Bangkok and Homeward Bound

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Bangkok and homeward bound, 3rd to 6th June 2010

It was early evening when we stepped off the bus into the busy, dirty and chaotic streets of Bangkok. There is definitely something about Bangkok that captivates the weary traveller, maybe it’s the oriental charm or the fact that the city really never sleeps, whatever it is, it captured me the same this time around as it had done the first time I came to the city 5 years ago.

When we had briefly passed through Bangkok a few weeks ago we had checked out a few hotels in order to save the leg work this time around. However, the bus had dropped us off in a different place to what we had been expecting so we were a little disorientated at first. But after a few walks up and down the same street and having declined the offer of some real gemstone jewellery at ‘best prices’ we got our bearings and meandered our way through the streets of Bangkok to our hotel which would be the final one of the trip. It felt strange to be counting down the last few days of our trip like this. It didn’t really seem real that we are heading home even though we’ve been planning it for weeks. The room at the hotel was a little smaller than we’d remembered it but it was only a place to rest our heads so would be fine.

That evening was spent on Khao San Road absorbing our surroundings and deciding what we wanted to purchase before going home. Khao San Road is a funny place, it’s great for all the sights, sounds and bargains to be had but the sheer amount of tourists including copious amounts of western men after a Thai brides slightly detracts from it. We had what would be our last bargain reflexology session and after both nearly drifting off to sleep whilst having our feet soothed we decided it must be time for bed.

Friday 4th June

We were up early and headed straight to the post office as we were eagerly awaiting a package. As we had originally been planning to go back to Singapore before flying to India we had left a bag of stuff with Doddy’s friends to collect on our return. However, as we were now flying home straight from Bangkok they had sent our belongings to a Bangkok post office using Poste Restante. We waited with bated breath as the clerk searched the office for our stuff, would it be there waiting for us or would it be lost fort ever in the postal system of Thailand? We breathed a sigh of relief as a package appeared with our name on it, brilliant news and thanks Matt and Sarah for posting it to us.

After breakfast we set out for a busy day of sightseeing with our first stop being the Grand Palace. It was fairly near to our hotel so we walked there and could tell we were getting close when locals approached us asking us if we were going to the Palace and when we replied that yes we were indeed going to the Palace they promptly told us that we wouldn’t get in given what we were wearing due to dress code regulations. They could however, quite happily sell us something more appropriate to wear. We politely declined deciding to wait and see what the official regulations were when we got there. It turned out Doddy needed trousers but these were available to borrow from the reception free of charge.

The Palace and surrounding gardens were stunning. Beautiful Buddha statues housed in buildings gilded in gold. It was also remarkable peaceful considering the number of people there. We spent a couple of hours wandering round the Grand Palace, its gardens and temples before heading for some lunch at a small market which looked like it was a real favourite haunt of the locals. We ordered using the tried and tested method of pointing at what someone else has that looks good and hoping that’s what you get!

We then continued on to the reclining Buddha, a highly impressive gold plated Buddha statue that is 46 metres long and 15 metres high and is designed to illustrate the passing of the Buddha into Nirvana. This time on route we got told that the temple was closed, but we had read about this scam so decided to ignore the comment and we were glad we did as of course it was open. Why do the Thais do that?! We wondered round the rest of the temples seeking shade wherever possible and attempting to use the guide map as a hat as it was so hot. We then decided to start making our way back so we could chill out and freshen up at the hotel before heading out again.

At about 4 pm we set off our again. This time we caught a local boat across town. The boats here act like buses, operating along different routes throughout the city and for 18p each we were whisked along to the other side of the city seeing the backs of houses decorated with washing hung out to dry and protecting ourselves from splashes of water using the blue tarpaulin curtain that was operated by a piece of string.

Once off the boat we walked to Siam Square the main sophisticated shopping area of Bangkok. It was all very nice but we were in search of the bargains and only a market would suffice! The night market in Pat Pong was tonight’s choice. When we got there they were still just setting up so we decided to grab something to eat. We searched for ages trying to find the food section of the market that I had been to before but couldn’t find it anywhere. On reflection I think it may have been at a different market! We found a brightly coloured street with lots of restaurants on it and Thai guys stood outside enticing customers in with an array of dining special offers. We got ourselves a pretty good deal so went in and sat at a table. It was only then after we started to look around that we realised that we were in a gay bar on the gay street in Bangkok! Never the less the food was good, the service great and we enjoyed a hearty meal.

Just as we left it began to chuck it down and the stall holders that had just finished setting things up hurriedly began putting their stuff away to protect it from the rain. We sat the rain out sheltering under the canopy of Boots the Chemist, oh yes they have Boots in Bangkok. It took half an hour for the rain to pass and no sooner had it gone were the stalls set up and ready for action again. We both had big shopping lists so decided it best to split it up and attack the market separately. It was another good market and stall holders here were a lot more willing to budge on price than those on Khao San Road.

