Bangkok

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After a very pleasant flight we arrived in Bangkok, just after 5:30am. Once we cleared customs we caught the airport shuttle to our hotel. Although, soon after leaving the airport, we remembered that we were supposed to pick up our train tickets from an office back at the airport. We decided we would head to our hotel and venture back later. On the way we witnessed the craziness of Bangkok traffic, only to be outdone by the actions of the scooter bandits. Scooters are everywhere in Bangkok and for good reason. They cost nothing to run, they get about quickly, and finally, can and will squeeze between 2 moving buses. In our half hour bus ride, we could not believe that no one got skittled. We were dropped of by the bus at the intersection near our hotel, and headed off down Sukhumvit Soi 50 (Lane 50 off Sukhumvit road). After getting about 500m down that road, a nice young fellow asked us if we needed help. I honestly thought we were on the right track, but after he called our hotel, we found with every step we were getting further away. Fortunately we didn’t have to backtrack very far. It was only 50m from the intersection where we got dropped off.

The Imm Fusion Sukhumvit was our hotel for the night. We think that it was an older building that had been renovated very tastefully and simply. It had a beautiful and tranquil little pool in which we were very happy to unwind in, with a couple of beers of course (very cheap). For $40-50 a night, it was fantastic value.

After a quick nap we set off for a look around the area. There were stalls lining the streets and Mick had to watch his head as he kept hitting it on overhanging shop signs.

Just after lunch Mick headed back out to the airport, along the way finding out the scooters are allowed to go the wrong way down a one way road, including the freeway. This one lunatic squeezed himself between the bus and the guard rail, which would be a two feet gap at best, all while going the wrong way.

That night we met up with Koh and Kai, a guy and girl that Hayley worked closely with during our time in Jasper, Canada. We headed out for a drink in the Silom night area and Mick was mistaken for Koh’s Boyfriend. Fair enough I guess seen as we were in the gay district and our Thai friends are both gay. Everyone got a good laugh out of that one.

After a few beers, Hayley and I retired to our hotel for the night. The next morning we headed to Khao San Road, Bangkok’s, backpacker central. One of the best places to find a bargain, whether it be for cheap clothes or in our case a cheap tour. We were booking over a week in advance for the Tiger temple tour. We’ll keep you posted on that one. We didn’t spend long there, as we wanted to head back to the hotel for a leisurely afternoon before the overnight train to Chiang Mai. Once again the pool and a cold beer came into play. The overnight train to Chiang Mai was a very pleasant experience. After dinner the seats are transformed into beds for everyone to sleep on. Quite comfortable, but if you are over 6 feet tall, you can’t fully stretch out.

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Photos

Mick and Koh
Don't we look great together. Our waiter thought so.