5th Feb - Thailand Day 1: Bankok

Friday 5th Feb - (In Thailand)
Flight arrived local time 7.30am ish. We had connected in Mumbai and I think it must be a new flight route with Jetair as was not particularly organised! I was surpised at the security given it was a conecting flight. Once in Bankok after absolutely zero sleep I might add I found Johno again at baggage reclaim and we bought our bus tickets out of the airport (150 baht). The bus (A2) wasn't actually too bad although cold with the air con (my bain in life!), and took about an hour to the penultimate stop before the infamous backpacker haven of the Khao San Road. I sat right at the front with worrying little partition seperating me from flying through the front window in the event of an accident which was highly probably given dodgy taxi drivers who didn't think to indicate (in fact dont think I saw anyone indicate the whole time I was in Bankok), and the lanes on the motorway are completely ignored by all, unofficially becoming 4 berths wide! I witnessed the notorious reports of traffic volume from the Thai capital. But was good chatting to others on the bus. I realise many people have been to Thailand once or more times before.
I couldn't find the hostel / guesthouse (no such thing as hostels in Thailand but you know what I mean - my budget is the hostel equivalent!) at first, as it didnt match the number of road Lauren had told me, but then I saw a sign and asked at reception for the 3 'english' girls that she seemed to have no recollection of. I actually saw 'lauren' on the room list and went to her room to find it empty, which slightly worried me... I talked her into ringing Lauren on the mobile phone, and was relieved to her her voice although I had blatantly woken her. Later i found out Lauren had got her wires crossed and was expecting me tomorrow! But was great to see her after the distant communications. After some chit chat and catch-up with her and Lottie and meeting Emily for the fits time, I went to my main backpack to 'sort myself out' and my combination padlock decided not to work! Not the best time considering those that know we understand I get just a little grumpy when tired! 2nd time unlucky in a week with combo padlocks and I had already had to post one back to lifeventure before I left. We took it the lady on reception who had conventiently but with many smiles and rapport had forgotten she had agreed to a room for the girls at 900 baht insead of the usual 1000, and although she wouldnt renegue, she had the magic touch as far as the padlock was concerned and it thankfully popped open being clamped with some pliers. I was at this point prepared to wander off and find another guest house because it was too expensive to get a single room (it was called Boworn B & B, 335 Phra Sumen Road just north of the Ko San, and she wouldnt let me join the girls in theirs, but shortly after we retreated to the room to discuss options, we heard a knock on the door and she said for an extra 100 baht I could also stay, which Lauren kindly sharing the huge double bed with her friends so i could get a good night sleep and delay the cozy sleeping arrangements for when i knew the others a little better!
We wandered out, went for breakfast in a street cafe, paying about 65 baht each, I had egg on toast and a cappucino. We wandered to the pier and got on a number 13 'tourist boat' from Phra Athit that was actually full of locals. We paid 13 baht each for our ticket for over half an hours cruise down the river, passing the shining gold Grand Palace.
We wandered the streets for a while, soaking in the vibe around where we disembarked at central and hailed a taxi to Chinatown, paying a measly 12.5 baht each. We didn't buy anything at Chinatown but it was just nice wandering around and popping in for a drink at slightly classier hotel with air con and a toilet (although STILL no soap - what is it with Thais and soap!). One of their staff looked down their nose at me - hey Im jet lagged did do I look that rough?! For some reason unbeknown to us, no taxi would take us to the stadium - the idea was then to take the sky train seeing the sights of bankok overland to luphini park to meet Jess, a friend of the girls. Perhaps it was because it was rush hour. But we landed on our feet, eventually finding a tuk tuk for 150 baht - my first taste of tuk tuk driving - and went straight to meet Jess in Starbucks. The whole tuk tuk experience was fun, especially considering with 4 of us Lottie- bless her - was sitting at our feet! The best part was the noise the tuk tuk made, its like dodging traffic as a giant bumble bee. We ended up giving him 160 so 40 each.
After starbucks (yeah yeah I know Im in Thailand but it wasnt my choice!), where I send Mum a text from the Thai phone to set her mind at rest I hadnt been hijacked or what not, we went to the park where I grabbed a coffee for 20 or 40 baht ( I forget!), where I was introduced to the concept of Thais exercising en masse via a loudspeaker. There were also many people playing badminton, just casually not courts or nets of anything. I think the whole healthy concept is an excellent idea. It was a lovely place to while away some time in the early evening even though the mozzies were out in force. Jess is over with CCD (Caring for Children with Disabilities) for 6 months as a volunteer and had to fundraise 2 1/2 grand to get out here. She seems a very friendly, happy person and I quickly warmed to her because she was so open and genuine and had the most loively smile too. At 6pm they played the national anthem over the loud speaker and everyone stopped whatever they were doing to stand and listen. Slightly embarrasing moment where us english were the only ones to stand when it was only the warning count down - a bit like radio 4!. I was struck at the discipline - a young boy was the only one who seemed to mildly distract from following this ritual, bending to pick something up. The sort of moment of solidarity we only really have on memorial day but for Thais is a daily or perhaps even twice daily occurance.
I am surprised I have lasted all day and do not feel too terrible. I think there's always a sense of 'will this live up to my expectation' too and the culture shock of going from freezing snowy conditions to sticky heat. Cause Bankok is definately sticky. But even with the pollution and hecticness it is more pleasant than London precisely because it lacks the cold and rain. We went on for food at 'Pizza Company' in Siam at Jess' suggestion - a huge modern 'centre of fashion and shopping' as it sells itself. It lived up to ita name But by this point I really just had enough and wanted to go 'home' although it was an amazing place, with an entire floor dedicated to every culinary delight imaginable in a vast area dedicated to food for the richer Thai and wealthier tourist. I literally didnt have any more energy to do anything so sat on a bench. Lauren started eating hers upon her return and somehow managed to drop the whole cake onto her bare foot! This jolted me out of my semi comotose state and inbetween giggles I rescued her treat with the skill of a surgeon. Ironically it was not the cheesecake she had orignally thought and so I ate it all up yum yum. Trying to dismiss the fact it had indeed made contact with her foot. Nuff said.
I fell into bed gratefully after a nice shower. Sigh.
Money spent: Bus 150 baht, 65 baht breakfast (egg on toast and cappo), 13 baht boat, 12.5 baht taxi, 40 baht tuk tuk, 40 baht coffee, 3000 for organised trip (overnight bus to Surat Thani, ferry to Ko Phang Yang, accomodation 4 nights, then return sleeper train from Champon to Bankok), 210 food eve (cant remember what!)
TOTAL: 3530.50 / 70.61
Most enjoyable thing: The whole day was really great - wandering, tuk tuk, park, meal and deserts at Siam.
Worst thing: Knowing I had gone so long without sleep
Most random thing: Eating cake that had been on Laurens foot...