Finally in Thailand - Jan 3rd to Jan 6th
The trek from Vancouver to Bangkok took roughly 27/28hrs door to door (leaving the apartment to getting to the Guesthouse).
The travel time was a bit messed up mainly due to the fact that all three connecting flights (from Van to San Francisco; San Fran to Tokyo; Tokyo to Bangkok) were all delayed...ugh...Dan and I were wrecked when we arrived (early morning on the 5th; around 1am...good thing the Guesthouse was open 24hrs).
At least the food wasn't too bad on the flights...well, for airplane food anyway...
When we were leaving Bangkok airport, neither Dan nor I could find any bank machines. Luckily I had $60CDN on me to convert at the money exchangers for the cab ride to the Guesthouse.
I'll say this much; the Taxi companies are aggressive! There were like 5 booths for Taxis trying to sign people up. These are the limos themselves and charge roughly about 600 - 650BHT to get us to where we wanted to go. Dan and I grabbed the metered Taxi's by lining up outside in a queue and got to the Guesthouse for 250BHT (I think this was about $6-$10CDN; super cheap).
The Taxi driver was funny; big smile on his face and all he could say was 'Happy New Year'. "Happy New Year M'ita. Happy New Year Bangkok, yeah?!". We wished him well in return.
He'd smile at us too as Dan and I would say "WOOOAHH!!!" as we say 2 or 3 wrecked cars on the highway over. Posted limit is 60KPH and everyone drives at least 120KPH.
We got to the KT Guesthouse (http://www.ktguesthouse.com) and got separate rooms. After such a long trip, this place was a welcome site. Thanks for recommending this Roberta - this place is nice and I consider it a palace for how much I'm paying. So far I'm living like a king and I've hardly spent much on accommodation.
It's freakin' warm here too - 27 degrees Celsius when we landed and it's humid. No need for a jacket. It's supposed to be the dry season; glad we didn't come during our Summer 'cause I is cooking...
The guesthouse is a fair distance from Koh San Road. It's actually quite far; we'd need to take the subway and then a Taxi to get there. That's ok, we're in Bangkok several times and can figure out staying closer to hang with fellow back packers the next few times we're here.
One thing I learned about the Guesthouse and about travel information in general. Map directions are more like general guidelines than anything precise. Be prepared to hunt around. Dan and I spent a good hour looking for the subway which should have taken 15-20mins to walk to...that and we got lost coming back....all in fun though...
That said, the morning of the 5th, Dan and I took the subway and skytrain to Siam Square. We ended up in a ritzy part of town as when we got off the train, we walked straight into a mall and saw a Lamborghini for sale. I got some pics.
We walked around and started to make our way to the MBK mall (I think that is what it is called). Along the way, we ran into a helpful chap that directed us to some factory shops that make custom tailored suits (we're talking Armani, Gucci, Bulgari....I thought Bulgari only made watches and stuff but guess they're the Mitsubishi of flash); a place called 'Manhattan'. Vik/Kumar - this is high end stuff....like Super 100 - 140 fabric. Even got some top coats made out of Camel hair. I blew my entire travel wad at this place. It was the first place I've seen that had East-Indians working there; they were all Indian. I think it's because of this that I may have gotten a better price. I thought these guys were going to bust out the Indian sweets and Chai tea as we were all laughing and joking around. Dan got stuffed on pop and fruit instead as I shopped. At least I got a deal though...that or they were working me over; doesn't matter, I got some great gear and am going to look DEAD SEXY!! "I'm a model, know what I mean? 'Cause I shake my little tush on the catwalk..."...hahaha...I'm kidding of course...but what ever happen to 'Right Said Fred' after he wrote the Model song?? One hit wonder I guess. For those of you that know me, you know that I usually dress for comfort first and looks second. I might just change my game a bit once I get back home with all the new threads....then again.....
After the tailors, Dan and I went back to the MBK mall to get some more looking around and shopping done (it was Dan's turn now to shop...I think he actually parted with $10CDN...). It was sensory overload; Metrotown and Pacific Center combined with shops and stalls with clothing, electronics, bobbles, etc.. for sale. Almost dizzying! I was spun around. Tonnes of people too...from locals to tourists all looking at the deals and haggling...
Afterwards we went to go see Jim Thompsons house. Recall now, this is still during our first full day here - Jan 5th! Jim Thompson was an entrepreneur in the 30's - 60's and revitalized the silk industry. This place was kewl and I got some wicked snaps. This was a good call on Dan for coming here. After the mall, we were both feeling a little frazzled...at least I was, maybe I shouldn't talk for Dan. At the house, the pace changed dramatically. It was calm; right along a river and all we could hear were other people quietly chatting, walking around the gardens, or having a light snack at the concession area (which was an old covered patio which was once part of the house and it sat right next to a pond full of fish). This place was....Tranquil. Yes, I said tranquil...I've picked up a thesaurus once or twice before....
