After a hectic last day, Monday 8th, getting packed with a bit of help from Owen I managed to get to the airport with most of what I need in a manageable weight bag. After an uneventful flight, with a few hours sleep included, I was feeling confident to get used to doing things cheaply and catch the bus into Bangkok instead of taking the easier option of a taxi which would deliver me to the door of the guest house.
Well I don't suppose it happens often but the bus broke down on the edge of an eight lane highway on the out skirts of Bangkok. I waited 45 mins for a replacement bus which then took another 1hr 30 to do the last 10kms. I can safely say Bangkok traffic is the worst I've ever seen. London's a doddle by comparison. The lights take an age to change and then they're blocked.
It then took two hours to get to Khao San Rd the back packers area near where I'd booked into a guest house by email. From the stop i took a tuktuk, three wheek taxi thing, having shown the driver the address for Taewez Guest House. It only looked a short way on the map but it took longer than expected, (i'd negotiated the price) and he eventually arrive at the Tavee Guest House. Mild moment of panic, stay calm, "thats not the guest house". "Oh Ok" he replies, does a quick u turn and goes about 100 metres to the right one. Panic over.
The guest house turns out to be better than expected. Nice, clean but plain room with fan. Shared toilet and showers (squat but lovely and clean and supplied with paper). After a shower go down for food and try the beer which also good and very cheap. Then start chatting to other travellers, pumping for information then astroll and another drink before quitting to bed at midnight.
I had a good nights sleep but my clock's a bit mixed up so woke up early, read did some washing then had break fast a 7am , midnight to you in UK. 8am started site seeing. I walked about two miles via Khao San Rd, to see what the fuss is about, and then hit the temples and palaces. Amazing overload of gold buddhas and ceramics.
Well I don't suppose it happens often but the bus broke down on the edge of an eight lane highway on the out skirts of Bangkok. I waited 45 mins for a replacement bus which then took another 1hr 30 to do the last 10kms. I can safely say Bangkok traffic is the worst I've ever seen. London's a doddle by comparison. The lights take an age to change and then they're blocked.
It then took two hours to get to Khao San Rd the back packers area near where I'd booked into a guest house by email. From the stop i took a tuktuk, three wheek taxi thing, having shown the driver the address for Taewez Guest House. It only looked a short way on the map but it took longer than expected, (i'd negotiated the price) and he eventually arrive at the Tavee Guest House. Mild moment of panic, stay calm, "thats not the guest house". "Oh Ok" he replies, does a quick u turn and goes about 100 metres to the right one. Panic over.
The guest house turns out to be better than expected. Nice, clean but plain room with fan. Shared toilet and showers (squat but lovely and clean and supplied with paper). After a shower go down for food and try the beer which also good and very cheap. Then start chatting to other travellers, pumping for information then astroll and another drink before quitting to bed at midnight.
I had a good nights sleep but my clock's a bit mixed up so woke up early, read did some washing then had break fast a 7am , midnight to you in UK. 8am started site seeing. I walked about two miles via Khao San Rd, to see what the fuss is about, and then hit the temples and palaces. Amazing overload of gold buddhas and ceramics.
Then some markets and curry in an indian restaurant recoomended by Lonely planet. About 3pm feeling jaded and walk to river to take aboat for about 15p 2 miles back to landing stage few hundred metres from guest house. After a rest I'm now here, thinking about dinner and planning the next stage north, to Chang Mai with may be stop off at Sukhothai on the way.
2 comments:
glad to see you've arrived safely, sounds like you've done tonnes in your first day, you'll be glad to hear the house hasn't fallen down [yet!] owen
Paul, Sounds good so far, with food and drink featuring highly.Please be sensitive in future posts that most of us are WORKING in a wet and windy UK.I've asked Ian to keep you up to date with Quins progress (?). Dennis
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