Booming Bangkok

Thursday 2nd Feb

street off chinatown

Got up early this morning. Had to get our new foreign phones, plug adaptors and other malarky we didn't bring so said we'd go to MBK center. Got a taxi from Chinatown...it was the most terrifying journey of my life! Driver was a lunatic!! Speeding down the freeway at 130km, literally driving bumper to bumper then ducking out from behind cars in front of other when changing lanes...and the worst part WE HAD NO SEAT BELTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had to close my eyes for most of the journey.

So we eventually got there after half an hour of pure terror! Went into the mall. Lots of little stalls selling all kinds of everything. Wasn't as amazing as we had been told, so left, then saw he had brought us to a place called JJ Mall, not MBK! There was a huge thunder storm so we sat at the side of the road watching it, then got another taxi



rain!!!!!!!

 . This guy was far more relaxed and we were at MBK in about 15mins. Now this was the real deal!!!! I've never seen anything like it! 8 floors of every kind of shop stretching as far as the eye can see. First three floors were overwhelming clothing madness!!! We were going to leave then said we'd check the next floor. Lucky we did, this was the electronic Aladdin's cave!!!!! Cameras, laptops, phones, mp3s EVERYTHING!!!! And so cheap. We were looking at Dr Dre headphones in the airport duty free before coming over. Amazing sound but ridiculously priced at €360! We got a pair in MBK for 1500baht, €35!! And lots more bargains of the same!!

We got some food then after our shopping bonanza and went across the road to Thailand arts and cultural center. Fabulous building and nice photography exhibition inside featuring work from people all over the world. Couldn't take photos in there unfortunately. After that, we went back to Chinatown and got some street food for dinner, very lovely!

Friday 3rd Feb

We slept in til 12 this morning...jet lag getting the better of us! We were woken then by a call from reception asking us why we hadn't checked out? We were booked to stay friday night too but they had mixed it up on their system. Had to move rooms as a result, didn't mind cause we got to see another one of the suites at this unbelievable hotel, if anyones going to Bangkok I'd seriously recommend this place.

chaturk park

Anyway, didn't get out of the hotel til around 2. We knew we wouldn't get much out of the day before dark so said we'd just go to the park for a walk...which is at the other side of Bangkok! Chaturk park is the name of the place and we took the underground metro and sky train to get there. Was actually very easy to navigate our way around. Got there after about half an hour, had a lovely walk and then came back.
...this is where the story gets messy!!! I had drunk a ridiculous amount of water that day, was dyin for a whizz before leaving Chaturk but there was no loo so I said I'd be grand. Not the case my friends!!! About half way through the journey back and I thought my bladder was actually going to explode!! I waddled off the metro, went upstairs to find the loo. There is none!!! Agghhhhh the panic!!!! Out we went onto the street,it literally looked like the Bronx. All run down shacks, the odd shop but nothing commercial. Crap!! Luke asked one old lady in the shop if she had a toilet, she just looked at him in pure terror like she had just seen an alien! Waddled back up to the station, getting desperate, go down the side alley. There's an old man doing yoga stretches at the end. Go away man!!!!!!! No option but for Luke to stand between the two of us and I squat down for the most embarrassing, but relieving wee of all time!!! Win!

Luke having dinner at the side of the road in chinatown

We hopped back on the metro to Chinatown. Got some really hot Thai food off a street vendor, thought my mouth would never be the same again! Went to the hotel bar for a few beers.

One thing I can't get over is how the streets are so clean. I walk around all day in my sandals and come back in the evening and my feet are perfectly clean. Walk around London for an hour in sandals and you're guaranteed to have to scrub your feet when you get home.

Another thing I learned today, the only person cars stop for is a monk!!!! Need to go get me some orange robes!!!!
Saturday 4th Feb

Today we left for Kanchanaburi. For the first time we woke up early enough for the hotel breakfast...we had bloody well been missing out!!! Full fry, toast, cereal, fruit and Thai snacks. Filled ourselves up nicely and set off for Thonburi station.

 Station was so basic, Sat around for two hours chatting to people and taking in the place. We met a really nice guy called Jim. He is from Tazmania and is almost 70! Spent all his life travelling so he shared some great stories.

 Eventually the train arrives and we all jump on. it's a 2.5hr journey and the sights we saw were amazing, as were the scents...the windows are all pulled up so the breeze is phenomenal but lovely.

There's little shanty huts scattered all the way along the track. So cool seeing into these peoples homes, watching the kids play together and seeing the people at work in the paddy fields.

We had a few beers with Jim and his friend, listened to more stories and just took everything in!

Was a relief to get to Kanchanaburi, the heat was crazy!! Got a taxi bike to our next place of rest. He dropped us off and we were terrified. It was at the top of an alley and he just told us we had to go down to the end of it. It was dark at this stage too so seemed a million times scarier!! Off we went anyway, hoping for the best! Got down and the place was fine! It opens out onto this big swampy reserve and the lodges are all built of stilts over the swamp. It was so unexpected!!!

sam's house kanchanaburi

 We freshened up..much needed, then headed out for some food. Can't get over the Thai food. Had another amazing dinner, no dodgy belly and went for drinks then.



The lovely couple Blandine and Erwan who we had lots of fun with!



We stumbled upon a reggae bar so decided to stay put there. Music was brilliant! Six Asian dudes looking like Jamacians singing and playing brilliantly!!! Met a lovely french couple, any language barrier that existed was soon irrelievnt as the buckets of rum flowed! I had a great time dancing with Blandine when Erwan and  Luke got up on stage to jam with the band!

 Was so much fun. We stayed there with the our french amigos and the band, sitting around a table drinking, laughing and sharing stories until they shut the bar for the night, about 4am.....a wonderful first night in Kanachanaburi, I think we will like this place a lot.

Today we took a total chill out day. Have been sitting by the river reading, writing and listening to music in the sunshine. A perfect day!