What Happens in Bangkok Doesn't Stay In Bangkok

June 28, 2011

We hit the road in a van to the Cambodia-Thailand border but with two extra passengers. We would find out later these were family members of the driver. The drive is uneventful otherwise until we reach the border. The place is a chaotic zoo, and a Thai minibus driver finds us as we are about to cross the border. We cautiously accept his terms but with a stipulation, half now, half when we get to Bangkok and its a van just for us.

Less than an hour in, we stop for a natural gas fill up for the van and we get an unexpected delay. The minibus doesn't have the proper certification for getting the gas. After an hour of waiting, and the driver being uncommunicative, we are on our way. This is when he driver decides he needs to get us there when we were promised. The minibus gets faster and faster, reaching speeds of over 150km/hr. Every time we hit a bump or went over a hill, it was like being at Canada's Wonderland- in an "oh my god, this coaster is out of control" kind of way. Jen who was in the front slept soundly. Fairly sure, time slowed as we hit the speed of light.

Finally, we arrive in Bangkok at the beautiful Davis hotel. This place could be a home away from home if it weren't for the fact that they did not have free WI-FI.There was nice carpeting, big screen TV, fridge, and a palatial bathroom. I was ready to finally relax and we head off to a recommended authentic Thai food restaurant. By this time, everyone is cranky, tired, and damn hungry. We arrive at the restaurant instead it is a "Thai/Chinese" seafood restaurant. Most of the items on the menu appear to be fish cooked with the head and scales intact. Then there is confusion with how we are getting drinks, as there is a definite language barrier, and the starts adding bottles to our cart and giving us 1/3 of a glass pepsi because that's all that's left in the bottle.

I am not feeling good at all, and settle on one of the few chicken dishes, which turns out to be good but seriously lacking in anything other than chicken and pure spice. Andrea opts to share her small soup which is enough for 4 people- more spice. As my stomach comes to a bubble, Jen and Doug (Andrea's dad) come to blows over etiquette and culture shock. Perhaps, we should have gone to the gas station McDonald's at this point.  After dinner, we all retire to our rooms to cool off and get some rest for the next day.

June 29, 2011

It's our first full day in Bangkok and we hoped to start off early in the morning. Instead, breakfast seems to take 2 hours and we are not off until around noon. By this time, it's blazing hot in Bangkok, and we hop onto the LRT. We got off near the Marina, but miss the public boat. We don't quite understand the boat transit system and opt not to wait for the next boat, not realizing its about 20 minutes away at most. So, we head out on foot through Chinatown. Not the best idea.

First off its hot, and the streets are just as narrow as KL. Then there is street vendors and crowds blocking almost every walk way. Then we encounter the 'helpful people' gauntlet. This is how the story goes, they ask us where we are from, or remark on our nice accent, tell us about one city they know in Canada and how they have a friend there. Give us some somewhat helpful suggestions, and then try to lead us to their friend the Tuk Tuk driver to take us where we want to go.

It is a amazing that we were to able to see anything. We got to the Golden Buddha and the amazing Reclining Buddha. The latter statue has to be a a couple of stories in height but laying down. It is an impressive site and one not to be missed in Bangkok. After this, we head over to the Grand Palace but we missed the last entrance by 4 minutes! It had to wait to the next day.

We got on a boat back to the LRT station, and headed back to the hotel. Andrea and I jumped into the swimming pool for a quick swim before the thundershowers came. Dinner came easily that night as I noted a nice little Thai place along the road near the hotel- 'Lemongrass' which every seem to enjoy. Small victories! Unfortunately, both the Banana Flower and Pomelo salads has small bits of shrimp in them (I didn't know this before Andrea and I ordered them), and I couldn't take part in that part. We shared a couple of other dishes and it was a good end to a crazy day.

Next episode- "Too Much Or Not Enough Bangkok"...