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“It is here we were first scammed (but not ripped off!!)” |
We arrived safely in Bangkok and yes the heat and humidity at 5am in the morning literally hit us. Must say the new airport opened here is very cool - a bit Southern Cross station style and very modern. Managed to get an airport express bus into the city - which was experience enough in itself - the bus took off with the doors still open and me nearly sliding off my seat towards it...
Interesting sites as we came into the city during peak hour - people travelling in the back of utes and often mum, dad and child on the one motorbike. Having made it into Banglamphu we knew the general direction to our guesthouse and found the street easy enough but not the guesthouse... We trapsed passed it three times I think and wearing jeans & long sleeves from leaving Melbourne we were rather hot and bothered when we FINALLY found a small sign leading us down yet another little alley to our place - not the last time we would be lost in these areas! Too early to check in we dumped our stuff and went for a walk to see the area and of course were bombarded with tuk tuk drivers wanting to take us on a tour of the city. Everyone thinks Mike is a pom!! Had our first taste of street food for 20baht (that is less than $1 Aus) and it was great.
Still hot and bothered were lucky enough to check into the room early and must say the place is very nice and clean and relaxed - and yes the air con is fabulous (Mike cranks it too high and it actually gets very cold)!! By the way it is only 10am by this time - feels like we have been up a whole day.
Showered, rested (sleepless night on overnight flight from Melbourne) and feeling much better - spotted my friend Mark from Perth wandering in the lobby of our guesthouse (the dreadlocks were the giveaway). Went and had drinks with him and 3 other travellers he had picked up along the way - decided Chiang beer is great! Rest of the night comprised wandering the touristy Khao San Rd (mix of kings cross, st kilda and the royal show) and then taking our first tuk tuk ride over the Patpong - the red light district of the city. Tuk tuk rides are great!! (note to our mums - we can't help it if they decide to drive on the wrong side of the road and manouvre in and out of traffic dangerously and there are no road rules...).
Patpong is also very much a tourist area and has a great night market - bought myself a "genuine" gucci watch and must say I bartered quite well with Mike's support doing currency conversions! So then..... we decided being in the area we would go to see one of the infamous "ping pong" shows. It is here we were first scammed (but not ripped off!!). We were poached from the bar we were at and told buy one beer each and we could go in. We should have known that this would not be the case but foolishly believed the guy! Once inside the manager demanded payment for viewing her girls and we said no that was not the agreement. Mike and I said we would leave our beers and go immediately. The other 4 friends realising we wanted no part of this scam also left (Nathan kind enough to grab our beers on the way out afterall).
Tuk tuk back to the area we are staying after what seemed like the longest day ever - and slept very well on very hard uncomfortable bed and pillows!
previous travel blog entry
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