Compassionate Clowning : Silly Smiles Take You Miles

The tagline of my blog says, Silly Smiles take you Miles... it's wonderful to live your saying, your belief and perceive it in real. It's actually inexplicable how you feel when your words become alive with their real meaning and make you dance to their tune. 

Since my childhood, I had always been fascinated by Clowns. When we used to play cards, I always used to wonder why the joker is always left out. I used to feel very bad for that Joker card being sequestered and instead used to keep it in my deck. Whenever there was a circus show in the town, I was all excited not to see the lions and elephants dancing but the clown juggling the balls and deliberately making fall his red nose or colorful curls instilling laughter in the air. I always thought how difficult it is to make someone else laugh, to make them forget about their pain and misery and soak them in the wave of joy and laughter. This very thought always provoked me and apparently brimmed in the form of my maiden poem Spreading Smiles.

I had never thought that the joker so much playful in my subconscious mind will attract me to play its role one day. These lines are popping up in my mind from James Allen's , "As a Man Thinketh",

Mind is the Master power that moulds and makes,

And Man is Mind, and evermore he takes

The tool of Thought, and, shaping what he wills,

Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills: —

He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass:

Environment is but his looking-glass.

So, I became a clown. Yes, I did. I dissolved my identity to embark on the journey of spreading love and happiness. And the first lesson I learnt was to be compassionate. Yes, in the world where we are all confined to our tiny cubicles unaware of the person sitting at our backside but communicating to unseen souls through social media, are we compassionate enough to hear the sob of the person sitting beside us. Have we ever noticed why the person who was coming regularly, occupying the seat next to us has suddenly stopped coming. Do we ever bother to ask a person how he is doing after a long sick leave. Are we really compassionate or we have forgotten what being compassionate means.

I became a Clown, not just a clown but a compassionate clown to heal the tiny souls undergoing excruciating pain with a little love and happiness. As my doctor friend says, "laughter helps in fighting stress. It reduces pain by releasing endorphins (the body's natural painkiller), boosts the immune system by increasing the level of T cells & lowering serum cortisol levels, thereby promoting a positive outlook. Laughter helps people to cope with difficult situations and create loving and helpful bonds which aids the healing process."

Compassionate Clowning is an initiative taken up by compassionate clowns to visit hospitals and help the doctors and patients in their battle with their sword of laughter fighting away the pain and distress. Compassionate Clowns is a group of volunteers where anybody and everybody is welcomed with warmth and love. The volunteers gather every weekend in different cities and visit the nearby hospitals to infuse the air of ailing pain with refreshing laughter and happiness. This clowning activity is carried out in different cities of India like Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Rajkot. You can easily connect with the nearest clowning group at their facebook page and volunteer for the noble cause -https://www.facebook.com/CompassionateClown

I took the new year resolution to be more compassionate and became the clown with a red nose and pink cheeks at Gujarat Cancer Society Hospital, Ahmedabad. The clowns are regularly visiting the children suffering from cancer being treated at this hospital. Every saturday it seems as if the entire children ward awaits their arrival. From parents to doctors to hospital staff to the anxiously waiting tiny tots.

There's nothing more contagious than the laughter of young toons. 

As the clowns dress up, paint their faces, the passing-by patients and visitors curiously look at us for being so colorful and vibrant at a morbid place. And we greet them with our vivacious smiles and joy.

Clowns with the Hospital Staff

As this was my first time being a clown, we started off with painting our faces red and yellow. Then we made a circle holding hands to share the positive vibes amongst ourselves and take the oath to spread it forward with everybody we come in contact with.

Clowns taking the pledge

I was the engine of this session. Yeah, the chhuk chhuk gadi engine ;) We entered the children ward like a vibrant colorful train. The children resting in their beds woke up and smiled. So, finally the jokers are here. We were late by half an hour and one child was very angry. See the receptivity of the child for warmth and happiness that he refrains to wait by even a few minutes.

Why are you late today?? Can't you see me waiting for you with this mickey specs?

The clowns are in action now. They have dissolved their identity of a student, of a job seeker, of a tired professional. They are just the clowns saying sorry to the little child by dancing to his favourite song.

Acchi Nani, Pyaari Nani, Maan jao na ;)

As it was the new year, so we had carried new year hand-made cards for all the children wishing them a bright and healthy new year. We chatted with them like our own siblings and asked them to write down their goals. "What would you like to be??" See, we are giving them a hope to achieve their dreams irrespective of the disease they are suffering. If you wish you can, then you surely can!

