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"Twist of the ankle, heel up, heel down and a click of my toes"...my little routine on the 11th hour of my mammoth flight. I was on the second leg and starting to get paranoid about DVT. It also didn't help that I was squashed into the window by Swede Cindy and her BF who were all loved up and excited..and bringing out the green eyed monster in me. Couldn't fault either flight with Ethiad....on time, amazing service, clean, friendly staff and the most impt - a good choice of films but best part was chasing the sunrise across the horizon as we came into land. Immigration left a lot to be desired...took so long. Met by Phillip my cousin and his girlfriend Mo at the airport, was amazing to see him after around 4/5 years and then headed for the condo in central Bangkok
Mo wasn't feeling too well so we went out exploring and I got to grips with the Baht. Lunch was amazing and cheap and I had my first Thai cold coffee: tasted like coco pops milk then we headed off on the sky train to the national museum and Jim Thompsons house. He was an american who fell in love with Thailand and helped bring back traditional Thai silk making. Basically be built a house before going missing on holiday 40 odd years ago. They think he was kidnapped!
After Jim Bobs house it was time for my first Singha and a good natter and catch up with Phil - sharing childhood memories about me being a tactless traveller in France as an 7/8 year old. Hope I've changed a bit.
Most fun so far: a bike taxi. Close your ears mum if you are reading the next bit but Phil noticed I was flagging after being up for 40 hours so we jumped two bikes for the short ride back to the condo. Was an amazing feeling to be zipping through the traffic and the tuck tucks. Also had my first taste of the Thai equivalent of red bull: I had already been warned by Lad about its potency and then was back on form.
A quick turn around and then it was out for dinner and to cabbages and condoms. I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I spotted a condom lamp shade and Christmas decorations. The restaurant is actually really significant because it represents and helps fund an outreach programme set up to promote safe sex in the 70s and tackle Thailand's growing population. The founder believed contraception should be as readily available as vegetables hence the name of the project. Outreach workers went out into the villages and town and cities promoting their message.
In terms of food I was lazy again but decided to take advantage of Mo and Phil for sampling more famous Thai cuisine. The sweet mango rice was definitely the highlight - oh and if you ever go there note the after dinner mint isn't an afternoon mint! You can guess what was in the little packet handed out with the cheque.
- comments
Kate R Wow a lush start to ur adventures! Say hi to Phil!! X
Patricia Briggs OMG Madeleine ,I was reading that bit about jumping bikes back to Phil.s. So glad you arrived safe and sound.