That said, the first day in Bangkok has been amazing. There is a cacophony of smells and colors from the sweet and bright to the putrid and gaudy. It's a mix of chaos and uniqueness all in one go.
Quotes of the day:
1. Don't trust a man that says "Trust me"! A Taxi driver doesn't really know where he is going if he keeps looking at a map and scratches his head repeatedly.
2. "We're not taking a Tuk-Tuk!!". I said this to Dan as we witnessed a collision; a Tuk-Tuk is essentially an open motorcycle. With the rules of the road (there are nor rules of the road), people are super aggressive in Bangkok and someone is at one time or another going to hit someone else. At least in a Taxi we'd be protected by a cage.
On the 6th...today, Dan and I took it easy in the morning as we were to fly to Chiang Mai in the afternoon. The flight was uneventful (Taxi is actually cheaper getting to the airport by 100BHT) but it was also delayed by an hour. That makes 4 flights in a row that were delayed...at least we're batting 100 on the flight times...
We got to the Libra Guesthouse...they actually picked us up and right away Dan and I felt good about this place. So far Chiang Mai is ultra-chill!! The guys that picked us up from the airport were nice enough...once was a he-she. When I got a key to our room, the he-she asked what room I was in. I wasn't paying attention when he said "I'll see you tonight". I said..."ok, sounds good"...he freaked... He went, "I thought you would go running back to Canada". I laughed and clarified I wasn't listening. "Dude, I don't play that way but if you want to hang and show us around town or something...whatever...". Dan got a hilarious pic of him posing with me when Dan and I came back to the restaurant area to grab some lunch...check out his blog for the pic.
Tomorrow we head off for a 2 day trek that includes rafting (that'll be good for me considering I can't swim...), an elephant ride, hiking around, and camping in the jungle. Tonight we're going to hit the night market and will be back in time on Sunday to check out the Sunday night market (this is where the towns folk shut down a 2KM stretch of road in the old city, where we are, to open up stalls and sell stuff...I have a feeling my already spent budget is going to hit rock bottom...and I'm on day 2....).
Harvey
The travel time was a bit messed up mainly due to the fact that all three connecting flights (from Van to San Francisco; San Fran to Tokyo; Tokyo to Bangkok) were all delayed...ugh...Dan and I were wrecked when we arrived (early morning on the 5th; around 1am...good thing the Guesthouse was open 24hrs).
At least the food wasn't too bad on the flights...well, for airplane food anyway...
When we were leaving Bangkok airport, neither Dan nor I could find any bank machines. Luckily I had $60CDN on me to convert at the money exchangers for the cab ride to the Guesthouse.
I'll say this much; the Taxi companies are aggressive! There were like 5 booths for Taxis trying to sign people up. These are the limos themselves and charge roughly about 600 - 650BHT to get us to where we wanted to go. Dan and I grabbed the metered Taxi's by lining up outside in a queue and got to the Guesthouse for 250BHT (I think this was about $6-$10CDN; super cheap).
The Taxi driver was funny; big smile on his face and all he could say was 'Happy New Year'. "Happy New Year M'ita. Happy New Year Bangkok, yeah?!". We wished him well in return.
He'd smile at us too as Dan and I would say "WOOOAHH!!!" as we say 2 or 3 wrecked cars on the highway over. Posted limit is 60KPH and everyone drives at least 120KPH.
We got to the KT Guesthouse (http://www.ktguesthouse.com) and got separate rooms. After such a long trip, this place was a welcome site. Thanks for recommending this Roberta - this place is nice and I consider it a palace for how much I'm paying. So far I'm living like a king and I've hardly spent much on accommodation.
It's freakin' warm here too - 27 degrees Celsius when we landed and it's humid. No need for a jacket. It's supposed to be the dry season; glad we didn't come during our Summer 'cause I is cooking...
The guesthouse is a fair distance from Koh San Road. It's actually quite far; we'd need to take the subway and then a Taxi to get there. That's ok, we're in Bangkok several times and can figure out staying closer to hang with fellow back packers the next few times we're here.
One thing I learned about the Guesthouse and about travel information in general. Map directions are more like general guidelines than anything precise. Be prepared to hunt around. Dan and I spent a good hour looking for the subway which should have taken 15-20mins to walk to...that and we got lost coming back....all in fun though...
