1 fish, 2 fish, big fish, even bigger fish

who knew that in our little area was one of the best fishing spots in thailand was just down the street. bung (or beung) sam ran is known for its ginormous fish. seriously, it's amazing. check out this whopper (it's small in comparison to many of the other fish we saw caught) that we saw some guy catch.i think for the serious fisher, it might seem a little too easy to catch giant fish; it only takes 15 minutes or so to catch something child-sized. they've got giant mekong delta catfish, arapaima, and some other mutants. i wonder if they stock this place.

but, i haven't really gone for the fish. i'm just not that into it. i coming to this lake and picnic. it is so serene and calming to feel like you're in the country. it's beautiful and quiet and if you sit on the far side of the lake, no one bothers you and you can sit and enjoy the outdoors for hours. pick up some sticky rice and grilled chicken at the soi on the way in and you're set for the most relaxing afternoon of your life.

nitty gritty: in addition to human-sized fish, there is also a coffee shop, restaurants, arcade, massages, ice cream, convenience store, hammocks. it's like a little convenient village. you can rent a bungalow, (1 or 2 stories, with or without AC between 600-2000B; 200B extra if you spend the night). if you want to fish, it's 500B/rod, 1000B/license per rod.
Bung Sam Ran. Nawamin 42, several km in (catching a motorcycle taxi from the mouth of the soi is best).

webby: www.Bigfishingbungsamran.com

baiyoke tower 2

it's hard to miss the baiyoke 2. it is obviously the tallest building in bangkok at 309 meters tall and is an easy landmark to spot if you're lost.

1 fl - if you're just going up to the observatory, it goes straight up from here. otherwise, head up to the 18th fl.
18th fl - hotel lobby (also where to buy buffet tickets, fruit cafe, coffee shop, gift shop)
77th fl - if you want a *slightly* thrilling ride, head up to the 77th fl for a glass elevator ride down - so very willy wonka.
82nd fl - Crystal Grill (i.e. buffet), 400B a person for dinner (it includes admission up to the observation deck). you can eat any kind of food here, just to name a few: roast lamb, indian braised beef curry, made to order fruit crepes with french vanilla ice cream, tacos, vietnamese shrimp salad, standard thai fare, sushi & nagiri, shishkabobs. as a frugal chinese-american woman, what can i say; it's a great deal. the food isn't the BEST, but it is a great spread and i definitely felt satisfied in quantity and quality as well as a great city view throughout the meal.
83rd fl - Roof top Bar. nice view, not the greatest ambience, but the city does look nice from up there.
84th fl - rotating observation deck that sounds strangely similar to an old metal rollercoaster as it rotates. on the stairs up from the buffet, the mural in the stairwell is of deep space, replete with alien statues for your posing pleasure. 200B just for the deck.

one night view of bangkok from the rotating observatory

on the 76th, 78th, and 79th floors are more buffets (bangkok sky grill - int'l; stella chinese buffet) but unfortunately, i haven't been and can't comment on them.

Baiyoke 2 Tower, located at 222 Ratchaprop Rd, Ratchathewi, 10400
very near Pratu Nam (just a short jaunt)

i am beginning...

as a new (long-term, hopefully) resident of bangkok, i want to love *really love* this city. so thus begins the "organized" collection of my experiences in travel guide form. whoever you are reading this, enjoy! i hope you find bangkok to be as lovable as i do with all that it has to offer.