After a slow first day where I just stuffed my face and couldn’t walk anymore, May 10th in Bangkok was fun.
Walking, we more than made up for today. We spent a lot of time looking for China Town in the morning. Thankfully, a kind inquisitive stranger named Malisa went “That is king”, while we were looking at a picture of Thailand’s ruling monarch. She proceeded to tell us we were doing it all wrong (China Town opens only after 6) and went on to draw us a line along the river we were supposed to go on. Awesome! She was so excited that her’s and Melissa’s names were (almost) the same. Oh yes, I was just Edlyn in the corner.
The ride along the river was wonderful. Their houses are on stilts and they mostly all have sit out areas. Pretty sweet deal.
Here is a picture from the day that was.
(I don’t know what is with that smudge in the bottom left corner. Cool temple, so ignore it)
Puppies!! (I had to)
Chatuchak market’s smiling Buddha
This is my take on modernity Vs tradition, what I call “a crock of pot”, since I’m trying not to swear
Wat Arun by day…
…and by night. This view from across was where I proceeded to drink my Bangkok Sling and watch the boats row by
People in Thailand walk around with bags of cool drinks, which may sometimes be confused with giant bags of movable pee. You thought it, I said it.
Trust me, it was a good idea when I took it.
What is with my hair, you ask. Beaches do strange things to this Goan.
Continuing the series on fuzzy animals, this one is called: Kitties!!
I’m a sucker for vandalisation, if that’s even a word. If it’s not, write to my editor.
*SLURPP*…Oh…Oops.
On it.
Travel buddy is hiding from me
This is how the sky said goodbye
Useful pearls of wisdom: We stayed at Khaosan Baan Thai in Bangkok. It’s a cute little hostel, run by a family that never stops smiling. They serve a complimentary breakfast every morning (not vegetarian) and it’s the happiest looking thing (refer to my next post on food).
The easiest way to get here is to take the metro from Suvarnabhumi Airport and get off at Phaya Thai station. From there you can take a tuk-tuk (hard to bargain because they know that it’s where all the newbie tourists wait. A better option is to take a taxi and insist that you want to go by the meter. Don’t get in unless he says okay. The taxis are different colour but they all have the same fares. The hostel is about 10 minutes away from Khaosan Road, the overhyped tourist ghetto, where everyone goes after dark.
If you’re in Bangkok for a short time and feel that you must go to a Thai beach, Koh Samet is your answer. The entire journey is around 4 hours long. Take a taxi to the bus station, which we thought was fairly long and that the taxi driver was ripping us off. However, that’s just the way the Eastern Bus Terminal rolls. The ticket window is right at the entrance in a little glass cubicle. Buy a ticket, wait for your mini van to arrive and then go go go!
I’ve said enough. Now you go love Thailand long time.
