Saturday, October 8th, 2005
One Night In Bangkok
One Night in Bangkok, and I'm having a blast! It was a bit of a headache trying
to get around the 'Outbound Ticket' restriction that most countries are cracking
down on a bit more these days, but once I met a travel agent who knew what she
was doing, I got it all sorted out. See, most countries won't let you in as
a tourist unless you can tell them exactly when you're leaving. I don't like
doing this, because I never really know when that will be. It goes against the
way I like to travel. I do know that I want to be home for Christmas this year.
But I was only going to get a 30 day visa for Thailand, and that would send
me home before I wanted, and also keep me from travelling to other countries
in the region. The solution was to buy a ticket from Bangkok to LA, leaving
in 30 days, and then change the date as soon as I came through customs. That
would allow me the time to head across Cambodia, into Vietnam, and back into
Bangkok before flying home just before Christmas. The authorities in Australia
seemed to care a bit more about it then the ones in Thailand. Either way, I
crossed into thailand without any problems. Another stamp in my passport.
But before I got even that far, I was given a glimpse into the Thai way of thinking.
Out of the window of the plane as it landed, I could see a golf course. That
wasn't strange. Not at all. Golf is a common, global game. The odd part was
that the 18 hole course sat in between the two runways. Jumbo jets landing in
opposing directions on either side of the fairway. If that doesn't affect your
handicap, I don't know what would.
My first adventure came right out of the airport. I was prepared for the scam
artists right outside the gate who would try to get me into a limosine, or a
private taxi that would whisk me off to the driver's brother's souvenir shop
which was conviently on the way to my hotel. Thank you Lonely Planet for that
heads up. I walked right past them to the ATM and pulled out 5000 Baht. About
$125US. The public taxi ride was the adventure. For 400B ($10), I got a fun
death-defying ride along the highways of Bangkok. The humidity was thick, and
mixing with the heavy smog of the speeding cars driven by drivers who didn't
seem to ever learn the '3 second following distance' rule that I was taught
in driver's ed. Billboards lined the highway proclaiming the fabulous wonders
of everything from beer to sewing machines, to whatever it was that woman was
supposed to be selling holding that...thing. My driver didn't speak english,
so I couldn't ask. Though I tried.
I was dropped off on the corner about 50 meters from my hotel on Rambrutti Road,
parallel to the infamous Koh San road, but quieter and cleaner. The gauntlet
of pushy suit salesmen and kitch hockers that I expected didn't seem to exist
as I walked up the road. Or maybe they have learned that a backpacker just checking
into his hotel is not in the mood for buying and is just a wasted effort. Anyhow,
the hotel was just what I had hoped for and heard about. 400B ($10) a night
for my own room with an air conditioner, cable TV, a shower, and a toilet. But
it's BYOTP. Bring Your Own Toilet Paper. If you don't have any, it can be bought
for 6B/roll just up the road. Less than .25 cents.
As I settled into my room and prepared to head out into the city for an exploratory
walk around town, I discovered that I had brought the wet season with me. Not
that great Tucson, Arizona wetseason where it pours down fro half-an-hour and
then stops and the clouds clear away to let the sun evaporate everything that
just rained from the sky. No, the storms here begin more gradually, but turn
into the same fury. They last about 2 hours, and then taper off, leaving behind
a thick humidity and a grey sky that doesn't leave. I waited out the storm,
and then wandered out into the city for lunch.
I found it at a curbside cart. A little Thai woman cooked me up a filling plate
of Pad Thai with Egg, and 2 spring rolls for 40B. One Dollar US. It was healthy,
tasty, and hasn't given me the runs. Happy Days. :) I was determined not to
buy any souvenirs on my first day, but I made sure to take note of what I wanted
and where I would get it when the time comes. I'll have to send a few more of
my winter clothes home to make room though. But I have a feeling Christmas is
going to be a generous time for me at the ol' Dwan household.
One Night in Bangkok, and I like it. I'll be in touch.
"Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God."
--Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Props to my Peeps, and Peace on the Motherhship,
Chris