Lost in MBK...

MY little home away from home. Air con and hot showers, what more could I need?
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Aaaand back in Bangkok once again.  Its finally starting to grow on me...right, who am I kidding?  Its hot and extremely humid, the air pollution is choking and everyone sees us westerners as walking ATMs.  But it has its moments.  For a break I decided to head to the shopping complex know the the MBK (Mah Boon Krong).  Its not that terribly big but it makes up for its lack in size for the sheer density of the shop inside.  Each shop is on average 2-3m across if that and very shallow.  But each shop is completely CRAMMED to the roof with whatever it is they're selling.  Each floor is divided loosely into categories, the most impressive (and bewildering) being the cell phone floor.  I'm not even exaggerating when I say that was at least 250000 cell phones for sale.  Not all different but the selection was incredible.  Its not like back home where each company has five or six models... with only a few manufacturers.  Here the phones come in every shape, size, color (gold plated RZR anyone?) and nobody signs contracts, its all refillable sim cards.  Plus what the phones can do is just as impressive.  IMing, SMS massaging, bluetooth transfers from phone to phone, it goes on and on.  The clothing stores are pretty reasonable, especially considering the brands you can get (genuine? hardly).  I picked up a few shirts for a decent price to replace my dingy travel duds, as well as one or two nice shirts.  For a well deserved break I headed up to the food floor for my first taste of a real, brewed coffee.  Aaaah!

Me trying to be arty.
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After heading back to my hotel ( 450bt) I relaxed and enjoyed the air-con which was nice for a change.  Later I headed out again to book my ticket for a bus to Cambodia. NOTE TO TRAVELLERS GOING TO CAMBODIA!!!:  Don't use the tour booking agencies scattered around the Hualamphong train station!  Take a taxi/tuk-tuk to the government bus station and buy the ticket yourselves!  I paid 720 baht for my ticket, but some people on the bus paid 1000 baht EACH for the same ride.  One guy on the bus (Canadian) got his ticket for 250 baht. Note #2:  When at the border, DON'T change any money no matter what anybody says about the rate, ATM availability, or whatever.  Likely the first town you'll stay in is Siam Riep, where the shops will take anything.  US,Thai, and Riel are all welcome; money is money!  Plus there are many ATMs in town as well as FAIR money changers.

NOTE TO TRAVELLERS GOING TO CAMBODIA!!!: