bangkok take two

"t-shirts, get your t-shirts here!"
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We wandered the streets around Khao San road until just after 12am trying to find a cheap room, that also offered a hot shower and no bugs! After getting used to the prices of Cambodia (triple room for $12) we were very reluctant to part with our $10 each per room, but soon tiredness and frustration got the better of us and we settled for a room at a place called Four Sons Inn. We got a room with two double beds, hot water and no window, and went straight up to shower and crash for the night. Oh, and the bug free thing turned out to back fire at us as I came home one day to find the biggest cockroach of my life trying to take over our bathroom!

poor little fellas
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The next day we grabbed some breakfast on Khao San Road and then made our way to Chatuchack, the weekend market. We grabbed an overpriced tuk-tuk, for the convenience of not having to wait for a bus and zipped our way in and out of traffic there (the tuk-tuk there was 150Bhat, the bus back was 7Bhat each, you do the math!). As far as shopping and markets go Chatuchack is simply awesome! We split up and spent hours wandering down the hundreds of alleys looking at what was on offer. When we met up the first time both girls had gone a little mental with their purchases, with bags inside bags, while I was yet to buy anything. Instead I had been content with wandering round, eyes wide open, trying to get lost. The only sore point was the animal section of the market which housed loads of puppies, kittens and tiny squirrels, all looking so sad in small cages and with hundreds of hands running over them. By the end of our time there we were all hungry and carrying a number of shopping bags each. Chatuchack is an absolute must for anyone heading to Bangkok with a desire to spend some coin.

As far as shopping and markets go Chatuchack is simply awesome!

people walking past a puppy stall
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That night was spent on Khao San road, holed up in a bar watching the football, well at least I was, the girls were happy to wander the stalls making more cheap purchases. Man United did the damage against Man City and then it was time for bed.

Sunday was another shopping day (it's why we had left a couple of days in Bangkok at the end of our trip!). This time we made our way to MBK shopping centre near Siam Square. Be aware though, we grabbed a meter taxi there for 47B, but then coming back all the taxi drivers refused to use the meter, instead asking for 200B so we were forced to get a tuk-tuk for 100B! Karen and I had remembered good things from this mall from our last trip to Thailand, however, we had either a poor memory, or, what is more likely, is that Chatuchack had blown our mind and left MBK looking like a poor little brother. After an hour apart we had all had enough, the purchase were definitely not running as freely as the day before, and a lot of the prices were hiked up to what we had seen at Chatuchack. We grabbed a bite to eat and then hit the cinema for a cheap movie. There was literally nothing showing so we were forced to see Spiderman 3, not what I had had in mind and the only thing that got me through it was the guy behind us randomly yelling out funny things.

the sun beats down at Chatuchack
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That night we met up with Matt and Sarah and enjoyed dinner and ice cream with them, hearing all their stories and sharing some photos. It was both of their first time to Thailand and they had fallen in love with the place, as does everyone! After dinner we all made our way down the street in buying mode, after cool cheap t-shirts. Then we parted ways as it was their last night together before Matt came back to Japan with us and Sarah went back to London.

Lisa, Karen and I wandered the streets a bit more, before I found a seat to watch the end of the Chelsea vs Arsenal game. I supported Arsenal for maybe the first time in my life, and was actually rewarded with them holding Chelsea to a draw and in doing so making sure United secured their first title in too many years!!

Khao San road
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At about 12 we decided to head home and see if Nick, Ollie and Muga (who had been travelling around Myanmar) had shown up yet. They had asked us to book them a triple room somewhere, so we had got them a room at our place. We were informed they had arrived but had gone out already. So we decided to have one last look for them, and walked up and down Khao San road looking out for three tall guys, but alas to no avail. We went back to the guesthouse feeling slightly dejected and wrote a note to leave under their door. But, just as I was about to push it under, Nick walked out of the elevator, having decided to give one last check if we were back in our room! Back of the net! So the next two hours were spent sharing some drinks with them, and hearing their tales of the fascinating country Myanmar. But, before long 3am rolled by and common sense kicked in and we decided it was time to hit the hey as we had another early start ahead of us, and if we stayed out too much longer we would be looking at an all-nighter.

Lisa and Karen enjoying yet another night on Khao San road
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Travel back to Japan was fairly unadventurous. None of us were ready to go back, but that's always the way isn't it?! We again had a long day involving a taxi, three flights, a bus, and a car ride back home to Takeo. We finally rocked up to our apartment at about 11.30pm having been on the go since something like 5am. Needless to say, the next day at school was a killer, and all of us were in much need of a holiday!