Well I'm back here and this time I've discovered a whole other side to
Thailand. The non-tourist, Thai version of Bangkok.
I'm staying in an apartment block that's maticulously clean, there's a
cleaner sweeping the tiled floors, wiping banisters and walls and
ensuring there is no litter all day, everyday. For this I'd pay ...
140 baht (£2.30) a day, which includes air conditioning and a spotless
apartment big enough for a couple to live comfortably.
I've learnt that 100 baht for a taxi (which I previously had believed
was a good deal for a 5 minute journey) is a complete ripoff! 35baht
(50p) will get you 2KM on a taxi meter. I guess you live and learn.
I've been eating at roadside noodle bars, which at first some may find
visually unapealling (a glass booth with a stove and plastic garden
furniture to eat off), but if ever you get the chance, eat at one of
these! The food is incredible. And there's an added bonus, the most
I've paid for one of these great meals is ... 75baht (£1.25).
I've also experienced every form of public transport Bangkok has to
offer! Bus, Underground (London could learn a LOT from the Thai tube
system), BTS Skytrain which is basically a citywide monorail, very
fast and the maximum fare is 50p and finally van buses, which are
basically open back vans that you flag down, jump in and pay 15baht to
the driver once you reach your destination.
Staying in the non tourist region of Bangkok was at first a little
intimidating. For the 15 days I stayed on Soi 77 of Ram Intra, I
didn't see another foreigner. A refreshing change after I aclimatised
to being the minority.
Thai people, from my experience here, are the friendliest people I
have ever met. The lady who owns our apartment block brought me a
basket full of treats to my apartment for my Birthday, people always
have time to assist with directions or help finding a place and the
general attitude Thai's adopt is one of 'mai-bpen-rai. No problem'.
Lets say you go to McDonalds and your food takes more than a couple of
minutes, in England there'd be an almighty fuss (I witnessed this only
the other day when an English woman got all stressed that the guy
behind her got his food first). Here people refrain from getting
annoyed over petty things such as this, after all your not starving
and when your food's ready, you'll get it. 'Mai-bpen-rai'!
After enjoying Bangkok it was time for me to head home.
I'll definately be coming back here, Thailand is a great place.
Whether you want a chilled out holiday on the beach, a part packed
break or a city vacation, Thailand really is the place to go.
London here I come... Great...
Brad
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