September 9th, 2005 - Bangkok, Day 1
Koh Sahn Road at night
Hi!
Well I have just spent my first day in Bangkok, and it was tiring so say the least.
I arrived at the airport at about 9:30pm last night... and by the time I got through customs and found the shuttle bus I was looking for (it took ages!!) it was 10:30. The first thing that got to me was the humidity. You are constantly sweating. I had to wait 30 minutes for the next bus to Koh Sahn rd.... and then the bus took an hour! So here I am, 12 midnight in the middle of bangkok. There were people everywhere (mostly tourists), and stalls in the streets selling food and all sorts of clothes and stuff. So I started walking around trying to find a decently priced guest house. There were a few that were about 200baht (about 6bucks) but they were very dodgy. I saw a rat in one and the other one smelled like urine.
Well I have just spent my first day in Bangkok, and it was tiring so say the least.
I arrived at the airport at about 9:30pm last night... and by the time I got through customs and found the shuttle bus I was looking for (it took ages!!) it was 10:30. The first thing that got to me was the humidity. You are constantly sweating. I had to wait 30 minutes for the next bus to Koh Sahn rd.... and then the bus took an hour! So here I am, 12 midnight in the middle of bangkok. There were people everywhere (mostly tourists), and stalls in the streets selling food and all sorts of clothes and stuff. So I started walking around trying to find a decently priced guest house. There were a few that were about 200baht (about 6bucks) but they were very dodgy. I saw a rat in one and the other one smelled like urine.
Then this guy comes up to me and asks if I am looking for a place to sleep. (no.... I just like walking around at 12:30 with a huge backpack on...) He gave me a card with a name on it of Thai Cozy Guesthouse. I remember Lou had reccomended that I stay there because that is where she stayed while she was here. So I went with the guy... but the rooms was too much. (650baht)- a lot in Thailand. So here I am, close to tears, in the street with a heavy bag sweating like a pig. I walked around a bit more... then i came to the place that Kala told me she stayed. So I went in. The room was 700baht for the night, but I didn't care I just wanted to go to bed. It was 1:30am which is 4:30am in sydney and I was bagged. So I got kinda ripped off on my first night (well two cause I payed for two- i wanted to sleep in a didn't want to have to check out early) I made it.
Today I wanted to sleep in but couldn't sleep much, still had a lot of nerves from the night before I guess. I woke up and it was pouring rain. Not what I expected. Breakfast was included in the price of the room so I went down and had my breakfast and was on my way. |
I am amazed at the stuff here. Everything is so so so cheap. Dresses for 150baht (3bucks). The only thing that sucks is that most of them are small... if only I hadn't gained weight in Australia. I am hoping that by the time I leave Asia (ya know eating nothing but rice/noodles and vegetables- I'm not planning to eat meat as i don't wanna get sick) I will be a good size to stock up on all the great deals. I can still buy stuff, but if I were smaller I would be buying a lot more.
The only thing that gets tiresome is the Thai people and the bargaining with them. Nothing has prices, and so you ask how much something is, then you have to bargain...urghh. It just gets tiresome. Even after one day I am tired of it! I also found a new guest house to move to tommorrow... full of westerners, looks nice and clean and the room wasn't too bad. It was also about 500baht cheaper than the one I am in now. |
I still haven't met anyone yet, but it is still very early in my time here... I am sure I will meet loads of people. Gonna head out tonight as well so who knows what the night will bring. (don't worry mom I will be carefull! there is a nice pub just around the corner)
My mobile number here is +6647591534. (011 goes where the + is in canada) I still haven't figured out where (well, more like how) to buy an international phone card, but you guys can ring me (for once!!!) if you haven't heard from me in a while. Or email.
From here I am heading south. not sure the exact destination yet, but Cedar gave me the name of the place that the beach was filmed and I would love to check that out. Will let you know my plans. I'll figure that out tommorrow.
xo rachel