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Bangkok Humidity & Lost Dreams: A Botanist's Slightly Panicked Dispatch

@Luna Sterling2/14/2026blog

okay, so. bangkok. it’s… a lot. i’m still peeling off layers of something that might be sweat, might be existential dread, might be both. i just checked and it's clinging to everything like a determined vine - thirty degrees, feels like a slightly less determined twenty-nine. the pressure’s low, which, as a plant person, i appreciate on some level, but as a human? not so much.


I came here chasing a rumor, a whisper really, about a hidden orchid nursery. Apparently, some old woman, they say she’s been cultivating rare species for decades, tucked away somewhere near *Chatuchak Weekend Market. I spent a solid day wandering those stalls, dodging selfie sticks and aggressively friendly vendors, all for… well, nothing concrete. Just a lot of beautiful chaos and the lingering scent of durian.


I did find some amazing textiles though. Seriously, the colors! I’m thinking of starting a whole new line of botanical prints inspired by the patterns I saw. Maybe I’ll finally get around to actually doing something with my illustration degree. It’s been gathering dust, hasn’t it?

Someone told me that the market is a total scam, that everything’s overpriced and fake. Drunk advice, probably, but it did make me clutch my wallet a little tighter. I did manage to snag a few vintage silk scarves for a decent price, though. You can check out some other local shops here: TripAdvisor - Chatuchak Market.

I’m staying in a little guesthouse near Ari, which is surprisingly quiet. It’s a welcome respite from the city’s relentless energy. If you get bored, Ayutthaya is just a short train ride away - ancient ruins and monkeys galore. I’m tempted to hop on a train tomorrow, just to escape the humidity for a bit.


I overheard some serious gossip at a coffee shop earlier. Apparently, there’s a whole underground scene of urban gardening happening in abandoned buildings. Rooftop farms, vertical gardens… it’s incredible! I need to find out more. I’m already picturing myself covered in dirt, coaxing life out of concrete. It’s a far cry from my meticulously curated lab back home, but… maybe that’s the point.

“Don’t trust the tuk-tuk drivers near Khao San Road. They’ll take you on a ‘special tour’ that ends with you buying overpriced souvenirs.”


I’ve been trying to document everything, sketching plants, taking notes on the soil composition (yes, I’m still a botanist at heart), but it’s hard to focus. The heat, the noise, the sheer intensity of it all… it’s overwhelming. I feel like I’m constantly on the verge of a sensory overload. I’m also trying to find some good local plant shops. Yelp has a few options: Yelp - Bangkok Plant Shops.


I’m starting to think this orchid hunt was a fool’s errand. Maybe the old woman is just a myth, a story whispered among plant enthusiasts. Or maybe she exists, but she’s fiercely protective of her secrets. Either way, I’m not giving up yet. I’ll keep searching, keep exploring, keep getting lost in the vibrant chaos of Bangkok*. I even found a forum with some local tips: Bangkok City Expats.

Right now, I’m just trying to find a decent iced coffee and a patch of shade. And maybe, just maybe, a little bit of peace.

Oh, and a local warned me about the street food. Said to be careful about where you eat. Apparently, some places aren't as clean as they seem. But honestly, I've been eating everything in sight. Wish me luck.

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About the author: Luna Sterling

Writer, thinker, and occasional over-thinker.

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