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Bangkok definately is the city that never sleeps. Been here 3 days now and already had about 10 nesr death experiences...most on the first day! By the time i got through customs and made my way to my guesthouse dusk was already setting in at 6 o'clock. Can't believe how quickly it gets dark here. Dumped my stuff, got a map and went a wander to find the infamous Khoa San Road. Didn't quite go to plan....think i walked round the same block 4 times...they all look the same. Hustle and bustle from the night markets, pungent smell of fish and fruit, thai's shouting and bargaining, tuk-tuk drivers trying to pull you aside, cars, bikes, rickshaws shooting about everywhere. They do have traffic lights here but no one really pays attention. You just have to close your eyes, run and hope for the best... and this isn't just across the sides streets...4 lane main roads! Mental.
After about 45 minutes of wandering and getting nowhere desided to head back to hotel, get something to eat and go to bed. Was shattered after the 2 day journey. Pizza and a coke...how original!
Guesthouse ok...basic but clean. Got aircom, hot water, tv and balcony. For all the time i'll spend here its good enough...and only 10 pounds a night (with brekky inc).
Day 2 found Khao San Road....yeah! Only 3 streets away from me...think i'd been walking the opposite direction. How am i going to manage travelling on my own for 10 months when i cant even find the busiest and noisest street in the world when its only around the corner :-)
It's exactly what you see on tv....and louder. Fab tho. The street isn't as long as i initially thought but it is buzzing even at 10 in the morning. Met 2 scottish guys who were just arriving and actually staying on the Kho San...they were just in awe! Not tried any deep fried spider yet but have had some satay, pork, noodle and rice soup & squid from the street markets. Bit mad but at least you can see what they're cooking! Went to a really cool street restuarant the other night...really basic...out in the street with a canopy over the 6 tables and chairs but the food was out of this world. Was even caught in my first monsoon. The whole place got soaked but they continued to cook and serve... totally fantastic.
Was in my first and last tuk tuk today. Never again. Glad i done it but thought in the whole 40 minutes i was in it i was going to die at least 6 times. They really dont care...just dive in and out of the traffic....drive towards people on the road....glad i made it alive. (a Tuk Tuk is the wee 3 wheeled thing in the pic)
So far visited the Grand Palace, Lucky Buddha, Siam Park, Democracy Monument along the Khlong and a few other temples. Trully are magnificent in decor, design, architecture, colour... unbelieveable. Even got my pic taken with some young monks! Def would like to find out more on the Buddhist religion. Here in Bangkok it comes from Chinese Buddhism but in Chaing Mai in the north its from Hindu Buddhism which i think will be quite interesting.
Anyway, Heading for the overnight train tonight for Chaing Mai. 14 hour journey which i'm sure will definately be an experience. Apparantly the seats turn into the beds and there are no seperate carriages....everyone sleeps in the same carriage. I'll need to use my powers of persuasion for a bottom bunk. The top ones are supposed to be tiny with you basically breathing onto the roof....no where to sit up or even roll over! What luxury I'm living in! Love it,
Anyway, i'll try get my pics uploaded as soon as poss as i'm sure it must be boring reading all this with no visual evidence! For all you know i could be in China Town in London ha ha! Spending the next few days in Chaing Mai before heading back to Bangkok for the weekend so prob wont be getting signals or near internet cafes aas i'm in the north and going trekking through the jungle with hilltribes...can't wait.
Bye for now
Cxx
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