One night in Bangkok

Ugh getting up early is definitely not one of my strengths, but I had to catch my flight to Bangkok! It was nice to seat on the plane for the first time since… a month – a nice alternative to stinky buses. I arrived in Bangkok fresh and ready for the day. I checked into the best hostel I’ve stayed in …ever. It was brand new, just opened 2 nights before I got there so the staff was super nice and helpful, the showers were working perfectly and there was no danger of bedbugs – anyone staying in Bangkok I recommend the WE Bangkok hostel!!

The plan for the day turned out to be way too ambitious, especially that after booking my ferry to Ko Phangan for the next day I realized my debit card was missing. I wanted to go shopping but instead had to call my bank and with the little money left on me I bought the most needed item – a bikini. Then realizing I might not have enough money to get the taxi back I had no choice but to walk from Khaosan Rd to the nearest Metro station – that took me only 2 hours :] I learned later that Thai people don’t walk - EVER, under any circumstances. This must be the reason why everyone I asked the way looked at me as if I was a loony. I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t get lost a few times wandering into tiny alleys or industrial areas… that was fun at least at the beginning. Later it was just a pain in the ass especially that most locals outside of touristic areas could not speak English and ignored me conspicuously when I tried asking for directions.

I had no idea, that the last time I was here (wow, nearly 2 months ago!) I left out a very important tourist attraction. So, on the way to the MRT I climbed some more than 300 stairs to reach the “Golden Mountain” – a Buddhist temple with spectacular views over the city. A MUST see!! Sunset from there would be magnificent, but I didn’t have time to linger as I had an appointment with my friends that I met while studying in Canada. Both of the Thai girls already graduated and were working full time. I also met a French girl who was there for her second exchange. Such a funny feeling getting together after all those (2!) years!! Too bad I couldn’t spend more time with them but I had to get up at 5am the next day and was still tired after the 2h walk... Surprise, surprise, my “one night in Bangkok” was very lame.

Right now I’m on the most comfortable bus ever. Since it wasn’t full I got the 5 back seats all to myself and slept like a princess. I’ll be boarding the high speed catamaran very soon to get to Ko Phangan - beach time!!! Time to slow down, and finish the trip with a nice suntan before coming back to cold and rainy Taipei. I still have a little more than a week left :[ so I am not going to think about it and enjoy the time I have left!!

Edit: After spending most of the journey like a princess we stopped to get some more people and I found myself sitting between two significantly overweight and sweaty men. Hah, karma. But I managed to spot a wife/girlfriend of one of them and arrange a swap – ufff.