Bangkok – Thailand’s largest city with a population of six million people and a metropolis covering 3,000 square miles – is hardly the first port of call you would expect on a relaxing break.

But Bangkok is deemed to be one of the world’s most exciting cities and I was intrigured enough to want to spend a few days exploring a fraction of it before moving north.

The Cha-da, one of Travelbag’s recommended hotels was perfect. Located in the popular shopping/office area of Huai Khwang, it is a little way from the hectic centre and has a rather tucked away but very welcome rooftop pool. (I couldn’t resist starting and ending my days with a reviving swim and enjoying the stunning city views at sundown.) The Cha-da Hotel is conveniently located on the MRT, Bangkok’s main subway line, making commuting easy, convenient and very affordable; a one-way ticket to the main station, Hua Lamphong, costs 38 bhat (a mere 78p). Once there, Chinatown is a ten-minute walk away.

I would suggest being brave and using the tuk-tuks if you’re travelling outside of an area you know, as the road layout and names can be quite confusing. As a rough guide, expect to pay about 40 bhat for a five-minute journey – again, very affordable and faster than taxis, which are generally stuck in traffic jams.

I wanted to find out where people suggested I eat and what the specialities were. Everyone’s response was the same: it seemed Tom Yum was the overall favourite. This classic Thai noodle soup is said to soothe and restore the mind and body. Thinking that sounded exactly what I needed, I heeded their advice and opted for the seafood variety, Tom Yum Talay.

The king prawns were some of the largest I had seen and there was a generous amount of squid and white fish. Good sized pieces of lemongrass, root ginger and chilli are left in the broth when served, adding intense flavour but be careful when eating.

You could head for a restaurant but with the immense array of street vendors in and around Chinatown, it really is the place to go for a great selection, oodles of atmosphere and freshly cooked dishes. Generous portions come at low prices (do not expect to pay anything more than £3 per person, including a nice chilled big bottle of Chang Thai lager – complete with ice and a straw!) I had arranged with Zara at Travelbag to go on a half-day temple and city tour, which was a great way to absorb the atmosphere of the The Old City, Bangkok’s spiritual and historical heart.

The Old City is thick with temples but by far my favourite was Wat Pho, the oldest temple in Bangkok. The grounds were serene, outstandingly beautiful and felt intensely spiritual. The 46-metre long stunning image of the reclining Buddha is a sight to behold.

Although not part of the tour, do ensure you start early (when it’s cooler) and spend a few hours at The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo – the remarkable site houses the very sacred and much revered Emerald Buddha image.

All Wats (temples) are for the people and regardless of faith, everyone is welcome – but do ensure your legs and arms are covered and shoes removed before entering.

Another highlight of my stay was a half-day Colours Of Bangkok bike ride. The business is run by two Dutch men who have lived in Bangkok for 17 years and know it well. With two fellow riders from the Netherlands and our Thai guide, we carefully navigated around the main roads to view a normally unseen side of the city.

We met some of the people who originate from the north but come year on year to the Bangkok to work. Thailand has only 5% unemployment and it’s clear the people are extremely enterprising and hard-working, just to make ends meet. Yet, despite their hardship, they were genuinely happy to welcome us and show off their meagre homes. Again, I was humbled by the Thais and Buddhist way of life.

The rest of the tour took us into “the green jungle” on the other side of the river, which consists of acres of coconut and palm plantations, plus a wonderful park where the locals come for a bit of peace, quiet and clean air at the weekend.

Bangkok was an eye-opener and I am glad I took the extra days here to discover the delights of a city so huge yet so gentle, polite and respectful. I will be taking this piece of their culture on my journey.

  • Read more about Carla ter Maat’s adventures in South East Asia in Seven Days Magazine on Saturday, May 17
  • Carla ter Maat is sales manager for Drakes boutique hotel and restaurant in Brighton. She delights in discovering hidden gems – whether fine food importers, local wine producers or excellent restaurants – and she’s travelling far and wide to do so
  • For more information on booking a similar trip, visit www.travelbag.co.uk or call 0845 5436615