Bangkok, Thailand

Well, this is the first blog post on Pour Me Some Vino and I couldn't be more excited to start with blogging about our last trip which ended in the vibrant capital of Thailand - BANGKOK!

After deciding that Bangkok had to be included in our whirlwind vacation to Tokyo, Japan and all over India, we knew we wanted to stay in a central location. We ultimately decided to stay at the gorgeously chic Le Meridien Hotel in Silom next to the Patpong Night Market for our 3 nights in Bangkok. As SPG members, we got a room upgrade, free breakfasts in the hotel that included anything and everything including my favorite - noooooodles - and daily happy hours with free drinks and snacks. We also had one of my favorite dishes in the hotel called Larb, a super spicy dish of ground meat, lime juice, fresh herbs, chilies, and other ingredients served with cabbage. I crave this dish!

On our first night in Bangkok, we took the Best Eats Midnight Food Tour by Tuk Tuk with Bangkok Food Tours. What a fun introduction to the city! We visited a flower market that is open 24/7, walked around Wat Pho, and ate sooo much food!

Riding in the tuk tuk. We were so excited! Our first stop was a small restaurant where we were immediately taken to the alley in the back of the restaurant where these guys were lined up cooking Guay Tiew Kau Gai - wok-friend rice noodles with chicken, and egg. I topped mine with chili flakes and vinegar. The smells were amazing, but it tasted even better.

Then we visited this huge flower market that is open 24/7. So many beautiful colors.

We also visited Wat Pho. It was special to see it lit up at night and not crowded (unlike when we went later on in our trip). Absolutely stunning.

We also saw Wat Pho from the other side of the river while having a beer at the "secret location."

We had a few other stops, but ended at Thip Samai which is considered by many to have the best Pad Thai in Bangkok. I wish I would have taken a picture of all the people waiting to try its famous dish, or even a picture of the dish itself, but you'll have to forgive this novice blogger. I'll be better with pictures next time! If you're dying to know what we thought - it was good, but eh. Thailand is filled with so many noodles, and the Guay Tiew Kau Gai we had earlier on the tour was, hands-down, better.

Guys, this was just our first night! The next few days (including New Years Eve) were equally memorable.

We traveled by boat on the Chao Phraya River. We took the tourist boat which was about $4, if that. We almost got tricked by a tuk tuk driver to take a "private" boat which was over $30. Thankfully we knew better and headed for the pier where the prices were displayed and fair.

We also went back to Wat Pho during the day and visited the Temple of the Reclining Buddha.

Of course, we also made sure to have a drink at Sky Bar at the Lebua Hotel because everyone has seen the Hangover 2. So why not?!

The same night we went to Sky Bar, we also visited Chinatown (Yaowarat). I ate all the noodles.

These noodles were delicious. Egg noodles with roasted pork and wontons. Neal and I are heading to NYC in a few weeks and are going to hunt through Chinatown in hopes of finding noodles like this. Fingers crossed!

Our last night in Bangkok was New Years Eve and we were lucky enough to snag a reservation at Nahm, which had just been awarded a Michelin Star. The food was outstanding and a perfect way to end a perfect stay in Bangkok. We can't wait to go back.