Another Day in Bangkok
Trip Start
Sep 10, 2007
1
3
40
Trip End
Jan 03, 2008
Bangkok,
Thailand
Friday, September 14, 2007
Hello to all visitors!
It has been pointed out to me that perhaps the dates of this travel blog are a little off, so I think I'll write the date and time on each entry so you guys know where I'm really coming from! Remember to factor in the time difference. I think Winnipeg is 13 hours behind, so really it's like I'm in the future! Ooo, eerie!
Well, yesterday I finally got my sleep schedule back on track. I finally just had to bite the bullet and stay up really late so that I would wake up properly in the morning. Thursday was actually my first enjoyable day of this trip. Before that I was sort of feeling a combination of homesickness and feeling out of place. Never knowing what to do or what was going on. But it turns out, you just have to give things time and then you get used to it. And now, I love Bangkok! Even with all the traffic noise, the people and the occasional sewer smell! I really get a kick out of riding the skytrain and seeing the different parts of this city. Although, I could never see it all, I think it goes on forever, it's so massive! I wouldn't even know where to classify the downtown as the tall skyscrapers just seem to go on forever! Street level is the best though. I've become a pro at crossing the busy streets (not many crosswalks here), avoiding the dogs and buying from street vendors. It's amazing all the things that are sold on the street. And these little vendors come and go like a wave too. Certain ones are out during the day and then a whole new set will roll on in for the night.
Anyways, so Thursday Lee and I headed out fairly early to beat the heat. We had to take two skytrains and then a boat up the river to reach the token 'touristy area'. This is where so many well-known wats are located. First, we were to Wat Pho, the temple of the reclining Buddha. The surrounding compound was simply amazing, it's hard to really describe in words. All structures are so ornately decorated with glass or ceramic tiles, in complex and beautiful patterns. Plus the architecture of the buildings are all so unique. The Buddha statue itself was incredible, all covered with gold leaf. Some would say that Thai style may be gawdy, but when you see it up close, it seems to make you appreciate all the work that went into it. After that we headed next door to visit the Grand Palace. I don't think the king and queen were home, but 10 000 tourists certainly were! It was amazing how they all came out of the wood works like that. I certainly don't see them all on the streets! The palace was...grand, to say the least. It was a very enjoyable tour as far as things to see. However with the thick of the days heat on us, plus the crowds, we could only take so much of it.
Stopped on the way home and had my first true Thai meal. Had rice, sweet 'n sour tofu with red peppers and celery and fried mixed vegetables, all for 50 baht! Sweet dael! (~32 baht per CAD) The first few days of me being here, I didn't have much of an appetite and was only eating toast from the hostel kitchen. Bad, bad I know. I think it was the street vendors the first night, along with the dogs and rats that kind of turned me off. But the meal settled well, so I suppose more Thai food is on the way!
After a bit of a nap at the hostel, Lee convinced me to go out to the infamous Khosan Road. I won't go into too much detail here, but just imagine a two block radius where foreigners go to party. I didn't enjoy it so much, as I'm not a drinker and it was late when we went and things were alreday closing up. The best part about the night was the tuk tuk ride home.(When I say home, of course I mean the hostel. It does feel like home though.) Tuk tuks are open aired, three-wheeled vehicles that dart around traffic super fast! And they are everywhere.
Today, I was up before Lee and decided to head to the street on my own. It was a lot of fun! Took quite a bit of street pictures and of course had a fun skytrain ride. Went to this musueam called 'Jim Thompson House Museum' which showcased traditional Thai residential architecture. Jim Thompson himself was an American architect who fell in love with Thailand and played an integral part in reviving the Thai silk industry. He also had quite the collection of oriental art, which was on display. The most intriguing part of his story was that he took a trip to Malasya in 1967 and disapeared. So the tour was interesting enough and the garden around his house are like a jungle and quite extensive.
So my jaunt out today was quite satisfying that I could take on maneuvering this city on my own. Tonight will be the last night in Bangkok, as tomorrow we head down south and find ourselves a tropical island! I do look forward to a little calm and relaxation after this hustle and bustle in this city. And swimming in the ocean will be fantastic! (Yes Mom, I'll be careful of jellyfish!)
Comments
Snap snap!
I'm glad your taking a whole bunch of photos, I can't wait to see them when you get back =) I was thinking of you all day yesterday. When doing mock surveys at work, the supervisor pretended to be a woman who had gone to Thailand, and I stopped and completely lost track of what was happening as my mind revolved around thinking about you! I miss you, but you sound like your having so much fun! I love you!
just a note
Wow, those sound like really neat places to visit! Cold night tonight here, I went to the corn maze where Ryan works. Adios!
-W