Happy New Year Princess!

We blew balloons, we sang with the children, we told them stories, we chit-chat with them. They love us as clowns and we love them more and more. Some children are very naughty. Afterall how can one disease take away their innocence and we make sure that never happens. 

Inky Pinky Ponky

The little energy packets energized us more than we had expected. They make us the child again and take us back to our golden days. They forget about their pain and get lost in our stories and magic tricks. 

And when you find a cute child dreaming to be SRK, the clown teaches him how to be SRK. And the entire ward becomes a movie theatre with dialogues of SRK, Bacchhan, Kapoor falling around.

Click me fast! I'm the new SRK ;)

The doctors also find it refreshing to laugh heartily and enjoy with their little patients. They always say, "I pray this child lives his dream of being a pilot."

Dr. Uncle! See my mustache, I have grown up now :P

More surprisingly, its the parents who participate in the games and feel joyful. They enjoy us as clowns and we enjoy seeing them laughing and cuddling with their kids in all joy and happiness.

A happy Tigress mum with the SherKhan :)

As we leave for the day, we share our experiences with each other and there's always a lesson learnt. We always complain of trivial things, of being deprived of this and that. But as we see the little guns fighting against all odds, we are charged up. One clown said it so rightly, "I dont come here to make them happy. I come here because they make me happy. "

All colorful Clowns:)

This is all possible with the energy of togetherness. No one clown has the strength to go alone inside the room full of pain and agony. Sometimes we too break down on seeing our brothers/sisters in such tormenting pain. But together we vibrate in symphony and blow the breeze of triumphant happiness.

We are a Happy Family :)

Smiles are contagious and we are its brand ambassadors. We spread it, gather it, spread it more and blow it around creating a peaceful happy aura. We believe in making people happy together. We are #SpreadTheVibe. Come, join us in spreading this vibe all across.

Clowns in Caps!

Öbrìgadò!
JJJ
 
This post is written for #SpreadTheVibe by youthkiawaaz

Start a New Life

"You are a dumbo. Don't even know the solution of this simple problem", shouted my teacher. All my classmates chuckled under their notebooks. I felt very bad.

"You can't even take care of your clothes. Look how dirty they look and bad they smell", complained my mother. I became upset.

"Can't you see. It was nearly an accident", yelled the stranger with a bald head. I pondered if I took wrong turn.

"Give me a break, dude. Your ideas are so boring", my manager was furious to hear me.

"Are you alive?", enquired my friend.

No, I'm half dead. I wanted to shriek out. Everyone on the earth finds me stupid, dumb, boring and even doubt on my existence. What the hell. I can't be like others. Super intelligent, quick, witty, cool, fast and flexible. No, I can't. Yes, I tried but it was suffocating. I cant fake it for not more than one day. I'm slow. I'm not autistic but you can consider me so. I have grown up listening to downcast comments of friends and foes, knowns and unknowns. And now I have turned deaf to all of them.

I have often thought if I'm normal, if I'm kindred to them. For me, I'm perfect, then why to give a hell thought to those who don't find me akin to them. Take a chill pill, let the world think what they want to and let me start afresh to leave them agape in awe of my new life. I convinced myself.

The new sun brought a new day in my life. I practiced to speak. Just like a Nursery kid, I started all over again. I was my own coach, my own mentor. I repeated words again and again to throw them out at one go. Initially I stammered heavily. I practiced more. Demosthenes became my role model. I didn't put stones in my mouth like him. But I pushed my potential to the edge. I was determined to make people hear me, my views and opinions. I struggled with my throat, made it comfortable to accommodate vowels and consonants. I rehearsed my own name like a child in front of the mirror. At first I used to broke down. How useless am I, I can't speak my own name. But I overcame this low and grim feeling by rehearsing my name with confidence looking into my own eyes. It's a different feeling to see yourself rising from a timid guy to a confident man daily. Talking to your own reflection and working on all the imperfections made me fall in love with myself more and more. 

I was changed. I changed for better. And I was happy to change. I overcame my fear and took up the prolonged task of grooming up myself into a confident guy. I began a new life. It was a fresh start. I can now talk without hesitating. I don't cringe now when I have to convey my thoughts. Confidently I present my thoughts through well formed words. Well may be the spirit of Demosthenes was with me instilling optimism in me. Who knows !!!
Anything and everything is possible. You can die twice, you can live twice. It's all upto you to start afresh beating behind all the grey odds and welcoming vibrant, cheerful life. 

Öbrìgadò!
JJJ
 
This post is written for an activity by Housing.

