So, it's 8.30pm here in Bangkok and I've taken up my usual position in the hotel lobby to write the (almost) daily update. The two of us passed the noodle/ vegetable breakfast in favour of toast and jam this morning. Clearly we're not seasoned travelers yet!
Last night's dinner was truly fantastic. Having wandered the streets for a good half hour, we eventually settled for a cafe near the hotel. A feast of Pad Thai, a chicken curry, crispy rice and dip and a clear broth, plus a giant beer cost us a mere 6 pounds. The lemon and ginger flavour of the broth meant it could quite easily have been bottled as a common cold remedy - talk about clearing your airways...
We headed out into Bangkok's centre today by the ever-novel skytrain. It was hot, noisy, and a bit of a cultural eye-opener, particularly the number of beggers that we came across. However, the street stalls and the general hustle and bustle gave the area a real atmosphere.
Next, we went to Tha Sathorn where we had some lunch at a brilliant indoor market. We both tucked in to a huge bowl of noodle soup with an unknown green vegetable and fish balls. Loved the noodles, not so much the fish balls. But hey, when in Bangkok... With a bottle of Pepsi each, the meal cost around 2 pounds.
We took the ferry up the river to Tha Phra Arthit where we disembarked for the famous Khao San Road. This little street is a backpacker haven, with stalls, hotels and conveniences lining the walkway.
Having battled our way through 'helpful' Thais to get back to the ferry, we returned to the hotel. The jetlag still hasn't completely abated, so it'll be another early night here.
Friday, 31 July 2009
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Bangkok - the jetlagged post
13 hours on a plane, a brief midnight stopover in the Middle East (Amman, Jordan: alright in the dark) and we've finally made it to Bangkok. I have been awake for the best part of 31 hours, everything's swaying slightly.
Sarah and I started the holiday in the only way we know how: with a large cocktail at Heathrow. Hilarity ensued at Amman when I thought the security guard was detaining me and my passport, when really he was attempting a bit of a chat-up. Note to males: women who have been up for hours and are almost maternally protective of their passports do not respond well to casual flirtation.
The flight was predictably suicide-inducing, but Bangkok airport was impressively well-managed, and we were through immigration and out the door with our bags within an hour of touchdown. Even the swine-flu prevention masks that many service staff have adopted did nothing to dampen our excitement (we decided they don't work anyway).
Having arrived at our hotel around 5pm local time, we checked in and headed to the room. Fortunately I'd managed to grab 3 or 4 hours sleep on the flight, but Sarah's crashed out, taking a quick nap in the immaculate beds before we head out for dinner. I took the opportunity to laze in the corner bath (swish!) and read a bit of Atonement by Ian McEwan. Because that's what you do on holiday.
We're staying in the Silom district, ostensibly a business area but fantastically located for the sky train - a metro-type service that runs on tracks over the city, and looks like it comes from 2050 - and for some of the more interesting 'nightlife'. Our taxi driver took us past more massage parlours than can be necessary. Bangkok really comes alive in the evenings: as we drove down this afternoon it appeared dusty and busy. Now, as I sit in the hotel lobby, I can see the bright lights of the restaurants, and the sky train whizzing around.
Much as I enjoyed the plane food I've eaten for the last 3 meals (note hint of sarcasm), I'm looking forward to blogging about our culinary experiences here.
Until tomorrow, when I might be able to type straight.
Sarah and I started the holiday in the only way we know how: with a large cocktail at Heathrow. Hilarity ensued at Amman when I thought the security guard was detaining me and my passport, when really he was attempting a bit of a chat-up. Note to males: women who have been up for hours and are almost maternally protective of their passports do not respond well to casual flirtation.
The flight was predictably suicide-inducing, but Bangkok airport was impressively well-managed, and we were through immigration and out the door with our bags within an hour of touchdown. Even the swine-flu prevention masks that many service staff have adopted did nothing to dampen our excitement (we decided they don't work anyway).
Having arrived at our hotel around 5pm local time, we checked in and headed to the room. Fortunately I'd managed to grab 3 or 4 hours sleep on the flight, but Sarah's crashed out, taking a quick nap in the immaculate beds before we head out for dinner. I took the opportunity to laze in the corner bath (swish!) and read a bit of Atonement by Ian McEwan. Because that's what you do on holiday.
We're staying in the Silom district, ostensibly a business area but fantastically located for the sky train - a metro-type service that runs on tracks over the city, and looks like it comes from 2050 - and for some of the more interesting 'nightlife'. Our taxi driver took us past more massage parlours than can be necessary. Bangkok really comes alive in the evenings: as we drove down this afternoon it appeared dusty and busy. Now, as I sit in the hotel lobby, I can see the bright lights of the restaurants, and the sky train whizzing around.
Much as I enjoyed the plane food I've eaten for the last 3 meals (note hint of sarcasm), I'm looking forward to blogging about our culinary experiences here.
Until tomorrow, when I might be able to type straight.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Travels - to begin at the beginning
Tomorrow I embark on what is perhaps a (dare I say) clichéd trip to Asia, backpacking around Thailand and Malaysia for a month with a girlfriend. This blog is a small way of keeping family/ friends updated, keeping up my writing, and generally recording every last cocktail.
All that the next 48 hours holds is four hours on a train, quite a long time at Heathrow, and then a fourteen (or so) hour flight with a slight detour through Jordan. Quite honestly, it better be worth it.
High-jinks, tuk-tuks and buckets of dubious booze aside, I hope to soak up some culture and channel a bit of my inner hippy. I'll be back on the 30th August. Until then...
All that the next 48 hours holds is four hours on a train, quite a long time at Heathrow, and then a fourteen (or so) hour flight with a slight detour through Jordan. Quite honestly, it better be worth it.
High-jinks, tuk-tuks and buckets of dubious booze aside, I hope to soak up some culture and channel a bit of my inner hippy. I'll be back on the 30th August. Until then...
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