Allbright!!!When one door closes, hundreds more will open so when one adventure is left behind, a new one is about to begin. I left China behind by flying over Himalayas, didnt see Mt. Everest unfortunately :( Views were still nice and while watching outside from window, I was thinking how easily there still could be some tribes completely unaware of global world.
But Bangkok... First of all from quite dry chilly mountain air to the warm and humid climate, such a change but that's the way its going to be for next two months as the road will take around Southern Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.. When and where precisely, no one knows for sure!
Bangkok was my first touch to Thailand and one thing I noticed immediately is that people are much more friendly than in China and prices also cheaper. I stayed in Loftel 22 hostel, a really nice and clean place with a convenient location... What was really ironic was that the hostel is close to Chinatown and my first dinner after leaving China was in Bangkok's Chinatown. But still it was good, street food in Bangkok is also amazing.
I met a Marielle, who was staying in same dorm than I did and we decided to do sightseeing together because of course I have to see the most important places in Bangkok. The Grand Palace was absolutely the number one thing to see... Even that it wasn't that huge as I expected, the amounts of decoration with so small details... wow! Then we went around some other temples, one of the most famous ones is .... and we were very lucky when entered there: It happened to be a birthday of some famous monk / abbot so there was lots of food stalls, and everything free.. Perfect timing for lunch!After we got super cheap Tuk Tuk ride... during the ride we realized why it was so cheap. During the tour we needed to visit in four different tailor shops and have a look inside.. that is because by bringing tourists in tuk tuk driver gets free gas coupon for himself. Good way to do business!
There is a place called sky bar in Bangkok, located in 64th floor very expensive place but views are amazing. There was a slightly problems when entering as shorts were not allowed, but no worries: there was a woman running a business by renting trousers, shirts, shoes.. whatever you needed, so I rented trousers in order to get into the bar. Another problem occurred as Marielle was wearing sandals so as we got out from elevator we were stopped as staff needed to call somewhere in order to confirm are her shoes okay... Luckily they did let us in "this one time only" as shoes were not completely in line with official dress code. Finally we got in after all and I enjoyed 18yr old Chivalry whiskey, paying around 600 Bahts (15e), to compare: I payed 3 night accommodation in hostel 750 baht or a normal meal on street food places costs around 40 baht.
Another day I met two locals (or actual Vietnamese). Tina and Anya at the hostel lobby who were working in cafeteria close by. At evening after they finished their work, we all went to Thai massage place. And believe it or not, its nothing like the idea of beautiful women giving a massage with happy ending... There were three a bigger, 40-50 yrs old women who twisted my muscles in a way that for a moment I thought my eyes might pop out (had quite much tension in muscles I noticed...). One hour body massage, around 3euros. Not complaining! Then some street food, small fried frogs and worms for snacks and noodle soup with chicken then. Yummy! Had a great laugh and time in Bangkok and from here Im flying to Ko Samui where I will meet up two friends to continue forward om the route together.Backpack on and good to go!
