Bangkok (Jan-Mar 14)

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Yes I know it's been some three months since I left you hanging, back in my Southern China escapade. Well, it does seem like an eternity has passed, but since then I'd returned back home to Singapore for about a month, then headed back up again to my de facto second home in Bangkok once more. I've been here since the start of the year, for another two-month's worth of Thai classes, my fourth stint here since I started on my now almost-two year adventure. The past few months in Bangkok have of course been eventful, thanks to the protests (so what's new?) which saw several major intersections closed and blocked for several months. Notwithstanding the almost daily sniper and grenade attacks at the protest sites during a few particularly tense periods, which resulted in several dozen deaths and many more injuries in total, the danger was probably somewhat exaggerated by the foreign media. For the denizens of Bangkok, apart from some traffic inconveniences, and early shopping mall closures, it was pretty much business as usual, as long as one kept his wits, and a safe distance from the danger areas as far as possible.

And so, as comfortable as I've grown living here in the City of Angels, or Venice of the East, whichever romanticized moniker you wish to bestow on this royal capital, I constantly remind myself of the larger plan I have, which of course entails trying to cover some of the other major areas in Southeast Asia that I still haven't seen. To that end, as my fourth stint here comes to an end, I prepare once again to hit the road, returning to the sporadically nomadic life that I've now almost become fully-accustomed to. This time though, as the clock on my adventure ticks rapidly towards the two year mark (I'd started in May 2012 after all), I can't help but start to think also that perhaps I might now be closer to the end than the beginning. But as much time as I could spend reminiscing the details of my travels so far, I think I shall save that for another time. For now, the journey continues, and you'll be seeing more of me once again soon, as I re-commence more regular updates of this blog for the next (and final...?) leg of my adventure.

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Photos

"The Whistle Group"
Loosely translated from Thai, the group symbolized by the whistles they constantly blew, in protest against the supposed corruption, nepotism, incompetence, disrespect towards the monarch, and all other things bad you can imagine, that they claim to be endemic in the incumbent government.

Gnidart Gnaihc Nan?
I couldn't help but be thoroughly tickled by this. No, there was no need for any use of mirrors in this trick. This Chinese tour bus thinks that because the Chinese language is traditionally written from right to left, the same applies to other languages too.

Look closer
They're all Dudes!
Not! Haha just kidding. Really.
I guess you can never be too sure here in BKK.

Best Cheap Coffee with Fresh Milk in BKK
Right in front of the language school I attend. THB25, with ice.

Thonglor Fruit Cat still alive and kicking
Notwithstanding its obvious obesity issues. No, mango and durian diet is NOT a diet!

Thai Street Fried Fishcakes
Ok Yk, they're Thai after all.

I wish I had a better camera
There's a cat somewhere there playing with a mouse, here in this dingy alley. It was Soi Nana, after all.

Thonglor Cat Cafe
Cool new discovery! And apparently there are several of these scattered around the city. And I heard there's one opening back home in Singapore too. Is this the new bubble tea?

Yea I cut my hair
It was Chinese New Year and I paid a visit to my grandma in Penang. There's only so much shock she can withstand at here advanced age, and I didn't want to compromise my chances with the red packets either. After all, which conservative, traditional Chinese uncle/ auntie gives a generous ang pao to a long-haired, hobo nephew?

Thonglor Pet Barber
Always an amusing sight each time I walk past.

Comments

[Mikko Leon]

Luvuu
Really nice Thailand Holiday Destination

[piranha27]

Thanks, glad you like the blogs and photos. There'll be more to come! Happy travels!