Bangkok Baby!

21st February - Bangkok Baby!!!

Well, what can I say? We've arrived! The first noticable difference was the massive rise in temperature and humidity and it was a welcome one. After touching down at 4.30pm we left the airport in search of transport to Banglamphu (the backpacker area of Bangkok where we intended to stay.) We were met by numerous taxi drivers offering us a ride but were then approached by a man who spoke good English and explained we should not be paying over 400 Baht to get to our destination. He then offered to find us a good driver and we followed him out of the main airport taxi area. As he took us further away we decided not to bother as it seemed a little dodgy so when his head was turned...we made a run for it!

We then jumped on the main shuttle bus and arrived in Banglamphu an hour later. With all our bags weighing us down we were feeling it. As we made our way to Th Khao San (the main street) we were met by a road block and many people were standing out on the streets. After speaking to an English couple we were told the Thai Queen was in town! After waiting for half an hour we became a little impatient and decided to go in search of accommodation. The hustle and bustle of Th Khao San was amazing. With street sellers selling clothes/jewellery/watches/sunglasses and food everywhere it was pretty overwhelming. We checked ourselves into a nice guesthouse off in a little side street and after a quick turn around we were back on the street for banana pancakes.

22nd February - The Day Of The Tuk-Tuk....

It was 11.30...the temperature was 30C...and still rising! We walked back on to Th Khao San for a proper look around where we had some fun putting the bartering skills that we had learned in China into action. Managed to grab a few bargains! After lunch at the reknowned backpacker restaurant Gullivers Tavern we came to a decision...we were going to ride on a Tuk-Tuk! With the drivers hastling us all morning James had made friends with one guy who had offered to take us all on a trip round the city for 1 baht EACH! (about 5p). With James and Rick in one and Jonathon Muc and I in the other we were off! It was great fun as we zipped through the traffic. During the trip we stopped off at The Big Bhudda, a temple and the Golden Mount which allowed for some impressive views over Bangkok. The main piece of advice we had been given before coming to Thailand was that if we wanted to get anywhere fast...don't ride in a Tuk Tuk. This is definitely the case as during the trip the drivers like to take you to 'very nice tailored suit factories'...(their mates shops where they gain commission if you buy anything). We visited two tailor shops where we had a great laugh pretending we were interested in buying suits (although the prices were really good we really couldn't take one with us). When returning to the Tuk Tuks empty handed the drivers were a little disappointed.

Finally, at the Golden Mount, we came to the bottom after taking in the views to find the drivers had deserted us. Not too much of a problem as we hadn't paid anything. We managed to hustle another driver down to taking all 5 of us! This was a squash and many other drivers pointed and laughed at us. One other driver behind us even pulled a few wheelies!

In the evening we had been invited to a party by a the owner of our guesthouse. It began on the street where there were a great mix of people. Due to election day tomorrow nowhere was allowed to sell any alcohol other than Whisky (this speaks for itself). I was challenged to a thumb war by a little girl (must have been about 8) selling roses where there was a wager of 40 baht. I gladly accepted and with an American lady acting as referee we began...within seconds I lost . The rest of the guys all went the same way. Eventually we had to move off the street and into a private bar where we carried on way into the night. Great night had by all!

23rd February - Down The River (In More Ways Than One!)

Today we set our sights for the river and after eating on Th Khao San we bartered with two tuck tuck drivers, managing to get a ride to the pier for 2 baht each! We then set off on another white knuckle ride through the busy streets of Bagkok to the pier where the boats depart from. Again some more bartering came into play when we negotiated an hour boat journey down the river. The boat was one of the traditional longboats and we were the only passengers! Setting off, it seemed our driver fancied himself as a bit of a Lewis Hamilton on water as he revved the engine to full speed...over the waves! After a little while we cut off the main river down one of the side rivers...this was what I had expected to see. Each side of the narrow river were shacks built out of everything and anything, set back against the greenery. As we moved on we saw children playing in the river (not something I would have fancied myself!) They all waved as we passed. We stopped for a while when we were approached by several women paddling their boats selling cold beers and various other tourist bits and bobs. We carried on and eventually came back to the main river where a huge temple could be seen on the other side. It was here we docked and left the boat (intially we had thought it to be a round trip, returning to where we had set off - this was obviously not the case! - but not a major problem) On leaving the boat we had to also pay a docking fee (one which we thought should have been included in the price) Finally, after some discussion, we reached land.

It was here we were met by a large market/ food stall area selling lots of fresh fruit and traditional Thai dishes at fractional prices...heaven! We sat down and enjoyed our first truely traditional Thai meal.

After walking down the street we realised we would have to get a lift back to our guesthouse. Again we bartered with a tuk tuk driver, who wanted to make sure we had suits, rings and our onward travel all booked (obviously he would gain commission from anywhere he managed to take us). We said that just a direct trip back to our hostel would do...of course...it wasn't that easy! We made off in a completely different direction and the driver said we would be making one stop as he would be able to collect free petrol. With all 5 of us in the back it was a major crush but we arrived, did our best to look interested in the pearls and jewellery on offer, then left. As we came back to the tuk tuk empty handed the driver informed us we would be going elsewhere! Tired of the constant detours we left and jumped in a taxi...safely home!

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Photos to come...this computer is just realllllly bad!

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