Once packed I grab the free breakfast. Check out and get the taxi to the airport. It takes ages getting through immigration. Weird to be back in Bangkok even if only for a transfer. The internal connecting airport lounge is a salute to the corporate west - McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Starbucks. This is what Vietnam has in store for it in 10 years. A slim nation replaced with a spotty fat one. I get my flight to Bangkok and transfer to Phuket.
I turn up at the hostel, quite a cool place (The Oddy) run by an Italian called Caesar. I get speaking to a Dutch guy giving some pearls from my trip. I.e. Sapa! I get speaking to a Russian guy who has the DTs. Face bloodied and doesn't look well at all. I head out looking for Bangra street where the bars are. I end up in hell, a shopping centre like Singapore with the evil clown Ronald everywhere. I meet a couple of Kiwis and they show me the main bar street. I'm offered ping pong shows every 2 seconds. I can only presume Thais are keen table tennis players. Thailand has changed and not for the better. Vietnam had better watch out.
I find a bar with live music which suits me. A funk band and they are pretty good. A bit of Jamariqui and some good banter. 2 guitarists, a keyboardist, 2 male vocalists and a female vocalist on tamborine. An improvement on touts and bloody ping pong shows. It's called the Monsoon bar and a highlight so far. A good band lifts your soul(LT)
I try another normal bar called the Shipwreck bar and lsten to the Killers singing through the speakers. This is a crazy town if you are want. I'd settle for a good conversation.