Now I'm talking about the Grand China Princess hotel: for those of you who want to do something out of the ordinary - and utterly not related to sex:
A Dutch guy (nope, he ain't gay) runs bicycle tours from the Grand China Princess. His tours start at 07.00 AM, and last all morning. You get a bike, and cycle from the GCP through Chinatown's tiny alleys. Then you cross the Chao Praya river by pedestrian ferry or longtail boat (bikes go along as well). On the other side you cycle first through Thonburi, later through abandoned plantations. Almost looks like you're in the jungle! Last leg is a longtail boat ride of about 30 minutes back to BKK. Then you cycle from the pier back to the GCP around 12.30.
The tour includes everything: bike, guide, as many drinks & snacks as you like during the stops (once every hour or so). Bt. 950 each person.
I've done it myself, several times even. I like biking. Actually, I am one of the very few who rides a bicycle to work in Bangkok.
Nice thing is that you see Bangkok as it is. Where the 'real' people live. You don't see the famous temples, but the ones that common folks go to. The atmosphere is relaxed, and both the participants as well as the general public like it a lot. I'm living in BKK for 14 years, and during those rides I've seen more of Bangkok than I did in many years living here.
I don't know if the moderator allows a url, but I'll try it anyway: http://www.covankessel.com.
posted by Gany on CFS