Do(n´t) travel: Trip around the world in Bangkok

I can´t say that I love shopping centers. Yes, they are nice if its a rainy Saturday in autumn or winter in Europe and you have nothing to do. But normally I avoid them. For some reasons this is changing when I am in Southeast Asia. I would not say I gravitate to them but I like to visit for example the Siam Paragon in Bangkok, the Pavilion in Kuala Lumpur and the ones at the Orchard Road in Singapore. The biggest difference for me between Asian and European shopping centers is usually not the shops - sad to say that nowadays, those are the same all over the world. You have the ususal brands in different price ranges, be it Zara, Esprit, H&M, Adidas or Nike or be it Louis Vuitton, Tiffanys, Prada and Gucci. The biggest difference for me is the people - the people in Asia are really into shopping and there is nothing better to do on the weekends then to meet with some friend and go to a shopping center!
To give these shopping addicted crowds something new and fancy is not so easy. Every few months, a new center opens somewhere and drags the crowd with them. So I was really amazed to see a totally new concept of a shopping center in Bangkok in the brand new Terminal 21.
Ladies and gentleman - fasten your seat belts! And also make sure your seat back and folding trays are in their full upright position. We are ready to take off to your trip around the world!

Find your directions at Terminal 21

The idea of the Terminal 21 is just terrific! The entrance of the shoppingcenter is build like an airport. The security staff and the ones at the information desks are dressed like pilots and stewardesses. (Please don´t tell this to the security staff at London Heathrow. Even if they think they are the most important people in the whole world of travelling they don´t have to look like that *lol*) But back to Bangkok. You will find the directions on a large display panel, like at the airport. Each floor has a the design of a cosmopolitan city in the world and the elevators are your flight from one city to the other.
So let us start our round-the-world shopping trip with a flight to Paris. Just arrived at this floor you really get a Paris feeling. Street lights and floors in french style and little shops with colourful window frames made me just expecting an old guy carrying a baguette home, but I didn´t see one. In little Paris you will find ladies and mens wear, shoes and accesoires in small shops. A really a-typical feeling for Asia, where the only European and American brands you find are usually well known brands in large flagship stores. This does not mean that you won't find these brands in this mall, you simply will find them in a different way.

Little Paris in Bangkoks Terminal 21

Our travel continues. And thank you, dear owners of the Terminal 21 for making us catch a fly for our way from Paris to London instead of the crappy Eurostar trains *lol*. So take off for our short flight from little Paris to little London. Of course the concept here is the same. Small shops with products more or less fitting to the London theme in a Camden Market surrounding. Not surprisingly, you will find a typical red telephone box, a red double decker bus and a bobby. But if you are now wondering if the atmosphere might seem artificial, I have to disappoint you. Yes, it is still a mall in Bangkok and geographically far away from Paris or London. But it is well done and really worth to visit - also because the set up of this center is completely new to the Asians. There a long queues where people wait to take a photo in front of the red double decker bus or other attractions. It is also very interesting to see how the Thais see the eight citys and regions that are shown in Terminal 21 and what they find typical.
Our travel will go on. On our trip around-the world - ehm, around-the-shopping center - we are stopping in Rome, Istanbul and Tokyo. All of them are unique, have a very special atmosphere and different things to explore.
A real highlight is the San Francisco area. Here will you find the Golden Gate Bridge, just hanging under the rooftop of Terminal 21. And when you walk nearly into the cable car, which is part of a restaurant, it is maybe time for a rest - thank god the San Francisco part contains some restaurants! Another possibility to take a break is the Hollywood area - it is not a big surprise that you will find a cinema here.


The caribbean Lighthouse at the Terminal 21

Loaded with new energy let's explore my favorite floor, the LG. This is the Caribbean floor, with palm trees, a beach area, and colourful houses that give you a real holiday feeling. The highlight on this floor is the gourmet market. Here will you find delicious food from all over the world. If you are abroad for a long time you might be to get some food from your home country.
So even if you are normally not a big fan of shopping malls, do visit the Terminal 21 if you are in Bangkok. It is a different shopping experience to be on a trip around the world during shopping, eating and simply having a good time!