BBBBAAAANNNNGGGGKKKKOOOOKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trip Start
Jul 07, 2008
1
37
65
Trip End
Jun 20, 2009
Having endured the worst VIP bus journey to date, actually the worst bus to date (broken windows, broken seats, no seat belts, rancid toilet, that had no working lights which is not good when nature calls in the middle of the night, constant freezing air con throughout the night, no reading lights, movie switched off half way through, kamikaze bus drivers, and sullen staff, we arrived in Bangkok refreshed and rejuvenated. A Tuk -Tuk to our sleeping quarters at some unruly early hour and then the realization, hold on to your hats we are in bangkok! Armed with a tricky itinerary this was to be the first of three separate visits to the Thai capital. Warned to keep clear of demonstrators we took of in search of city adventures. Bangkok is one big city, and navigating its quarters is best done by utilizing all forms of transport. We had great fun taking express ferries, canal long, boats, sky trains and the obligatory tuk-tuks. No matter how well prepared you are for a scam you still find yourself in the exact place you swore you'd be savvy to never be. If a price seems to good to be true then it is, I have several t-shirts that seem to have been made to run (color that is). So after one particular tuk-tuk ride i found myself in a tailors being given the sale spiel. To be fair i probably would have bought a suit if it wasn't for the fact that we will soon be heading to India, where I'm hopeful of getting a better deal and in the end the ride cost less than 50p.. There was little time for sight seeing, however we made the obligatory trip to KO shan road (foreigners street) where it is possible to get pretty much any knocked off goods you can care to imagine (I am now more educated than Emily with a PHD in astro physics.) Bangkok has much charm and character and the back streets have a wonderful life of smiles and treats all to them selves. Many thanks to the garage machinist that fixed my shorts so expertly well all for royal sum of 20p. (You deserved your tip). Bangkok was also my first introduction to an IT megalopolis store that towered some 8 floors and probably had enough kit to bring an entire 3rd world country into the 22nd century. So 3 short errand filled days flew by just as quickly as the Chang fueled evenings. (Thats elephant beer in case you were wondering). Actually we were both on very good behaviour and made a pact to sample the city nightlife to its full on our return in a month when reuniting with traveling friends. As we departed the city in haste at the crack of dawn eager to miss the city marathon, another, Thai holiday, a Kylie concert (sorry noel), and all other forms of madness we happily brimmed in knowing bliss that before the day was out we would see the sea. This are first coastline action in some 5 months, beeches, blue skies, rest and relaxation. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
