When I approached the ticketing desk I reached a minor mini speed bump. The man couldn't figure out if I was planning on LEAVING Thailand because I fly back to the US from Siem Reap, Cambodia. I tried to explain that I'm leaving my trip very open-ended and that, yes, I will be leaving Thailand (I have to!) and eventually need to reach Cambodia because, well, that's where my flight departs! He was still confused and asked his supervisor who told him that it should be fine but my nerves were only heightened even more than they exponentially were.
I made it through security (the man took my yogurt, dammit!) and twiddled my thumbs in a completely crowded waiting area for about an hour and a half. My flight didn't leave until 1:15am so it was rough. The plane was absolutely filled to the brim with the added joy of about 10 babies on board.
....This will be fun. :/
For the first time in forever and ever I opted for a window seat because I knew I would want something to lean on for sleep. unfortunately the dude in front of me decided to push his seat ALLLLLL the way back, forcing my legs to reside somewhere around my chest... The leg room was tiny to begin with so having a snoring neanderthal (sorry, sorry I was tired and cranky!) in front of me was extremely inconvenient.
But despite all its inconveniences I managed to sleep 7 hours which I honestly can't even recall I was so out of it. I know I woke up with the WORST leg cramps though. Which my seat mate told me could be cured by eating ketchup. And then proceeded to give me a ketchup packet to eat. Yum.
We touched down in Taipei Taiwan and then proceeded to make the giant trek over to the connecting gate. We probably could have gotten the tram that connects the two terminals but the line was horrendous and the walk felt so good after 10 hours spent in the fetal position.
The 3 hour flight to Bangkok was much less annoying in that it was not even halfway full. I got an aisle seat with no one in the middle, watched Eat Pray Love to get myself in the mood (Cheesy, I know) and enjoyed yet another vegetarian meal provided by China Airlines- these guys rock! U.S. based airlines got NOTHING on foreign airlines in terms of service, I swear!
We finally FINALLY made it to Bangkok at 10am local time. I had been traveling for god knows how long at this point but in doing so I lost May 18. So sad. I made it through immigration no problem, exchanged my dollars into Thai Baht and bought a Sim card for my old unlocked iPhone 4s. I bought a plan through AIS (The Verizon of Asia) and for 590 baht (around $16) I got 4.5GB worth of data for 30 days plus 100 baht credits towards talk and text. CRAZY cheap!
I hopped in a taxi, gave him directions to my hostel, The Saphaipae Hostel and proceeded to spend about 45 minutes in my own personal video game. Those nail biting taxi scenes you see on "The Amazing Race"? Horrifyingly accurate.
We made it to the hostel and I prayed that I would be able to drop my bags in the locker in my room, even though check-in wasn't until 2:00pm and I had arrived around noon. But thank all things good, it was ready! I collapsed into my bed, semi-unpacked, and took a look around. This hostel is so so nice and even has laundry facilities, nice bathrooms and showers, free-wifi (spotty, but still free!), games, a breakfast buffet downstairs, a TV room...the list is endless! Plus it was all acquired for (wait for it) $11 a night! I can't get over these prices.
I decided that I wanted to make the most out of my first day and so I headed out into the throngs of busy Bangkok. After wandering around helplessly for awhile, getting my bearings, I wanted to head over to see a temple. Any temple would do. So I consulted my map and settled on Wat Pho.
I took a river bus which was so so cool! Passing by temples right and left, the river boat experience has been one of my favorites so far. I love how anyone and everyone takes this method of transportation from locals to tourists, laypeople and...monks?
Yes, even monks take the river buses!
Wat Pho did not disappoint in its grandeur and absolute beauty. For 100 baht ($3) I got to see a gorgeous temple, a GIANT golden Buddha (one of the biggest in the world I believe) and the admission even included free bottled water. Mind blowing.
Wat Pho did not disappoint in its grandeur and absolute beauty. For 100 baht ($3) I got to see a gorgeous temple, a GIANT golden Buddha (one of the biggest in the world I believe) and the admission even included free bottled water. Mind blowing.
The reclining Buddha is absolutely giant! I couldn't get a photo of him all in one shot, that's how big he is! Incredible!!!
After Wat Pho I walked over in the scorching heat to the Grand Palace but I was really tired at this point. I can't even begin to wonder why, right?! :P I had been walking in the sun, dripping sweat, plus jet lag and walking miles and miles all over Bangkok and in the midst of all that I forgot to eat for awhile so it was just a bad combination. I went so far as to go inside the Grand Palace grounds but they told me I would have to rent pants and a top to go inside (customary when going to temples) and I just wasn't having it.
I decided I would come back another day and so headed back to the river boat, where I ended up taking the wrong river boat across to the other side but in doing so hit up another temple with an Australian bloke I met on the way over to said temple. I didn't stay long because I wanted to get back to my hostel more than anything in this world.
I eventually found the boat in the right direction and chatted with three Irish blokes whom I shared stories with of my life in Edinburgh. One of them was kind enough to give me 5 baht when I couldn't find the proper coin. :)
After exiting the boat I already knew how to get back to my hostel. I was very impressed with myself! And once back I immediately hopped into the shower. And let me say, that was one of the greatest showers I have taken in my entire life. My next ended anticlimactically and I passed out pretty early, weary from travel and such a great day out and about.
And with that I'll wrap it up but stay tuned for my next update on Bangkok!
Until next time,
Happy Travel,
Freckles <3
After Wat Pho I walked over in the scorching heat to the Grand Palace but I was really tired at this point. I can't even begin to wonder why, right?! :P I had been walking in the sun, dripping sweat, plus jet lag and walking miles and miles all over Bangkok and in the midst of all that I forgot to eat for awhile so it was just a bad combination. I went so far as to go inside the Grand Palace grounds but they told me I would have to rent pants and a top to go inside (customary when going to temples) and I just wasn't having it.
I decided I would come back another day and so headed back to the river boat, where I ended up taking the wrong river boat across to the other side but in doing so hit up another temple with an Australian bloke I met on the way over to said temple. I didn't stay long because I wanted to get back to my hostel more than anything in this world.
I eventually found the boat in the right direction and chatted with three Irish blokes whom I shared stories with of my life in Edinburgh. One of them was kind enough to give me 5 baht when I couldn't find the proper coin. :)
After exiting the boat I already knew how to get back to my hostel. I was very impressed with myself! And once back I immediately hopped into the shower. And let me say, that was one of the greatest showers I have taken in my entire life. My next ended anticlimactically and I passed out pretty early, weary from travel and such a great day out and about.
And with that I'll wrap it up but stay tuned for my next update on Bangkok!
Until next time,
Happy Travel,
Freckles <3