I've been here for just under a week now but I still feel as though I just stepped off the plane. Bangkok, with its dizzying array of taxi's, Tuk-Tuks, and traffic jams can make even the most seasoned of travels a little intimidated. It's inhabitants, 7.5 million strong, are always moving with its highways and skytrains, its boat ferries and subways, someone is always going somewhere. The city does not sleep. You can walk out of your hostel at any time day or night and find a crowd of people, tourists and locals, milling about. Furthermore, I have never seen a place with more stuff: Trinkets, cars, clothes, food, shops. Every street seems to be flooded with traffic and proprietors. You can't walk five feet without being approached by a salesman trying to sell you a tailored suit or a nock off North Face backpack. On every corner there are Tuk-Tuk drivers (small motorbike taxi's) trying to take you to Patpong for their infamous Ping-Pong and sex shows. Yeah, I have to admit I was a little intimidated. But, not wanting to waist any time, I dove right in.
I met up with my Australian friend near Ko Shan Rd. a Mecca of sorts for traveling backpackers. Lined with restaurants and shops this half-mile stretch has something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quite veranda to get a traditional Thai massage or a techno-pumping nightclub boasting cheap drinks, you'll find it in this area. Most of the "guest houses" you'll find here are basic but affordable. I think we paid $180 Baht a night for our little nook (that's about $4 USD for the both of us). Food is even cheaper, and much more rewarding. Don't expect to pay more than $10 for a nice two-course meal with beer and bottled water included. You can also find some great bargains in the open-air weekend markets if you can stomach walking around in the sweltering heat with about 50,000 other treasure seekers.
Just across the highway from Ko Shan is the famous Bangkok Palace. We wandered over there to try and take a tour but it was closed for the King’s birthday. Now, while we wouldn't consider president’s day anything special, the king's birthday for the Thai people is a reason for celebration. Considered the 'Father of Thailand' the king is revered among ALL Thai people.
And in reverence for their king they take off work on this day to pay homage to their royalty, by getting really, really drunk. As we walked though the place square we were engulfed in a sea of happy inebriated locals, about 750,000 of them. It was fun to watch but after a while we noticed we where the only farangs (whities) around, and, after a while, they noticed too. Some of the teenagers told us in Thai that it might be a good idea if we left. I don't speak Thai and I don't think those were the words they used, but we read between the lines. We went back to a friend’s house in downtown and watched the fireworks from her rooftop. The pyrotechnics went on long into the night, as did they parting.We've taken a trip down to Ko Samet, a small island just off the east coast. It's a welcome reprieve from the big city bustle of Bangkok and we are inclined to say here for a few days and relax before we meet up with the rest of my friends arriving in Bangkok over the weekend. From there we'll travel north to Chang Mai and explore the jungle's up there.
That's all for now.
TTFN
-Scott
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