Thailand: day 1,2&3

Bangkok! Arrived delayed, but so did my friend Ewa so we just met up at the airport. Visa on arrival seemed like such a big deal for the offiers! It's pretty obvious we just want to be good tourists, spend some money, support the economy and leave! But since none of us had a departing flight from Thailand it took a lot of explaining, documents and patience to make it through the border – that was a tiny bit stressful. Than the positively crazy taxi driver, who danxed to MJ songs whilst drivinh, found our hostel and as we were both exhaysted we just went to bed straight so we could start the next day fresh. On our first day we managed to see most of the city’s highlights. We were lucky to catch up with the free guided tour around the National Museum (which was free too – Happy New Year!). Lynda, our tour guide was a volunteer and a wife of a diplomat from New Zeeland. Her stories were a bit chaotic but enjoyable nevertheless. Funny enough, she did the touring because, as she put it: "there’s only as many massages one can get" ;) So we toured that museum (lots of Buddhas and chariots etc.), some temples (Wats) and shrines. We shopped on a textile market in Chinatown and took a tuktuk home. The bargaining is required everywhere here. At the beginning its fun but later it’s just a headache trying to not allow the savvy sellers to rip us off. And believe me, everyone gives inflated prices to tourists… You can knock off more than 50% sometimes. Oh, and the taxi ride with a meter is much CHEAPER than a tuktuk! Although, not all of the drivers like to use it, when we insisted we either got what we wanted or had to look for another one. Around our hostel in Silom, it was very quiet and ... well, boring. The hostel was very uneventful, especially comparing to Frendz Resort on Boracay. Anyways, since there was not much to do we decided to experience the famous Thai massage – after all, we deserved it after walking the whole day! We also tried to get into a rooftop lounge to admire the city by night, but they due to “inappropriate attire” (meaning our flip-flops and shorts) we were turned down :[ . Ah well, we still walked the not very interesting neighborhood.

The second day we travelled to the ancient city of Ayuthaya. We took a train – 3^rd class (fan, no aircon) for 20 Bath (an equivalent of maybe 0,5euro for 1,5hour ride) just for the thrill of it but we enjoyed it enough to get back the same way (15 Bath). Discovering the ancient ruins on bicycles was a blast! Especially that I haven’t ridden one in maybe a year, especially that they drive on the right side (we sometimes did too) and especially that we had the crappiest bikes available. Sooo much fun! I think the locals already got used to tourists driving the wrong direction so we got honked only a few times ;) The temples and Buddhas were amazing! At least the first 3 or 4 were…than it became ... some temples and more Buddhas. We cruised around the parks, ancient roads and the whole ruins. It was awesome to realize that I might ride on a roof and chill in somebody’s backyard - I mean some ancient Thai aristocracy … We got to see some elephants too! The roads seem to submit to the rule of the strongest. The scooters give way to the tuktuks, the tuktuks to cars and trucks, but where do elephants fit? My guess: somewhere between cars since they did seem to give them way ;] – really funny sight!

And took a boat ride for 3 Bath - prices here are amazing when outside of touristy Bangkok areas! Sitting down after the tour with an ice-watermelon shake and chilled on the bank of one river observing the daily life of locals, the pointy boats cruising up and down the river….surreal! I don’t want to hear ever again: “why do you travel so far, there are so many interesting things at home!”… sorry, but this does not compare! After coming back we wanted to see the touristy road where all the pubs, restaurants, street vendors – Khao San Road it was! And we were amazed by the bustling, lively atmosphere and decided to move there for our last night. One can not resist the charm of this road! Unfortunately, we were so tired that after cruising around a bit, a dinner and a beer we just had to go back and pass out! Love the feeling when in the evening you can lay down and say: That was a very well spent day!

Day three. Got lazy getting up, managed to get lost looking for the pier, but saw the princess arriving in the Grand Palace. The whole palace complex was humongous! And sooo beautiful! As we discussed with Ewa, what do we Polish have to boast about: Wawel? It’s probably not even half the size and not merely as astonishing as this place. Tired with the heat we sought shade in the Buddhist temple (shoes off!)! Than we took the boat to the other side of the river to see the Wat Arun – one of the most beautiful Wat’s so far I think. And then back to Khao San road where we moved earlier in the morning. We tried to shop some more but the dresses and swim suits didn’t look merely as good in the daylight as at night, and the price, even after bargaining was way too much (we got used to paying 1,1 euro for bags and 3 euro for pants). All the American tourists spoilt the venders with their no-bargaining purchases (how can you pay 10 euro for a dress?!?). So instead we decided to indulge a bit and gout ourselves a Spa treatment. Still didn’t get the fish feet peeling (that’s when you sit with your feet in an aquarium full of funky fishes that bite off the dead skin) – still looks too gross for our taste.

We had several deeper thought moments throughout the day. Namely, talking about world religions and how similar they are! But I already forgot our outcomes :[

So here I am, in the backpackers heaven hostel, got my Cambodian Visa ready and about to travel to the boarded to Battamang tomorrow. After reading all the dangers & annoyances that we will meet on the way I ask everyone to cross their fingers. We will need luck not to get ripped off. But for now, let’s get some good dinner and enjoy the last night in Bangkok. We did a good job exploring the city, but surprisingly didn’t make friends :[ let’s hope next stop will be more abundant with friendly travellers!

p.s. sorry for the lack of new photos, but I took something like 500 during the past days, and its soo much work uploading them! And time flies like crazy when you’re having fun. Plus there’s so much to do!