Bangkok

Okay, so I re-read my last entry and I guess I kind of sound like a travel agent... Its because we done so much in those 2 weeks that I was trying to cram everything in, but I do admit it was kind of a bore to read- so I do apologize...

So at the moment it is about 1am, we are on a 14 hour train journey to a place called Chaing Mai in northern Thailand. Our train departed at 10pm and so far the battery on my I pod has died, Ive read too much of my book that I've got a headache, I am starving and try as I might, I cant sleep.... So it is going to be a long night ...

Other than my above moaning and feeling sorry for myself, the train is OK. We have each got our own bed with a curtain for privacy and we all have a top bunk which is near to the fan which helps as it is a tad stuffy. When we first got on the train it was extremely hot and we wished we had paid the extra and opted for the air con cabin, however that option was 200 baht more expensive and in this country that is 1 nights accommodation.... but in truth our 3rd class cabin for 680 baht (13 pound each) is pretty decent, and since the train started moving it is much cooler on here.

Anyway where was I... BANGKOK..... yes, it is a dirty, overpopulated, polluted city- but we loved it. As I mentioned at the end of my last blog entry, we had heard mixed reviews about this city, but honestly it wasn't as bad as I imagined...

We stayed in Koh San road, which is known as a backpackers haven- hostels/hotels and B&B's everywhere. During the day there is a lot of bustling and bartering going on as there is an immense amount of stalls and shops selling everything and anything. Of a night this road transforms, yes the stalls and shops are still present and even more stalls appear, so you can shop to the early hours if you so wish; But on top of this pastime, the nightlife is buzzing. Make shift bars appear on any vacant bit of pavement between the shops and restaurants, food stalls appear everywhere along this road selling a mixture of fruit, kebabs, noodles, rice, chicken, bugs- you name it they probably sell it. There are also a variety of weird looking characters walking up and down the road trying to sell whatever it is they are carrying. There's different music coming at you from every angle- Like I said buzzing....

And this is just 1 road, Koh San Road. We stayed on this road and paid 580baht (11 pound) between us, pretty basic, cold shower and only a fan but it was ok. If you stay on this road don't expect to have an early night in though as the music is pretty loud, however it does go off at 2am when the bars close. There are roads opposite and around Koh San Road that may suit older people or couples more as they are a bit more relaxed and quiet.
Okay, so that's Koh San road where we spent most of our evenings...

Next Tuk tuks- these are everywhere (remember to barter). When you first get to Bangkok, they offer you between 1 hour/ 2 hour trips around the city seeing several sights for as little as 5 baht each, that's 10pence. We were amazed at the price, but as the saying goes 'to good to be true'- yes exactly. Okay, so they do live up to their word, it really is that cheap and they do take you sightseeing around the city for up to 2 hours, "so wheres the catch?" I hear you ask.

Well during this tour the Tuk Tuk may stop at several shops, mainly travel agents and tailored suit shops. If you look around the shop for 5 minutes then the tuk tuk driver receives a petrol token, which is obviously worth the 2 hours of their time for the pennies that we pay for the trip. WE done this city tour and had free tuk tuk rides to places via this 'tuk tuk stop off arrangement' which suited us as we are travelers with time to kill and a budget; however, beware the staff in the suit shops can be extremely pushy and slightly intimidating- so be firm with them. As we are females though the staff (mainly men) were more interested in marrying us rather then sell us a suit.... We obviously declined their proposals..........

Also, Big tip- don't book any trips, Visa's or travel arrangements through T.A.T travel, complete rip off prices. You will find your hostels travel counter much cheaper.

MBK

If you love to shop, then a visit to MBK shopping center is a must, it is huge complete with 7 floors of interesting, useful and of course worthless goods. You can honestly spend a whole day there (even more if your a shop-o-holic). We spent more or less 2 days there, window shopping of course- we are travelers after all, but even if we didn't have a budget to stick to we have no room in our rucksacks in any case. There are also your regular entertainment places here, cinema, bowling, arcades etc... In addition there are several smaller shopping centers in the area surrounding MBK..... Sorry sound like a travel agent again don't I? oops...

We spent 6 days in Bangkok, which we feel was plenty, I think 4-5 would have been enough though. f you are a shop-o-holic, I recommend Bangkok as a last stop before you fly home so you can take loads of goodies home.......