Together

The sweat dripped down the chin and the tattered slippers spoke much about the day's toil. It was one another day adding to almost three years. Yes, it's since three years I'm running from pillar to post to get justice to my daughter. My love , my life ! The beast had torn her apart and I was so helpless to get her back into my life. The rapist was breathing free since three years and I couldn't breathe easy since then.  My blood boiled up with white hair rooting out. The screaming painful face of my dotty had left me agitated and I'm never calm since then. How mercilessly the scoundrel pushed himself on her, the very thought had awaken me many-a-times in the falling night. My delicate darling was withered like the soft petals of a blooming flower. And I felt the pain of her detachment more than anyone else. I wanted to shoot away the beast right there in the court room. Every delayed hearing and his more victoriously puffed up chest made me more and more restless. Today, one of the witnesses turned hostile and the strings of my case laid weak. I fumed with anger and inhumanity of the witness. He too appeared partners in crime. I wanted to blow him up right when he said 'NO'. Only I know how I'm controlling myself in the court room every time I go for one another hearing. With my back drooped down under the increasing insensitivity of the society and burden of smirky smiles of the defaulters, I hauled towards my home. 

I unlocked the door and sat exhausted on the chair. I looked around and missed the chirruping of my dotty. My lone reason of existence had left me alone. Tears welled up and I cried till I felt dizzy. All WHYs occupied my mind. Why my dotty went to the trip? Why can't he be punished? Why I approved her vacation fun? Why me? Why me? ......

The clock struck nine and I hopelessly stared at the pendulum. Moving back and forth, it reminded me of my life then and now. My gaze shifted to the painting hanging close to the clock. 'FAITH.. HOPE .. LOVE' carved by my dotty suddenly charged me up. She used to say, "Mumma!!! If you believe in something with whole of your heart and have faith in turning around the stones, then believe me, your hopes will be answered soon. Just cling to it for a little more time, just a little more time." Her words echoed in my ears loudly. My faith restored and I felt more determined to get justice to my daughter. I yearned to be with her and this very feeling of being with her TOGETHER peacefully inside the empty walls shook me to fight the battle with more vim and vigour. 

Together we resolved to fight and have faith in the better. Yes, better times are coming... just a little more push, a little more perseverance.

Öbrìgadò!
JJJ
 
This post is written for activity organised for housing.

Look Up Story !

It is almost two years since we met. Everything was beautiful, everything seemed colorful. Happiness blushed and laughter accompanied. All appeared vibrant and cheerful. The different hues of a happy perfect life unfolded and splattered us with the joyous moments of never-ending days and nights. As the old had said, love makes life beautiful. Ours had indeed turned into super beautiful. From morning rush to look more charming than yesterday to awaited twilight to count stars in each others' eyes set butterflies each day. So enticing, so bewitching never appeared the regular life. But suddenly this regular had turned into a roller-coaster ride charging us up each day. All wondered how can they be at cupid's target. Even we too wondered but the arrow had struck and we were wounded in love. Flying in the sky, weaving dreams together, we lived together in a whole new world where everything seemed possible because we were together and felt the immense power of two. The duo was admired for their mutual understanding and trust, the two essential pillars of a relationship. 

Unfortunately, came an earthquake and the pillars got shattered. A little doubt, a bit of insecurity and one's ego shook the pillar. The roller-coaster ride all of a sudden came to a halt. The morning rush turned drab and evenings became lifeless. The power of two broke down. Both broke down, shattered into pieces looking at the half-broken pillars. Both of them wanted their 'togetherness' back but none wanted to remove the debris. It's often in darkness, a ray of light find its way. The overwhelming social media buzzing with daily feeds of love and breakups occupied their brains. Just then their common trait became their saviour. The Badshaah was the favourite of both. It's often when we are depressed and sunk into gloomy dark room, the history of someone we admire serves as a motivation to us. It was SRK's birthday. News channel were crying loud of his success and his famous love story. No success became a hinderance, no religion came in way, it was just their love which won all the way. They gave a thought if it has happened back then at the old time, why can't they be together now. They buckled up to remove the debris, erect the pillars in place and be together to be TOGETHER forever. 

Sometimes little stories and faith in something better are the ones you need to look up to rise high and rejuvenate the dragging life into a happy running life.

Öbrìgadò!
JJJ
 
This post is written for activity organised for housing.

Pamper yourself with the Zenfone !!!

The dictionary meaning of Valentine is " A sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day". Who can be the sweetheart? I asked myself.

