Blogs from Bangkok, Central Thailand, Thailand, Asia - page 710

Got a phonecall at 7.10am to say our minibus was here to take us to the floating market. Having had the minibus turn up the day before as there had been a mistake in the booking & resulting in a telephone conversation with the tour operator hanging up on us, we weren't expecting the bus to turn up today. Anyway we rushed around & fifteen minutes later we had arranged a late checkout, were dressed & in the bus apologising to the other tour members for the delay. An hour later we stopped at a plantation that made sugar from coconut flowers & an orchid farm that grew orchids funnily enough. The minibus dropped us off by the water (supposedly as no road vehicles can get to the market) & we took a long tailed motor ... read more

We had now been joined by Rachel and Marie so we had all booked to go to the floating market on Monday morning. However, our tour booker was concentrating her efforts on eating crackers and booked us on it a day early (and had closed when we realised this error). So I was in the lobby at 7am to attempt to explain this to our guide. After a Thai/English discussion that got us nowhere, he phoned his boss and I had to speak to him via mobile. The result of the conversation was ambiguous, but the indication was that we wouldn't be going anywhere on Monday (since our tour agent was handily closed all of Sunday). This mini-saga over we headed for the famous Chatuchak weekend market as planned. We took the cheap as chips canal ... read more

Hello all! We arrived in Bangkok on Tuesday after a remarkably comfortable journey across the pacific (well, as comfortable as an 18 or so hour journey can be- thanks Singapore Air!). The metropolis of Bangkok dwarfs any city we have previously visited- the city seems to stretch forever in all directions. The air is just like you've heard- absolutely digusting. Buses, cars and tuk-tuks spew fumes into the air that fill the city with a thick blanket of smog. We'd been told to avoid walking around the city, but we've enjoyed going places on foot. The city is filled with life- street vendors selling crafts, clothes and food food food! The street food is fantastic- we've had several delicious, fiery green papaya salads, terrific noodles and plenty of fresh tropical fruit. Dishes are usually in the ... read more

De nouvelles photos sont disponibles, les dernieres sur l'Inde car nous nous envolons au paradis des plages, la Thailande. Le nouvel album s'intitule Inde du sud, suite et fin. http://cf.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jojobastien2/my_photos A batch of new pictures are waiting for you at: http://cf.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jojobastien2/my_photos ... read more

Finally back in Bangkok. What a flight! After I unwrinkled myself I took my taxi to the We-Train International House for my 3-day stay. The We-Train is an inexpensive, safe and clean place to stay when you arrive after a long flight. It's not your typical accomodation. In fact, it is part of the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women and was constructed under the patronage of H.R.H. Princess Soamsawali. (Her Royal Highness). We-Train accomodates up to 300 people offers 27 guest rooms at a mere 400BHT ($10USD). Its only 10 minutes from the airport. Aside from the fact its so close and clean, its not the most comfortable. So if you're used to the Holiday Inn, go somewhere else. But if you are in need of a budget room and want to ... read more