2008.01.16
Impressions
What can I say. This city is great, and because of the economy of Thailand, most things are cheap, at least for a tourist like me. After we flew in, we grabbed some late night dinner at a local restaurant near Asia Hotel. It cost us less than $4 a person, including a couple of large bottles of beers.
We took ferry rides to various places. An amazing experience. Ferry comes to the pier. Looking for the nice safe connection between the ferry and the pier? you won’t find any here. You just have to close your eyes (not recommended) and jump in. Now that you made it in, your safe. The nice wall by the entrance / exit will make sure you don’t fall in the river while it speeds across the river. Wait, you don’t see it? it’s not there? oh well, better hope you don’t fall into the river.
Another experience needed in Thailand – tuk tuks. Imagine a large motorized tricycle with seats in the back. Now imagine getting into that, and having the driver speed his way through traffic and people to get you to your destination. All along the way, you hear the load engine cranking away. Makes you feel like your in a James Bond film, trying to avoid some baddies chasing you.
We also went to Chinatown, and wow. I guess this is the closest it’s like to China without being in China. Imagine the streets being so crowded that you cannot even move. That’s not so bad? well, what happened to the streets/ err sidewalks, err.. it’s all the same!!!. A motorcycle. That’s nice. going zip zip weaving through the people. Wait, its coming straight for me. What’s that sound? Another one is coming from behind. i gotta move out of the way, but I can’t! Well it’s only a motorcycle. At least it’s not a huge truck trying to go through me. wait there is a truck trying to go through me as well. Aghh. someone help me. Quite an experience.
On a different note, the Temples, or Wats, in Bangkok are amazing. Just being there is enough for you be pulled into the culture of Thailand. Many of the sculptures are admiring the details put into the sculptures are amazing.
What we Did
Day 0
Check into Asia Hotel
Eat at Local Resturaunt
Back to Asia Hotel
Day 1
Skytrain and Ferry to Wat Po and the leaning Buddha
Walk to Grand Palace
Walk to Wat Phra Kaew and the Emerald Buddha
Ferry to Wat Rakhang Khistaram
Tuk Tuk to Wat Arun
Ferry to Chinatown
Sky Train / Subway to Lad Phrao Central Mall
Order tailored suits and glasses
Dinner w/ Byron’s relatives
Subway / Sky Train to Asia Hotel
Edit: 2008.03.09- Added a link to the photo album for this day.