The one who seems sweet to my heart, came a quick reply.

Rasmalai
or Gulab Jamun
or Rasgulla

Ohho! Common, Tie your tongue and rein your brain.

Ok, so who is the sweetheart?? who is my sweetheart??

Looking around, thinking wide the only sweetheart I could find is ME. Yes!!! only me.

"Main apni favourite hoon!!! " @ Kareena Kapoor in "Jab We Met" is all what I can remember.

So this Valentine I will pamper myself. And what is the best way my dear sweetheart?

Amm... treat yourself the best. Pamper yourself with the coolest gadget. And here is the smartest new ASUS Zenfone to my indulgence. So let me flatter myself with the admirable features of ASUS.

Wallet - Friendly

ASUS being the most trusted brand and pioneer in the manufacturing of Motherboard, the heart of the device, is wallet- friendly too. It has launched a range of Zenfones with the most impressive features which have impressed my wallet also. The reasonably priced Zenfone are a must-pick to pamper myself within the billfold limit.

Selfie Freak

I'm my favourite and to capture this favouritism ASUS has come up with high quality 5-element optical formula lens. So the pixelmaster will gather more light to capture even the finest details and deliver pictures with excellent clarity, contrast and richness. What else a selfie freak wants. A super cool, dashing, bashing selfie with focus on ME, only Me and the loveliest colourful background with the chirruping me. Cheese!!!! and Click, Click are on the roll.

Fastest Finger First

With the desire to sit on the Hot Seat to play with Big B, my fingers will have to run fast and ASUS will be my mentor. It has10-finger Multi-touch Panel and Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Moreover it supports Glove Touch Input which is damn cool for the cold-stricken people like me who become more of Eskimos donned with the woolens of ten people on a single body. The Intel processor provides smooth responsiveness without any compromises handling multiple tasks together. It also provides a thrilling gaming experience. I can run fast, drive fast on the tracks of ASUS.

Long Live My Zen

Unlike the leaking water bottle which renders an empty bottle leaving me thirsty, ASUS has taken care of the battery. The power pack battery ensures hassle free talk and unrestrained engagement with my valentine.The Zenfone uses a low-power consumption processor and a power-efficient antenna design for long lasting battery life. The long talks, late night chats, e-book reading, soothing music, all can breathe free with the long lasting battery.

Beauty with Brain

ASUS Zenfone comes with the motto to turn complexity into simplicity. ZenUI that comes with a bunch of convenience features, uses Intelligence technology. It helps to keep track and manage the schedule and time with features like Asus What's Next, Do It Later and more. The UI is smart and intuitive to understand one's needs. Also, it's so chic. The colorful case with ceramic touch makes it bold and beautiful and also bumps and knock resistant. The phone can be personalized with multicolored ZEN UI options to reflect mood and personality.

So, don't you find ASUS Zenfone lovely enough to go on a date with. Common, grab it before it gets reserved and you are left single again.

#UnconditionalLove Advert 

Öbrìgadò!
JJJ

This post is written for Indiblogger Happy hour Contest in association with experience #UnconditionalLove with the Zenfone. Pamper yourself !

Quikr NXT - Are you NXT?

Quikr, Quikrrr !!! All of you must have heard of this web portal, popular among the buyers and sellers as the one-stop portal to sell their used/unused items or purchase used/unused products ranging from mobiles, tablets, cars, bikes, electrical appliances to pets, homes and even your would-be (matrimonial). With the evolving market, the needs are changing and so Quikr has come up with a new feature , Quikr NXT. This feature allows you to interact with your buyer/seller over chat. So now with No Fikar, Bech Quikr, it is being added up with 
No Fikar, Chat Quikr.

                                     
                                             

Earlier when sellers posted ad, they mentioned the details (usually a brief description) of the product and then  sat down to attend the catena of phone calls with prospective buyer asking number of questions about the product, from stupid of the queries to irritating doubts. This often upsets the seller with this humongous task of advertising and telecommunication. Quikr has come to the rescue with its new feature Quikr NXT. 

Now, the buyers/sellers need not to worry about the spam calls. They can keep their contact number and personal email-id confidential. The only point of contact will be their Quikr ID just like Facebook ID where they can chat with the buyer/seller at ease without divulging any personal information.

No need to wake up in the middle of your millionaire dream to answer the phone call of  a prospective buyer asking about your old refrigerator. O' dear Quikr-ite, now you are blessed with Quikr NXT ! You can answer the queries of a prospective buyer or ping a seller at your own convenient timings. No need to feel embarrassed in the middle of a meeting or crying loud in the jam-packed bus over phone. Sit back and chat in your own comfy chair.

