of the group also conveniently maneuvers within the limited space that cycling in Chinatown offers you. You will quickly master the slalom. The Thai are also handy at avoiding others, which you have to do in this anthill.

Enthousiastic people

The success of such a tour is largely determined by the program, but certainly also by the enthusiasm of the participants. We were lucky. The fellow cyclists, David (39), Sylvia (37) and the children Randy (11) and Jodie (4) created a nice atmosphere. The family visibly enjoyed the trip.

David is an aircraft engine maintenance engineer and has a thing for technology. His heart beats faster when we drive through an open-air junkyard. Cars, mopeds and other parts are piled high in the alleys. Now for once not the smell of wok oil but of motor oil.

A bizarre face. Wherever you look, you see huge piles of car parts everywhere. A gearbox is being overhauled by a Thai on the sidewalk. The pungent smell of waste oil fills the nostrils and darkens the sidewalks. An environmental officer from our country would have gone completely mad here after a day's work.

We occasionally stop for a drink. A small Chinese temple, which you would otherwise never discover in the Bangkok concrete jungle, makes for some nice photos.

Eyes and ears too short

The journey is never boring. You are even short of eyes and ears. All senses are stimulated during this journey of discovery. The smells, colors, sounds and images remain impressive, even though I have been to this city before. The alleys are sometimes so narrow that two people can hardly pass each other. I have no idea where we are. Without a guide you would hopelessly get lost here. The Thai think it's fine and neatly step aside. Several times we are warmly greeted with the English 'Hello' or the Thai 'Sawadee Khap'. Small children wave to the colorful procession of farang and there is always the famous smile, although it can mean anything.

Another pleasant side effect is that cycling provides the necessary cooling. It is much less strenuous and tiring than walking in the heat of this gigantic city. It is not dangerous, although you must of course continue to pay attention.

Cruise on Klongs

After some time we arrive at the mighty Chao Praya river. We cross it with a ferry, it all goes smoothly and routinely. We continue on the other side and the changing landscape provides new entertainment. The next stop means that we will travel by 'longtail boat'. The bicycles also come along. A cruise on the klongs will never get boring.

A stop at a temple, to then feed the fish present, causes a lot of hilarity. Randy and Jodie scream with pleasure. They approach the bread by the hundreds and you can touch them. The fish are not shy at all. They are not caught and eaten by the Thai. The fact that they live in the immediate vicinity of the temple is enough to give them the status of 'sacred'.

The break for a delicious Thai meal follows. For me the chance to talk more extensively with the family from Zoetermeer. The first holiday in 'Amazing Thailand' has been a great success. Fortunately, they saved up for it for a long time. The friendliness of the Thai is mentioned first. They thought a previous visit to Hua Hin was fantastic. The vacation is almost over. It's nice to hear tourists talk so enthusiastically about Thailand. The pleasure in their eyes speaks volumes. Thailand has a number of ambassadors again.

Backyard of Bangkokians

With a full stomach we get back on the bike. We are now passing through the green part of Bangkok. Hard to imagine in advance, but we even see rice fields. The paths are getting narrower, steering skills are now required, sometimes it is even adventurous. The sun is on its way out and will soon disappear behind the horizon. The afternoon brings a serene calm. The hectic pace of Chinatown is long behind us. Everyone visibly enjoys the landscape. Even my girlfriend, who has lived in Bangkok, is constantly surprised by what she sees. Temples, green plains, coconut palms and banana trees. Schools, picturesque bridges and streets. We drive in the backyard of the Bangkokians. You won't see any tourists here, except for those few enthusiasts on bicycles.

Once back, the afternoon seems to have flown by. Let's chat for a while and let the many impressions take effect on us while enjoying a cup of tea. We say goodbye to David, Sylvia and the children.

Cycling in Bangkok is one of the best trips I've made in Thailand. If I had to give a rating it would definitely be the maximum five stars. That's why I can close this post with full conviction with how I started it: Cycling in Bangkok? Success guaranteed!