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Published: January 19th 2011
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Has Marieke packed too much?After an emotional farewell at the airport, a very long 11 hour flight with a screaming child and an agitated Spanish guy sitting next to us, two hours sleep and a couple of soggy meals on the plane, we have finally arrived in Bangkok, Thailand.
We anticipated a hot and sticky start to the trip, the kind of heat that you don't notice until you exit through the airport doors, almost like a wall of humidity that hinders every step you make and that takes your breath away. And with 15kg packs on our backs we weren't looking forward to that initial entry. However we were quite surprised, and infact the heat felt just like a really hot summer in London, something you get used to quite quickly.
So we got in to an air conditioned pink taxi with quite a character for a driver... I don't think the drivers in Thailand pay much attention to 'the rules of the road'. It was like being on the North Circular with Lewis Hamilton at the wheel. 'Lewis' thought it was a good idea to drive at 60mph with only a foot separating our lovely pink taxi from the tuk tuk
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1st night tiredness kicks in! in front.
The hotel we are staying in for two nights is in fact our bit of luxury for the trip, before we indulge in a spot of 'real backpacking' and slumming it. Still, it's very cheap compared to what you would pay for something similar in England, but expensive for Thailand.
We had a relaxed first evening in the hotel... chatting to the bar manager about Bangkok and the local area, sipping a few beers, and sampling the local Thai food. WHICH, may we add, is a LOT spicier than Thai food you can get in England. The first bite of Barrie's dinner brought tears to his eyes....... and his bottom.
Day 2 - and we certainly felt the heat. Barrie, on his way to the 7/11, was targeted by a local, Spurs supporting, very sweet Tuk Tuk driver called Anom. A deal was had, and we found ouselves being driven around Bangkok, to four major temples and places of worship in the area, for the sweet price of only £1!!!! We felt sorry for him, as we ended up walking around the temples for quite sometime, whilst he sat in his Tuk Tuk reading the
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Tuk Tuk driving, more like formula 1! GO GO GO! paper and waiting for us. After four hours of escorting us around the city, as good kind hearted souls, we gave him another £1.
We are going to a floating market tomorrow which is near the bridge over the River Kwai, about three hours by bus from Bangkok. We will stay the night on a floating hut on the river, which could prove interesting! Also - Marieke's 'Jim'll Fix It' letter is finally going to get answered, twenty years after it was sent; We are going to ride on elephants!!!
We have also planned to spend some time on Ko Chang, a beautiful island quite near the Cambodian border, which will provide us with somewhere to stay before heading off into the jungles of Cambodia...
Packing the flat back in London seems like such a long time ago now, what a hassle that was! We hope all of you are well, we miss you all, and we will be blogging again in a couple of weeks, so stay tuned!
Lots of love
Marieke & Barrie xxx
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Willemyn Barker-Benfield
non-member comment
Excellent start!
Wow I can't believe how much you've done already! And you've only ben gone a day or so. Your pictures look amazing, I am super chuffed that you're finally on this adventure. Gook to see sis you've mastered the art of carrying your stuff-ace picture! Ahh you guys make my heart hurt. I look forward to the next entry. Till then, tally ho! All my love Willski xxxxxxxxx