I know you are obsessed with your selfies. Your phone memory is breathing hard amidst your super awesome , beautifully edited snaps. Get ready to make space for a new snap because now your product will pose and you will capture. You can share the snapshots of the product to be sold with your buyer and impress him with the various photo sessions of your dear product fetching you an awesome amount.

Öbrìgadò!
JJJ
 
This post is written for Happy Hours organized by Indiblogger in association with Quikr .

Healthy Child = Happy Home

"A lively child makes a home lively."

Children playing in the park, meandering around the parked vehicles, trolling in the shops while parents are stuck over the this-or-that choices, always catches the attention. They leave behind a trail of smile on our face howsoever bad is our mood. Children and their innocence are the stimuli to our happiness. Their warmth and energy fill our homes with a positive aura. Their daily hullaballoo enlivens the rigid walls. So we should take care of this energy packet. If it falls sick or gets exhausted, the home becomes a house with deadly silence. Let's see how children fill up the empty spaces in our home with their enthusiasm and pranks.

Tina loves cookies and doughnuts. Dunkin Donuts is her favourite hangout place whenever she visits the Alpha Mall. But do you think she loves doughnuts only for their varied flavours. She always picks up doughnuts of different colors and instead of putting them first in her mouth. She looks through the holes within them like a binocular and jumps high. And then put the two different doughnuts on her eyes beating behind the latest trend of sunglares. Her doughnut glares are in vouge!!!

Harry Potter and Hermoine are Tina's favourite characters. She also wants to join Harry in his school. So she keeps practicing with the broom as her flying stick , Nimbus 2000.

                        

Harry is very naughty. He revels in his pranks all around the home. He often hides behind the door when his mother is about to enter the room. And from behind he scares her with a near-heart attack from his sudden loud 'BOOO'. 

                                                          

Ron loves to splash hot coffee into the mug for a thick froth and then juggles the mug for want of more froth. Crazy Ron! He loves coffee not as the drink but for its froth.

                                   

Aditya keeps shouting all the time cheering every member now and then. He with his vibrant spirit cheers the players playing in the television and family members batting the daily household chores. No one feels tired with his hooting filling them with joy and energy. 

                             

Eric plays his finger on the smartphone screen faster than anyone else in the family. He knows each and every function of the phone and its app. He helps Grandma to dial, papa to search for his contacts, mummy to search a recipe on youtube. He is the young smart teacher. If he isn't at home, the cellphones feel like some hollow cases ignored by all. 

                                

                         

Tina loves pets. She coddles her three cats more than anything, not just because they four have turned into 'Fantastic Four'. But because these cats jump over her father, tickle him, scare him, leap in his lap. Her father summons her and Tina comes up as a modest child taking away her friends to their cradle. So obedient and humble she is!!! Ah Ah, a big chocolate peeking out of her pocket speaks all of her mischief. 

                          

The winters are around but this should not restrain the children from laughing loud, jumping around and spreading their warmth. So to keep them immune to winter diseases and infections like cold and cough, Dabur Chyawanprash is the perfect antidote. Chyawanprash has a number of herbs like Amla, Giloy (Guduchi), and more than 40 other natural ayurvedic ingredients.

The scientific studies conducted on Dabur Chyawanprash have proven its immunomodulatory and anti-allergic potential. It provides 3 times immunity to fight against virus and infections. It is now available in 2 new exciting flavours mango and mixed fruit flavor. Yummy!!!!! I can now proudly say, I'm a Dabur Chyawanprash girl.

                   

¡Salud!
JJJ

   
This post is written for Happy hours of Indiblogger organised in association with Dabur Chyawanprash.

Picture Courtesy - Bitstrips
Title Tags - Surbhi Bafna

Travel Smart with Skyscanner

Summer vacations are approaching and everyone in the family is day dreaming of visiting their dream city. Where grandparents wish to go spiritual, Mumma-Papa wish to explore the history and we, the youngistaan want to break free, go shopping and immerse in total fun. Browsing through the list of tourist places, we ended up at Bangkok - City of Angels, the place perfect for the entire family serving everyone's taste.

Now, begins the actual task. How to manage the trip within the budget ensuring a fun-packed journey. Google answers this question with the very smart answer Skyscanner. Skyscanner is a one-stop solution for travelers like us who have to plan everything from accommodation to destination, from flight to cabs in your dream city, all at comparative prices. This travel search site provides you with quick analysis over thousands of flights and hotels and presents before you the platter to choose your desired service.

