Finding Urban Serenity in Bangkok's City Parks

Hello to all you travel friends out there!

As I shared previously, I've been posted up in Bangkok for over a week now trying to sort out the next step in my visa debacle. It's starting to look like I may be laying low here for an even longer stretch before paperwork and entry permission comes through. Oh no and hahaha - such is life on the road sometimes!

Luckily, I'm in good spirits and making the most of forced time in Thailand's electric capital. Just yesterday early in the AM, I set out to explore a narrow but lengthy park situated right by my hotel. Walking in the dawn stillness surrounded by trees and grass was instantly calming. Ever since college when I'd study for hours in campus quads, parks have had an almost drug-like effect for melting stress.

Finding a bench tucked under the shade of lush palms, I paused to just sit and soak up the urban serenity. Birds twittered from branches above while locals practiced Tai Chi along the central path. Despite being smack in the middle of a mega city, this slender green escape offered peaceful perfection apart from the chaos just beyond sight.

After an hour of reading and listening to the fountains bubble, I continued my stroll to appreciate the little details, from spiral orchid blooms to hand-carved stone chess tables. I plan to sample more of Bangkok's abundant public parks during my extended visa exile. If they offer even a fraction of the sanctuary and charm of this one, seeing more green space can only enhance an already vibrant stay.

For now, I hope you enjoy a few photos from this unexpected urban refuge I uncovered. Here's to finding mindfulness and beauty wherever the journey leads, even when detained longer than desired! I'll report back on whatever oasis I uncover next.

On my way out of the peaceful park, one final environmentally-friendly fixture caught my eye – a recycling container made completely of compressed plastic bottles.

The bin's walls were constructed from loosely tied plastic containers.

I thought the colorful, eco-friendly creation for dispensing recyclable plastics was a clever way to lead by example in waste reduction and inspire visitors to deposit bottles properly. Yet another unexpectedly uplifting moment from a morning spent amidst Bangkok greenspace and community mindfulness exhibits!

In addition to the crafty recycled bottle bin, a couple of unexpected living creatures captured my attention while exploring the park that morning. Tucked into a shady corner grooming itself was an adorable calico cat. The friendly feline wandered over seeking affection as I paused to admire its soft patchwork coat and bright blue eyes. I couldn't resist snapping some photos with the cute kitty before it sauntered back into the bushes.

However, the next animal encounter elicited more wariness than cuteness. Emptying into a bone-dry pond was a large concrete drainage pipe. Emerging from the dark mouth was an equally sizeable lizard! Gray-green with menacing red eyes, the 3 foot reptile crawled forward with its long tongue flicking before it noticed me approaching. Startled, the spiky-backed beast picked up speed and disappeared into the pipe perhaps to hunt the pond's absent fish. While fascinating to witness these urban survivors upclose, I kept my distance in case the formidable lizard wasn't as docile as his feline park companion!

Between the sweet feral cat and ominous monitor lizard, this natural refuge clearly offered surprises at every turn.