Advertisement
Published: June 14th 2006
bangkok
in the hotel room on arrivali just got back from thailand. i was there for one week and it was great.
i started off in bangkok. i arrived at midnight, got a cab, and made it to khoa san road where my hostel was. i was told to walk down an alley and i would find it. so i start walking, and walking, thinking to myself that this alley was really desolate. by the time i reached some army gaurds with guns i figured i was on the wrong alley. so i turned back. when i got to the street i was supposed to be on, the difference was night and day. there were still tourists up wondering the streets drunk, the buildings had bright neon signs, and venders were still open selling stuff. in my defence it was one in the morning, anyone could have made that mistake.
i had a day to spend in bangkok before meeting up with luke, so i decided to see the grand palace. i had a map, saw it was in walking distance, and was on my way. however, when i got to the busy street, some thai man came up to me and asked if i
was going to the palace. i said i was fine and didn't need any help (i did not mention where i was going though). he proceeds to inform me that the palace is not open b/c its a national holiday (which was true, it was close to the kings birthday). so i just walked away before he could talking and decided to go shopping instead. it was pretty easy for me to barter, even though i knew i was still getting ripped off, so i would fight over pennies. it was fun in the begining, but after while i was sick of it. just give me a price tag and i'll pay the money. everything was cheap anyways. so my shopping was fruitfull. i then had to wait a few hours for luke to get into bangkok. so i went back to the hostel to shower (its really hot in thailand), and accidently ran into luke, which was pretty sweet. so we hung out with his friends for the rest of the evening, shopping and eating. we even went to a spa to get massages and pedicures.
the next day we saw the grand palace, and the same man
who tried to tell me it was closed was on the street again, trying to sell a similar story. the grand palace was huge, bejewelled, and crowded, but quite enjoyable to see. afterwards we went to a snake farm to see snakes get milked (where they take out the venum-for vaccine purposes, i think) and fed. most of the time involved a snake lecture, followed by snakes being brought out for us to hold. the milking and feeding took about one minute. after the snakes we went to the large mall in bangkok, mbk. this mall was huge, and a large section was set up for bartering. most of the goods were from china most likely. same same, but different.
the 2 days in thailand were enough. we had a night train to catch to get down south. but now there were 5 of us, so we needed to take 2 taxis to the train station (we had our bags as well). we finally got a cab to turn agree to a meter, but it took another 5-10 minutes to get another cab, but no one would turn on their meters. so we agreed on a price and were
on our way. we got to the train station very fast, but couldn't find the others. they showed up about 5 minutes after us. those bastard cab drivers. to make more money, the first cab took a longer, busier route. however, we made it on the train and even got some kfc for dinner.
we were on the train for about 12 hours, then had to catch a ferry for another 3 hours, but finally we made it to the island. we found a nice hotel to stay at, where they even cleaned our rooms for us. the beach was much more relaxing than bangkok. our days started around 11, with breakfest. then it was off to the beach to tan, and swim a little. after having a late lunch, we would retire for our evening nap. after waking up around 10 or 11, we would grab some dinner, then head to the beach for the party. every night was like an ourdoor rave on the beach, only the drug of choice was alcohol. we would get a mickey of whiskey, some pop and red bull for about 4$, all coming in a bucket with many straws, for sharing.
i would proceed to get wasted, dance all night, then watch the sun rise. i would go to bed around 6, then repeat. so, the first night there, i was discovered the ring of fire. basically a large hoola hoop that's on fire. i jumped through it. the first time was not so successful, however i mastered it by the second try.
we took a boat trip around the island, saw some waterfalls and a cave, and visited many empty beaches. it was a beautiful day. we went snorkelling and saw a lot of fish. sadly my camera is not an underwater camera, so pictures of that. we ate lunch on a beach, and continued to travel around the island. we had initially been informed that all the boat trips served weed, but ours happened to not be one of them. i think the reggae tour may have been the only one with such services, and since there is no music on any of the boats, the reggae must imply something else.
my last night was quite fun. i drank and danced and saw the sun rise, yet again. i was a hero and a comic. so for
background, do you know what a lady boy is? for those who don't, its a thai man, that dresses up as a woman, and pretty much becomes one in every aspect. due to modern medicine, it is hard to tell who these lady boys are. the distinguishing charateristics are: wide shoulders, narrow hips, an adams apple. however, some of these men are really hot women, and after a few drinks, i would have a lot of trouble distinguishing. so, we see a young guy with one of these lady boys (who i suppose are also hookers). hes totally drunk, and seems to be enjoying his time with his new friend. alas, he does not know she is really a man. we see him for about an hour flirty with, and being led by the hand all over the beach. as i ponder whether i should tell him about the 'woman' hes with, i notice them kissing, and my desicion has been made. for fear of being beaten up by the the lady boy and her friends, i wait till her back is turned. i slide on in, pat the guy on the shoulder, and simply say, 'the woman you're with
bangkok
notice the broken glass as security is probably a man. check out the wide shoulders, narrow hips and adams apple. have a good night my friend.' and like lightning, i am gone. i stand back to see what he does. the guy is pondering my words with fingers on chin. it takes him about 30 seconds for it to sink in and following my suite, he is gone, like lightning. thee only other event unfolding that night was the idea to place straws in peoples cracks whose shorts were riding too low. i was surprised by the positive response i got.
the next day i was able to sun tan, but then had to pack up my stuff and catch the last ferry to koh samui where i could fly from back to bangkok. since my flight from bangkok was at 6 in the monrning, i had to fly there the evening before. i decided to sleep at the airport. after many uncomfortable chairs, i discovered the oh so comfy ground, and passed out. i awake sometime shortly after 5 and panicked, as i had not yet checked in for my flight. as i was checking in, my flight was boarding. good thing it was
bangkok
how i missed this, i don't know 5 in the morning, and the airport was not busy. i made it just in time to the flight. since my nights sleep had been, well, crap, i was able to sleep the whole flight back to japan. i then slept the whole 3 hour bus ride back to my city. and here i sit, typing now, thinking of home and how much i miss it. seeing my brother made me realize how much i miss vancouver. i was actually crying as i left on the ferry away from the relaxed island were my one piece of home was, and thats when i realized that i'm a little home sick. the crying may also have been b/c i was leaving a beautiful island to go back to working all week.
that was my far too short week in thailand. i am sure i will be going there again at some point in my life. one week was by far not long enough.
take care,
anni
Advertisement
Tot: 0.099s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 11; qc: 49; dbt: 0.0448s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
kevin
non-member comment
amazing story.it will help me to thailand next time.