Skyscanner is a very user interactive platform. It smartly filters your requirements and provides you with the cheapest flights and hotel deals. It charges no hidden cost and is absolutely free and easy way to plan your trip.

So, when we have zeroed in on Bangkok with Skyscanner, all we need is to pack a smart travel bag with all the essentials and get excited to visit the places we had been googling all this while.

Smart Travel Bag

1. Optimal clothes and medications

2. Passport, Boarding passes, 

3. Credit card and foreign currency.

4. Charger and other necessary electronics.

5. A nice camera to capture memories.

Bangkok Ride 

Bangkok has upheld the grandeur and glory of its illustrious past while speeding up with the modern time. Be it dazzling temples, spectacular palaces, a world-famous floating market or colourful Chinatown, each of these famous places has an intriguing story to tell. 

1. Wat Arun - Temple of Dawn

The impressive silhouette of Wat Arun’s towering spires is one of the most recognized in Southeast Asia. Constructed during the first half of the 19th century in the ancient Khmer style, the stupa showcasing ornate floral pattern decked out in glazed porcelain is stunning up close. This will dazzle all of us. The shrine by the river side with holy chants in the air will not only mesmerize my grannies but all of us.

2. Grand Palace & Wat Prakeaw

No visit to Bangkok would be complete without visiting its dazzling, spectacular Grand Palace, undoubtedly the city's most famous landmark. Built in 1782 - and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government - the Grand Palace of Bangkok is a grand old dame indeed, that continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, all of which is a proud salute to the creativity and craftsmanship of Thai people. Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom. The place my father will love to explore , mother will relish its grandeur and we would love to pose in front of it. 

3. Floating Market

The pioneer of all floating markets, Damnoen Saduak continues to offer an authentic experience despite its increasingly touristy atmosphere. I can't resist myself from imagining dozens of wooden row boats floating by, each laden to the brim with farm-fresh fruits, vegetables or flowers. Food vendors filling their vessels with cauldrons and charcoal grills, ready to whip up a bowl of ‘boat noodle’ or seafood skewers upon my request.

4. Wat Pho

Wat Pho is a lot more than the gigantic reclining Buddha and traditional Thai massage. It harbours a fascinating collection of murals, inscriptions and sculptures that delve into various subjects, from warfare to astronomy to archaeology. The vast temple complex contains a landscaped garden with stone sculptures, stupas adorned with glazed porcelain, a souvenir shop and the College of Traditional Medicine. My entire family will love to be here. Under the shade of Buddha we all will find solace.

5.Chao Phraya River & Waterways

It is one of the most scenic areas, which if I visit, I'm sure to fall in love with the riverside reflecting a constantly changing scene, water-taxis and heavily laden rice barges chugging upstream, set against a backdrop of glittering temples and luxury hotels. I wish to live its charming ambience of stilt houses flanking the complex waterways. 

6. Chatuchak Weekend Market

Chatuchak Weekend Market has reached a landmark status as a must-visit place for tourists. Its sheer size and diverse collections of merchandise brings any seasoned shoppers like me to their knees. The market is home to more than 8,000 market stalls. On a typical weekend, more than 200,000 visitors come here to sift through the goods on offer. I'm pretty sure if my family visits here, we will be carrying loads of bag fulls of Bangkok offerings.

7.Jim Thompson’s House

Jim Thompson’s house is an exquisite example of his three decades of dedication to the revival of Thai silk, then a dying art. After he mysteriously disappeared into the jungles of Malaysia, he left a legacy behind, which is reflected through his vast collections of Thai art and antiques now on display at the Jim Thompson’s House and Museum, itself a lovely complex of six Thai-style teakwood houses preserved to their original glory. I'm fond of speculating antique things and I have heard so much about this house that I wish to reach Bangkok in a trice and explore its every corner till my legs succumb.

8. Rama IX Park

After visiting all the major attractions of Bangkok, it would be very difficult for all of us to escape its magnetism. The intense thrall of Bangkok might captivate us forever. Before leaving Bangkok, I would wish to relax in nature's lap and compile all the sight-seeings compact. Rama IX Park is the largest green space in the city. It has an International Garden, where seven countries are horticulturally represented. I would enjoy sitting in the green expanse with my family before heading for India carrying a bag pack of Bangkok memories.

¡Salud!
JJJ

 

This post is written for a contest organised by Skyscanner in association with Indiblogger.

Image Courtesy - Google
Content Source - Bangkok