An hour later we met up and showed off our new purchases admiring what each had bought. We then decided to head home which proved to be a lot more difficult than we’d anticipated. No taxi would take us on the meter and all of the tuk tuks were charging ridiculous prices. Our perseverance paid off though as 15 minutes later we found a tuk tuk driver who would take us for a fair price. And so after a busy day sightseeing and shopping we retired to bed for the very last time on the trip.

We awoke on the last morning with mixed emotions. We were excited to see friends and family we hadn’t seen for 9 months but we were also feeling a little deflated that it was our last day of what had been an immense 9 months. As we packed our bags a final time we reminisced about packing our bags for the first time back in the U.K. and wondering if we had thought of everything we would need. Our backpacks had grown in size and were almost full to the brim with all the goodies we had picked up along the way.

Our last day was spent pottering around Bangkok. Doddy developed a new shopping technique of being unable to purchase more than one thing at a time. I had finished all my shopping by lunchtime so after we had eaten Doddy went back out again whilst I wrote some blog at the restaurant of our hotel. Every half hour or so he would pop back to show me his latest purchase and then head back out again to get more things off his list.

The day soon passed and it was time to get some early dinner before heading to the airport. We enjoyed a final Thai curry sat in a window seat of a restaurant where we could watch all the new people arriving with their spotlessly clean backpacks and neat and tidy Lonely Plant guide books tucked under their arm. Oh how we were envious of them just starting out.

We went and had showers at one of the beauty salons we had been to previously in order to freshen up before the journey and then headed to catch our mini bus to the airport. The journey to the airport took around an hour and although we were jealous of those just starting out on their adventures we were also looking forward to coming home. The thought of stepping outside without instantly sweating was very appealing, as was being able to turn on the tap to get a glass of water instead of always searching for bottled water.

For the journey home we had come up with the plan that if we got changed into our smart clothes then we may get upgraded into business class for the flight home. We hadn’t arrived at the airport in said clothes as it was too hot outside but when we got there we headed to the toilets to get changed, me into a nice dress and Doddy into his tailor made suit, both of which we had left at the top of our back packs. All very well until Doddy realised he had lost the key to his back pack and with his clothes locked safely in his bag there was no way to get to them! We took everything out of both our hand luggage bags several times (much to other passengers amusement), emptied our pockets several times, but no, still no key. In desperation we asked a Policeman if he could help. He took us over to the security desk where he produced a huge pair of bolt cutters and proceeded to cut the padlock off the bag. Brilliant, we were into the bag but down a padlock, but I suppose that doesn’t really matter as that was our last journey.

We got changed and looking super smart we headed to the check in desk where we were unsuccessful in our attempts at an up-grade, ah well at least we looked the part! We cleared security and headed through to the other side where we relaxed with a couple of beers and people watched until our flight was called. The flight home was fine and went surprisingly quickly. I watched 11 episodes of the Good Wife back to back whilst Doddy watched a few films. Again we were filled with mixed emotions, the closer to the U.K. we got the more excited we felt but also the closer we got the more nervous we got, not really sure why the nerves kicked in, maybe we were worried that everyone would have enjoyed life too much back home without us and there would be no-one at the airport to meet us. However, we needn’t have worried as we were greeted in Heathrow Terminal 3 arrivals lounge by balloons, flowers, a banner, my Mum, Dad, Brother and Gran and Doddy’s Mum and Auntie Barb. It was a brilliant reunion, hugs and kisses all round and lots of “ooh don’t you look well!”

Keen for things not to finish abruptly at the airport Doddy and I had suggested we all go for breakfast before heading our separate ways (plus it had been 9 months since Doddy and I had had a proper English breakfast so this was as good excuse as any!) Iain (my brother) had done some prior research and found a greasy spoon cafe just five minutes from Heathrow so off we all set ready for some proper English grub. It was great, the food was just what we had been craving and we sat and chatted as we ate about the many highlights of the trip. It was a brilliant way to end a brilliant nine months. The morning flew by and it was soon time to say our good byes and go our separate ways, me back down south to Lymington and Doddy back home to Whitchurch. It felt strange to be saying goodbye to each other after spending every day together for the last nine months, but what an amazing nine months it had been, thank you very much Doddy.

So, that brings the blog to an end. Although the writing of it could be a little difficult at times to keep on top of it was definitely worth it. We now have a collection of memories that we can look back on for years to come. And as for the travelling itself what can I say? We had a truly fantastic time seeing some beautiful places and meeting some inspirational people. The trip also made us realise what a beautiful and often underrated place we live in, beautiful country-side, fresh air, vibrant cities and eclectic mix of people. So much so that I want to explore the UK more and have already put the Lonely Planet guide to Great Britain on my Christmas list! Our time spent away opened our eyes to what is out there and put a perspective onto what’s important in life. But as this chapter finishes another one starts, there are plenty more things we want to see and do and places we want to go, so don’t worry world, we’ll be back!

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