First day we did and saw almost everything there is to do and see in Bangkok. After a, long overdue, sound night of sleep on the stiffest bed in the world . . . we kicked off our day with a delicious vegan breakfast, compliments of our very upscale (to Thailand standards) hotel.
SIDE NOTE: All of the food here is just as flavorfull and aromatic as we hoped it would be. We may have had reservations about eating certain items, but it's so worth trying new things.
We began the day's adventure with our first tuk tuk ride. The driver was being very difficult because he wanted to take us arould to different jewelry shops. All of the tuk tuk drivers have contracts with tailor and jewelry shops, to bring tourists there in trade for free gas. After much debate with Todd, the driver wouldn't address me, he conviced him to take us to Kaoh San Road. Kaoh San is the backpacker mecca of Bangkok. A long narrow road litered with street vendors, neon signs, beer gardens, guesthouses, blarring music and young foreigners. Score!!! We walked up and down and through as many allies and sidestreets we could find. We came across and spa called Angela Beauty!!! The girls that worked there loved me. :) As we wandered towards central Bangkok, we saw a temple to check out. But a local man stopped us just as we walked through the gates because, first I needed to be completely covered and secondly, the King was there celebrating his upcoming 81st birthday. This very kind gentlemen proceeded to list off many other temples and sights for us to see. He hooked us up with another tuk tuk driver and told him we would only pay 20 Baht (about $.80 US) for the entire tour. This was a huge deal, as many drivers would have charged us 200 Baht (about $5.50 US). Our new driver's name was AT and he quickly became our bestest friend and spent the next two days with us. (We miss you AT!) He took us to a government issued travel agency, where we met with a lovely Thai lady that helped us assemble our travel itinerary for the next two months! It was awesome! Our trip now consistes of us traveling to nine different cities and islands in Thailand. Everything came at a discounted price due to the fact that it was a holiday. Loy Krathong(Loi Kratong) is a festival held on the night of Novemeber 12th where Thais symbolicly release their "wrong doings" to the gods. They construct mini boats out of banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense and then set them afloat down a river. The government and large corporations make life size versions of these and parade them down the main river while fireworks errupt in the sky above. The whole city was buzzing about this event and I was soooooooo excited to see. Unfortunately, later we had seen so much of Bangkok that we didn't make it to the festival. . . .I was very bummed and have vowed never to give up another opportunity like that to the "sleepies".
You would think that after all of that sightseeing we would be ready to head to the hotel. But not us! We said good night to AT and planned to meet him again the next morning bright and early for another adventure filled day. Todd and I then braved the oversized MBK super mall. It's exactly what you think it would be. Too many of the same shops and young teeny boppers jammed into a loud and bright neon building resembling an ant farm. We got out as soon as we could find the nearest door. Although, not before we stopped for a quick bowl of yummy Tom Kar Kung soup, Todd's favorite.
The next morning we met up with AT again and immediately jumped into smoggy traffic. Most of this day was spent shopping in the Pratunam District. Pratunam is where the locals buy wholesale and retail at "local" prices. Todd and I had our first Thai foot massage and attempted to haggle with some merchants, but we were very quickly laughed out of the stores.
We found out that he was the same age as us, we learned all about his girlfriend he taught us some general Thai to speak. He thought Todd was so funny. We all had very sad faces as we parted ways. Todd and I ended that night with more night shopping and Thai beer, back at the hotel.
Tomorrow we leave, bright and early, for Chang Mai. That is in the northern part of Thailand. There we will take a guided trekk through a national forrest by way of elephant. Can't wait! But before all of that, Todd and I decided to give Kaoh San Road another go. We spent our entire day haggling (very successfully) for clothes and goodies and also ran into a fellow Alaskan couple from Ketchikan. Small world, right!? Then we sat outside at Siam Oriental and enjoyed a Singha beer and a banana pancake while chatting with an Australian couple. They were on their honeymoon and had lots of advice for exploring this place. After that, we scouted out guesthouses for two of our close friends who will be joining us on the last leg of our trip. Sheron and Will: wait till you see this place! It is now Friday night, we are relaxing in our room with 4 pieces of fried chicken, 2 ears of salted corn, and 3 large Singha beers from a street vendor, all for under 100B. (Todd wanted to make sure you all now how much food he got for such little cost.)
Bangkok has been very good to us but I wouldn't recommend more than two days here. It is so busy and too smoggy. We are ready for the jungle!
7 comments:
hey sexy im so jealous! you look like your having so much fun! cant wait to see more pics! looovvvee you
Love reading about your adventures.
I'm getting greener and greener and it is not a good color for me. Says your Dad.
More pictures.
Love you
Mom and Dad
The updates are great. I read online about this "great cloud" of smog that is endangering the asia-pacific region, run from it! The food details are great! I'm there with you guys!
i love you two! glad you're having a blasty blast!
oh fun times!!!
Thanks for the updates, keep them coming. I'm glad you guys are having a great time!!!!
Love -- Kristin
Ahhhhhhhh, dang you two, sounds like loads of fun. Keep those posts & pics comin', cuz we're all green with envy,.... XOXO Sandy & Leiane
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