That said, the morning of the 5th, Dan and I took the subway and skytrain to Siam Square. We ended up in a ritzy part of town as when we got off the train, we walked straight into a mall and saw a Lamborghini for sale. I got some pics.
We walked around and started to make our way to the MBK mall (I think that is what it is called). Along the way, we ran into a helpful chap that directed us to some factory shops that make custom tailored suits (we're talking Armani, Gucci, Bulgari....I thought Bulgari only made watches and stuff but guess they're the Mitsubishi of flash); a place called 'Manhattan'. Vik/Kumar - this is high end stuff....like Super 100 - 140 fabric. Even got some top coats made out of Camel hair. I blew my entire travel wad at this place. It was the first place I've seen that had East-Indians working there; they were all Indian. I think it's because of this that I may have gotten a better price. I thought these guys were going to bust out the Indian sweets and Chai tea as we were all laughing and joking around. Dan got stuffed on pop and fruit instead as I shopped. At least I got a deal though...that or they were working me over; doesn't matter, I got some great gear and am going to look DEAD SEXY!! "I'm a model, know what I mean? 'Cause I shake my little tush on the catwalk..."...hahaha...I'm kidding of course...but what ever happen to 'Right Said Fred' after he wrote the Model song?? One hit wonder I guess. For those of you that know me, you know that I usually dress for comfort first and looks second. I might just change my game a bit once I get back home with all the new threads....then again.....
After the tailors, Dan and I went back to the MBK mall to get some more looking around and shopping done (it was Dan's turn now to shop...I think he actually parted with $10CDN...). It was sensory overload; Metrotown and Pacific Center combined with shops and stalls with clothing, electronics, bobbles, etc.. for sale. Almost dizzying! I was spun around. Tonnes of people too...from locals to tourists all looking at the deals and haggling...
Afterwards we went to go see Jim Thompsons house. Recall now, this is still during our first full day here - Jan 5th! Jim Thompson was an entrepreneur in the 30's - 60's and revitalized the silk industry. This place was kewl and I got some wicked snaps. This was a good call on Dan for coming here. After the mall, we were both feeling a little frazzled...at least I was, maybe I shouldn't talk for Dan. At the house, the pace changed dramatically. It was calm; right along a river and all we could hear were other people quietly chatting, walking around the gardens, or having a light snack at the concession area (which was an old covered patio which was once part of the house and it sat right next to a pond full of fish). This place was....Tranquil. Yes, I said tranquil...I've picked up a thesaurus once or twice before....
That said, the first day in Bangkok has been amazing. There is a cacophony of smells and colors from the sweet and bright to the putrid and gaudy. It's a mix of chaos and uniqueness all in one go.
Quotes of the day:
1. Don't trust a man that says "Trust me"! A Taxi driver doesn't really know where he is going if he keeps looking at a map and scratches his head repeatedly.
2. "We're not taking a Tuk-Tuk!!". I said this to Dan as we witnessed a collision; a Tuk-Tuk is essentially an open motorcycle. With the rules of the road (there are nor rules of the road), people are super aggressive in Bangkok and someone is at one time or another going to hit someone else. At least in a Taxi we'd be protected by a cage.
On the 6th...today, Dan and I took it easy in the morning as we were to fly to Chiang Mai in the afternoon. The flight was uneventful (Taxi is actually cheaper getting to the airport by 100BHT) but it was also delayed by an hour. That makes 4 flights in a row that were delayed...at least we're batting 100 on the flight times...
We got to the Libra Guesthouse...they actually picked us up and right away Dan and I felt good about this place. So far Chiang Mai is ultra-chill!! The guys that picked us up from the airport were nice enough...once was a he-she. When I got a key to our room, the he-she asked what room I was in. I wasn't paying attention when he said "I'll see you tonight". I said..."ok, sounds good"...he freaked... He went, "I thought you would go running back to Canada". I laughed and clarified I wasn't listening. "Dude, I don't play that way but if you want to hang and show us around town or something...whatever...". Dan got a hilarious pic of him posing with me when Dan and I came back to the restaurant area to grab some lunch...check out his blog for the pic.
Tomorrow we head off for a 2 day trek that includes rafting (that'll be good for me considering I can't swim...), an elephant ride, hiking around, and camping in the jungle. Tonight we're going to hit the night market and will be back in time on Sunday to check out the Sunday night market (this is where the towns folk shut down a 2KM stretch of road in the old city, where we are, to open up stalls and sell stuff...I have a feeling my already spent budget is going to hit rock bottom...and I'm on day 2....).
Harvey
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