Bugger It... I'm Staying in Bangkok

Trip Start Dec 26, 2005
1
36
285
Trip End Jan 25, 2009


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of Thailand  ,
Saturday, February 4, 2006

Despite the pollution, I love Bangkok... there is no doubt about it. I've decided to streamline my travels over the next 2 or so weeks and concentrate on Bangkok for another week followed by about 4 days in Chiang Mai. I'll then fly from Chiang Mai to Vientiane, before flying to Hanoi for the commencement of my tour through Vietnam. This means having to miss out on Pattaya (which locals have convinced me from doing) and sailing down Laos' Mekong River... but I figured that I need at least 4 or 5 weeks to do Laos justice... one future Xmas holiday break!

Bangkok is as exciting as cities can possibly get... and meeting some local friends has meant my life has become significantly easier and more enjoyable. The Thai people get the medal for being the friendliest I've ever come across... but a lot less people seem to speak fluent English than that of their neighbours in Malaysia. One guy from Cairns I met last night at a bar has fallen in love with Thailand so much that he has even decided to settle here in his retirement years... has been here 14 months so far.

The spirituality of the people has impressed upon me greatly... a simple smile to waitresses serving you, people in the street, or bartenders goes wonders in making friends here:) The staff at my hotel, the Silom City Inn, are absolutely sensational. I love the way in which the Thai people greet or thank you by clasping their hands together and giving you a bow. I also love how they say 'same same' to express similarities amongst things.

I danced away most of the night last night at one of the clubs in Silom. The club was outrageously packed but nevertheless friendly and a lot of fun. I stood out as being one of a few Caucasions. Having met a local at another bar, I managed to get in for free.

I got back to my hotel at 3am and attempted to sleep... but I am just pumping with so much adrenaline at the moment that trying to relax here is proving to be quite difficult. Before I decided to stay here for another week, I was thinking too much like a tourist and pressuring myself to see some of the sights... at least a week here will enable me to take it easy and see things at will... for shoppers, this is heaven... dam it. I'm starting to figure that having a day off here or there will make my travels a lot more rewarding:) So I spent most of today relaxing etc.

Bangkok is proving to be cheaper than Singapore... especially the taxi fares. Thank goodness because I've given up trying to get around on the public transport. As an example, the fare from Kao San Road to Silom came in at about 100 baht ($3) - about 45 minutes and such a great way to see the city. Chatting to local taxi drivers is also a great social activity and good way in getting to know things. Over the next week, I'll use the city's sky train to get a better overview of what Bangkok has to offer. Bangkok as a city isn't as bad as I thought... some parts are especially attractive with spatiously tree-lined streets and lots of decorations.

So here we are... another week in Bangkok. Bring it on.
Print this entry