Bloody Tourist

It's not all just partying here.  There's some sightseeing to do as well.  My occasional idiocy, this time represented in the form of wearing my flip-flops while walking around town for the first couple of days, resulted in the development of fairly large and rather painful blisters on the balls of my feet.  I resorted to my shoes and soldiered on in great pain.  I must say, these Merrels are the best walking shoes I've ever owned. 

Chao Pray River

On Friday morning, I set off to see the Grand Palace which is within walking distance from the hotel.  Although sites of this size are relatively easy to find, navigating the streets to get to them is not so easy.  Just crossing the streets can be a real challenge.  That's when I met three young people from Chile who were going the same way.  Stephan had his map out so we could figure out where to cross when a Thai fellow came up to help.  We learned that there was some kind of state ceremony taking place and we would not be able to get in until after noon.  The Chileans also wanted to see the 'Standing Budha' so I set off with them in two of the beloved tuk-tuks that the Thai fellow helped us organize. 

David, Trina and me

Tuk-tuk drivers are worse assholes than cab drivers.  They're like part of this tuk-tuk mafia, all of them offering cheap tours and fares only to take you somewhere shopping or to another tour company where they receive a commission if you buy.  These two did just that.  We got close to the Budha to a pier where a tour boat company offerred some sightseeing deal that would take us to the Budha and many other sites.  We declined and proceeded to walk to the site as now the tuk-tuk guys weren't very happy with us and the fare suddenly  jumped about 400%.  Another thing about Bangkok is if people don't really know where something is, rather than admit it they kind of point in the general direction and send you off.  We walked (painfully in my case) several blocks in one big circle, asking for directions along the way until we finally homed in on it.  The other problem is that it is called Wat In for short but appears on all maps in its full name.  After, we caught a regular cab back over to the vicinity of the Grand Palace.  Turns out you have to wear pants.  I decided to hit it the next day and went on to see Wat Pho and Wat Arun instead.  They are all close by and there's easy access from the river. 

Khoa San Road

Saturday it was the Grand Palace and then the Oriental Hotel, supposedly known for having the best service in the world.  After passing through security and by the 'No Backpackers' sign, I was less than impressed.  Later it was over to Chatuchak Market, the 'mother of all markets' as Lonely Planet puts it.  It is also listed in the things to see before you die book.  Frankly, I can do without markets like this.  Too massive. Some pretty bazaar busking though. 

On the way back to my hotel I decided to hop off the skytrain and hit the cinema at Siam Centre and see a movie.  140 baht (about $4.50) gets you a reserved seat in the front section of a gorgeous auditorium.  After a half an hour of commercials and trailers, an ad for a cell phone service provider popped up with a reminder for people to shut off their phones.  This was immediately followed by what I thought was an inordinate and laughable amount of shuffling behind me (I was seated furthest forward). I thought, geez does the entire audience have to  shut off their phones.  Another panel appeared on the screen.  It was in Thai.  I looked back and everyone was standing, except me of course.  I suddenly remembered reading somewhere that they play the national anthem or a long live the king type song before everything, including movies and that it's in incredibly bad form not stand.   I  dove to my feet.  I then politely stood until the very end of the song.  Turns out you can sit down at some point just before the end and the audience did so much more quietly than when they rose, so there I was, the last one standing.     

Standing Budha

Sunday was a planning day.  Visas are required for entry into most of the countries around here.  Vietnam's must be prearranged.  While you can do Laos and Cambodia at the borders, I am given to understand it's a little easier to have them on hand.  So I checked a couple of agencies, found a bit of a surprising difference in price, went with the one offering to do all three for a lower package price and still paid too much.  Oh well, at least it'll be done.   Each application requires two passport photos and some paperwork which they send off with you passport.  Everything will done by the end of the day on Tuesday. 

The other pressing issue is my tourist visa for Thailand is for 30 days and, "Foreigners who enter the Kingdom under the Tourist Visa Exemption category may re-enter and stay in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of first entry."  This means I have to cross a border by March 12.  The upshot is I have to decide on my route between now and then and beyond and in doing so determine whether I can hit the spots that are on my list.  I have a couple of options but the whole situation requires an intensive planning session with guidebooks over a couple of ice cold heinekens in an sidewalk bar.  All of this pretty much burned up the day but now I have a plan. 

Wat Arun

I've also checked out Chinatown, the train and bus stations and wandered a few side streets.  I walked through the famous Soi Cowboy.  I've had a couple of great Thai massages.  They really beat you up but you end up feeling pretty great after and they only cost about $8 for an hour.  Last night, David, Danielle and I wandered the Patpong Sex district for laughs.  My feet are just about better! 

I leave on Wednesday morning.  I'll be heading north.  And I am looking forward to getting out of the city.          

Long live the king