My first impressions of Bangkok
Trip Start
May 30, 2009
1
3
15
Trip End
May 30, 2010
Thailand,
Thailand
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Firstly the prat at HK airport was not going to let me fly as I had no flight booked out of Bangkok & he thought due to this I wouldn't get a visa upon arrival. He then decided to check me in when he saw my face drop & I was trying to explain that I was travelling overland & flying out of Singapore. Couldn't rest then on flight as worried I would be turned away.
Didn't need to worry as they just stamped it so least that was one positive from Bangkok.
Got bag then went to ATM to withdraw some Thai Baht & no money came out so was so worried i'd been charged & no money came out & it was about 200 quid, so went to ask a thai guy what had happened & he made me try again then he translated the screen saying that I had to contact my bank as there is a problem. He got annoyed with me so I said sarcastly sorry I can't understand thai on my first ever trip!!!!!!!!! Thank god I had a credit card to withdraw from. I just knew from there this trip was going to be a nightmare!!
Managed to find airport shuttle bus to take me to my hostel, well you couldn't really call it a shuttle bus it was a ricketty (if thats how you spell it) bus. Took 2hrs to get to my hostel because of traffic & to say it was a culture shock was a under statement. Then I was really scared as this guy moved from his seat to sit closer to me & kept asking where I was staying so I just pretended I couldn't understand him, I have never been happier when he got off the bus.
Finally arrived at the hostel which is lovely, so modern, big, free internet, breakfast included. I have a marble bathroom!! I am sharing with a girl called Sophie from Kent who is lovely so we just sat up half the night chattin as even though your strangers you seem to tell people things about your life you would only discuss with your proper friends & vice versa.
Woke up after a good night sleep & decided to go to see the grand palace which is stunning & so worth a visit then I went to see the reclining buddha. You have to wear proper dress so you can imagine me in a bloody black cardi sweating from every pore in my body with temp at 30 degrees.
After that caught a taxi to Ko San road to see what was happening as that is the place all back packers go but as I booked my hostel in England I didn't realise that. It was so busy & it was no different to when you go on a girls holiday & a strip is just full of stalls, bars & places to eat. I had a chicken baguette possibly the biggest one I've seen in life, but you know me it all went ha!! Got talking to a guy from England who was also sitting on his own.
Decided then to leave Bangkok a day early as its really not my cup of tea so went to a travel agents & booked a bus, a 10hr one at that for tomorrow to take me to the islands & I just want to chill. Going to try to scuba dive so I can put my b'day & leaving money to good use.
Been out with Sophie for tea at a place called Richards, about an hour into our meal I realised we were the only girls in there & it was a gay place, really old english men with young thai men (obviously haven't come out of the closest at home)
I have seen many english men with young thai brides so they will be over with you all soon.
One positive about this place are the souvenirs you could buy if you coming home oh & everyone smiles!!!
Feel very home sick today & want to cry but have resisted & I need to have a word with myself as I'm doing a wonderful thing. I was spoilt in HK & to come to this has just put a damper on things so hopefully the islands will restore my faith in Thailland.
Oh Emma is in Labour so good luck mate- thinking of you.
Until next time (Sorry about length of blog) xx
