joyful_sun's VirtualTourist Home Page

Bangkok has been Joyful Sun's home for 3 years now.

Before that, the Joyful Sun shone brightly for 3 decades in Manila, Philippines. Relocation to the Land of Wats was due to a work assignment given to sun's significant other, call him Mr Joyful Sun. Of course, this expatriation is much loved and welcomed since it allows the Sun couple to partake in their favorite activity on a regular basis. Obviously, this favorite pastime is the same as everyone else's on this site - TRAVEL..

Other interests high on the Sunny couple's list are:
1. Scuba Diving
2. Golf (although Joyful Sun has had numerous lessons on this game plus all the equipment to play it, she has opted to just drive the golf cart when her significant other does a round on weekends)
3. Photography and videography - both on land and underwater
4. Animals and the environment

Mr and Mrs Joyful Sun are child free which makes it very easy to get away for the weekend or go on spur of the moment trips.. which is how they usually travel...always last minute.

Here is Joyful Sun's Suggested List of Must Sees and Do in Bangkok:

SIGHT SEEING TOURS
1. Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha
2. Wat Pho for the magnificent reclining Buddha
3. Vinmanmek Teak Mansion
4. Royal Barges Museum - something different

BARGAIN SHOPPING
1. Chatuchak Weekend Market
2. Narayanaphand Basement
3. MBK
4. SuanLum Night Market
5. Pratunam

BRAND NAME SHOPPING
1. Central Chidlom
2. Emporium

QUIET RETREATS
1. Jim Thompson's House and Cafe opposite MBK
2. Tea at the Author's Lounge, The Oriental Bangkok - you've got to do it at least once

OUT OF BANGKOK TOURS
1. Floating Market - touristic but great for photo opportunities, very colorful
2. Ayuthaya and river cruise - only if you've never seen ruins

FAVE FOOD
1. Thai Restaurant
Curries and More in Soi Ruam Rudee - more for the casual ambiance
Home Kitchen (a hole in the wall restaurant along Soi Langsuan, no ambiance but really good food pretty much like Somboon)
Somboon for the chili curry crabs
Anna's Cafe for the best Tom Kha Gai
2. Pizza
The Loft in Central Chidlom
Pizzanotti for delivery (02-8008089)
3. Steaks
Neil's Tavern
4. Coffeeplace
Jim Thompson's House opposite MBK
5. Burgers
Garage in All Seasons Place

This year has mostly been an Asian historical trip for the Joyful Sun couple.

January
Beijing and Xian China
Camping in Khao Yai Thailand
February
Angkor Wat Cambodia
April
Family visit in Manila
Diving in Anilao Batangas and Malapascua Cebu Philippines
May
Lahore and Islamabad Pakistan
July
Shanghai China
Liveaboard diving in Maldives
September
Chiang Mai Thailand
Yangon and Bagan Burma

Trips on the drawing board:
Laos
Vietnam
Nepal

Animal Encounters
1. Swimming with Whalesharks in Donsol Philippines !
2. Scuba Diving with Mantas in Bali and Maldives
3. Playing with Dolphins in Thailand

Friendliest People Encounters
1. People from Burma
2. People from India
3. People from Pakistan

Fave Historical Places
1. Bagan Burma
2. Bath London
3. Siem Reap Camboodia

Fave Photogenic Countries Visited
1. India
2. Turkey

Fave Cities Visited
1. Bruges and Brussels Belgium
2. Sydney Australia
3. Florence and Venice Italy

Unusual Animal Sightings
1. Whalesharks in Donsol Philippines
2. Panda Bears in Chiang Mai Zoo
3. Molamola sunfish in Bali Indonesia
4. Komodo Dragons in Komodo Indonesia

Fave Shows Seen
1. Stomp and Lion King in London
2. Whirling Dervishes in Turkey
3. Kecak and Legong Dances in Bali
4. Beijing Opera in Beijing