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Published: December 15th 2005
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Arriving early morning in Bangkok i am rather tired but flush through the airport in no time. I really know most of the ins and outs of Don Muang by now and don't like the fact that the new
Suvarnabhumi Airport will open soon, especially since it will be on the southeast end of the city, the northern end suits me very well. Anyway, getting out of the airport i am about to realize that my long sleeve blue shirt probably wasn't such a good idea, since it appears to be signaling "here's the money lads". For the first time in my travels to Bangkok a taxi driver is trying to con me. He suggests a fixed price to my hotel at 300 baht where the metered ride would be less than half of it. Still, as I ask him to use the meter he does so without further discussion, and my fears of getting a city sightseeing tour are also uncalled for. My appearance is giving me more trouble at the hotel lobby, as a bellboy is suddenly pouncing on my bag, which never happened to me here before. Anyway, his efforts also prove in vain.
I am supposed to
be receiving my onward travel documents from the local representative of the travel agent here in Bangkok, and before I manage to work up any hysteria about how to achieve this the receptionist is handing over a big envelope to me. Well, that was simple! Upon closer inspection of the contents I am momentarily shocked as I see the itinerary for a Mr. and Mrs. Kessel and quickly rip open the little envelope with the plane tickets; have I been given the wrong parcel? Brilliant! A glance on the ticket and visa support letters verify that they have been issued to my name, apparently the travel agent only forgot to replace the letter header of the itinerary. Pheeew...
Being quite tired from the trip i disregard the traveller's main rule of adapting to the time zone and doze off in my hotel bed from 8 am to 4 pm before finally pushing myself to get out to purchase the film i will need for my onward trip. It has been a cloudy grey day but walking down Pradiphat road to the skytrain station i am still floored by the heat. I wish I could meet up with my old
friend Kay, it is surprising what difference one person in ten million can actually make. There's a good photography store at the MBK Centre down at Siam so I head there and stock up on plenty of film and some cheap filters. Once outside I practice a bit using the camera with my other eye, since it is my camera eye that has got the infection.
Back at Pradiphat road I grab the usual foods from the local vendors, and I really wish that I could learn at least a few more Thai phrases, as the three I know get old quite fast. Having my dinner at the room I begin to realize that I have to get up at 4 am and my internal clock is completely messed up. Nice job... I take the unusual precaution of asking for a wake up call and then try to drift into sleep.
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