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Published: November 27th 2006
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A Passage to Bangkok
The lady told me when I released the birds I'd be brought good luck. She neglected to tell me I'd be 100 baht lighter !! Monday 20th - Wednesday 23rd November, 2006
Not even the prescription only sleeping pill given me by my nursing sister with the promise "ÿou'll wake when you land" could prevent the ten and a half hour flight to Bangkok descending rapidly into a living hell. Finding myself sandwiched tightly between an ignorant frenchman with no desire whatsoever for communication of any kind and a grossly oversized cricket fan with hallitosis I managed just two hours in the land of the fairies before excitement got the better of me and wake beckoned. Needless to say the remaining hours passed hellishly slowly as I fought the stupor inducing effects of the sleepers.
Upon arrival in Bangkok I beckoned a cab and found myself alighting at Jim's Lodge, a Norman Bates style establishment just off the busy Sukhumvit Road. I thought I deserved better than the first night home of my two previous visits to the City, the backpackers slum known as Khosan Road, and for the rather extortionate rate of 32 quid a night I got just that. Air conditioning, a crisp king sized bed and a multi channel TV no less. Unpacked and, a brief maiden voyage on the Bangkok
A Passage to Bangkok
"Just one more stop sir please" he said. monorail system apart, I was in my pit for 10pm (3pm GMT) and having drifted away instantly then found myself staring at the ceiling again at 4.30am and having to console myself with watching Celtic defeat the Mancs whilst waiting for breakfast to commence.
By 10am I was back on the mono travelling across town to catch the boat up the Chao Praya River en route to the Royal Palace. Stupidly, I had not given a thought to the need to wear long trousers in such a residence and was informed by a guide at the gates that unfortunate as it was I would not be allowed in. that Big Buddha was nearby, that shorts would be permissible attire there and that hey presto, he had a tuc tuc to take me there. I've had the attempted runaround from these tuc tuc guys before and this one, surprise surprise, was no different. Having witnessed Big Buddha in all his glory I spent the next hour and a half being driven all ways across town, swallowing untold amounts of thick carbon monoxide en route, stopping only to call at various establishments of his choice; two tailor's, two jewellers and a
A Passage to Bangkok
There struck me as being something a bit seedy and sinister about this little chap. Can you spot it ? One of Big Buddha's minders. rug shop to be precise. The deal is such; he gets me to enter said store and in return receives a fuel voucher from the proprietor and at this rate it felt as though he'd be buzzing around town tommorow in an articulated petrol tanker. Seems unfair that the customer gets nothing but inconvenience out of the deal but my protestations held no sway despite the fact that, believe it or not, I knew what he was up to. Consequently, I decided to argue no more but sit back and enjoy the free tour and when we finally arrived back at the palace gates he pointed to the shop across the road and informed me that I could purchase a pair of pants there for 200 baht (three quid) !! I did and it was worth it.
In the evening I walked down to book a flight to Cambodia and, after a couple of Chang's (6.4% and not recommended on an empty stomach) on the way, ended up paying a lot more than I'd wanted to just to get out of town (110 pounds). I could have stayed an extra night in Bangkok and got the flight a lot
A Passage to Bangkok
My three quid keks, cheap at half the price. cheaper on the Friday but I'd had enough for now and a change from the hustle and bustle of city life was was needed. Bangkok, especially the area where I was residing, is a concrete jungle with buildings so tall the sun only shines sideways. Add to that the incredibly oppressive heat, the stomach turning stenches that greet you at every turn and the general pace of the crazy life in general and you may begin to understand why I was choosing to get flee.
Next morning I was wide awake early again. I've been thinking that I can't live life on this trip as though I'm on a long holiday even though to all intents and purposes that's what it is. As I'm not going to be working, something other than partying, sightseeing and lying on a beach will be required to occupy my time. I also figured that spending four sessions a week for the last five years at the ludicrously expensive David Lloyd centre only to forget excercise of any shape or form for the next six months would be foolish to say the least so, having smoked my last cigarette the previous evening, at 9:30am
I donned my trainers and set off in the general direction of the the local park. Thirty minutes later I staggered into the foyer looking like I'd just crawled out of the non existant open air pool. Strangely enough I did feel better for it though.
Having then watched a bit of the first days play in the first test which didn't bode well for the remainder of the series I made my way to the airport for a 2.45 flight to Siem Reap on a tiny twin propped aeroplane. Suffice to say I was wedged into the window seat by an overweight mute frog.......with bad breath.
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al and hel
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matty boy! great to hear from you, grandmas already asked me at least 30times if you'd written a blog-so she'll be happy! sorry the sleepers didnt work out-can't believe you could keep ur eyes open.Better luck next time.At least ur flight was a bit less adventurous than russ's.He set off to Boston yesterday only to have an emergency landing[blue light job]in Dublin when the alternator failed.They fixed it n he set off again when,yes,another one failed n he ended up in beautiful Newfoundland! Free champers all round courtesey of Continental,but Russ being Russ and an ex aeronautical engineer,not a drop passed his lips.Wanted to be sober if it happened again! Pity I wasn't there,could have had his as well.Not heard anything since then so presume rest of flight went ok.I'm on the same flight on Thurs[going to join Russ in Florida for a few days,Flight £75 with miles] so hope it's sorted by then. Know what u mean about being ready to get out of Bangkok,Russ n I were the same tho the palace is amazing isn't it.Hope Cambodia good. Cricket awful so far.Hope they get their act together before your matches or you will be showing your ars on the pitch. Lovely to read your blog and know ur ok.Have been thinking bout you lots.Will have to go now cos it's 17.30,need to make tea and Alex gets vicious if her blood sugar drops too low! She's just taking the piss out of me for writing this cos she says people only write a few sentences on a blog. Oh well, maybe I'll start a new trend. Enjoyed reading bout how ur doing,glad ur ok.Look fourward to ur next missile.Take care of yourself.Lots of love Hel n the teenage dirtbag. xxxxxxxx