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Published: February 7th 2013
So, we landed in Bangkok 4pm local time. Walking off the plane we were instantly hit by a wall of humidity and smiling Thai faces. After walking round the airport for a while trying to figure out what the signs actually meant when they said straight on we managed to get through security and obtain a Thai visa (and x2 free sim cards!) Now for the hard bit. We followed the instructions given to us by our hostel and joined the massive queue for a meter taxi. Pink and blue/yellow seem to be the theme here, and absolutely all of them are Toyota! Getting a taxi through the middle of Bangkok in rush hour wasn't the wisest idea but eventually after about an hours drive we reached Lub D (after the taxi driver got confused and tried to drop us up the road - good job we had a Thai map from the hostel!) Our room has bunk beds, a desk and a mirror but more surprisingly it actually has windows! There are computers, wifi, a bar and a good sized communal area. And it's clean! The taxi was 463 baht + 70 baht toll fees.
After putting the air con on full blast we forced ourselves to get ready to go and find some food, it was about 7pm at this point and we need to get into Thai time. Walking out of the hostel we are literally on the main street in Silom which is full of shops and resturants. The market traders have set up stalls on the pavements so you walk through a tunnel of clothes, watches, sunglasses, belts, dildos(?) and food. Only in Bangkok have I ever seen stalls in the middle of a main road - mad!
The roads are as I expected - completely mental. Mum, think New York but without the structure or rules. The advice I received before leaving to look straight ahead of you and just go for it really is basically what you need to do. I got cocky on the walk back to the hostel and was strolling across the road boasting I'd got the hang of it when a wall of motorbikes starting driving at me!
We ate in a lovely noodle bar where we were given THE biggest bowl of food ever. After attempting to eat the entire bowl and downing a beer and a coke we were knackered. We gladly gave away 266 baht for the privilage (about 3.50gbp) and walked back to the hostel.
Day 1 is over, day 2 will consist of wondering about trying to figure out how to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. We have another night in Lub D tomorrow so plently of time to figure it out.
Until then...
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Dinner @ Noodi Bar, Silom
Sarah
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Sawadee Kah!!
Hey Guys! Sounds like you truely were thrown in at the deep end - I like it :) Glad that you have arrived safe and sound though and really looking forward to reading more of your blogs - keep up the good work xxx