Finally in Bangkok

Where to start?!

So much has happened in the last couple of days. I'm here, finally, as you may have already guessed by the title. The journey across was so ridiculous in the end I'm going to mention it briefly and then forget it forever. I finally flew Wednesday night, after the flight on tuesday was cancelled. The airline said it was because of a hydraulics problem, but we know it was because there weren't enough people booked in on the flight to justify making the trip. So they didn't. Bastards. Anyway, once we actually got off the ground it was actually pretty good. We had loads of room, the food was decent (they even gave us metal cutlery, which I've never seen on a flight before) and the booze was free and plentiful, which was good because I had a nasty sore throat and needed medicinal whisky.

I'd met a few lads at the airport as well, who were in the same situation so we all decided to make the most of our hotel stay on Tuesday and got horrifically drunk on duty free Bacardi. Met a few lads from Morcambe on the plane as well who, like me, couldn't sleep, so we sat up chewing the fat, talking movies and drinking. We hit Oman at UK time 6am, and with a 4 hour wait headed straight for the bar. Then it was on to Bangkok, another 6 hours on a plane and we were there. The second flight was crap so I won't go on about it. The stewardesses were asleep in the back for most of it.

Bangkok

What do I say about Bangkok. Wow. Its a bit mental, but utterly brilliant. Its chaos incarnate in most places, with tuk tuk drivers continually propositioning you, even if you're sat down eating dinner, then when you do get in they do their damndest to take you to a jewelry store. They are my new favourite mode of transport though, and once you've arranged a price (which can be very low if you're cheeky enough to barter properly) they zip you to your destination like nobody's business. Its a great way to see the city as well, left and right you see glimpses down back alleys of daily life for the locals. We did go past a huge shanty town under a bridge which was quite interesting to see, wher people live in concrete tubes and on old matresses. Its hard to see, especially when you're not ready for it.

So much has happened its difficult to know where to start. Our hotel is cool, its a little more upmarket than a lot of the hostels and safe to leave our gear in, which is nice. I know a lot of people say you can live for no money a day here by slumming it, but I'm not here to slum it, I'm on holiday.

We ate locally last night from a little Thai place with tables and chairs spilling out into the road, people walking all over the place, right next to a road with tuk tuks, bikes and even a procession of old restored minis (they really love minis here). The food was amazing, probably the tastiest meal I've ever eaten. I had fried noodles with vegetables and a red curry, which was massive. I could only eat about half of it and felt terrible, because it tasted so good and the girl serving us made faces for leaving so much. If you'd have seen how much there was you'd have understood though. It all came to 640 baht as well, which is under a tenner. that's three people, two big dishes each with sides, and three beers. I love Thailand.

We've just done a trip down the Khao San Road (backpacker central) and for about 25 quid I've picked up a flashy Diesel(ish) watch, a charger for my phone (I left mine at home like a d*ck head), a pre-pay sim card, some decent flip flops for the beaches, a disposeable camera, and some treats for the boys in the form of voodoo key rings. (that's right Stef, I bought your ninja a little friend). Its real cheap here.

Last night we went drinking in the area around the Khao San Road, we got a little tipsy on buckets of SangSom, which involves pouring a bottle of locally brewed rum (that's right, rum, not whisky Stef), into a bucket, mixing it with two soft drinks of your choice, and is then presented to you with straws in it. Considering I've had a bout 12 hours sleep since Wednesday morning, and its now Saturday afternoon, the SangSom really helped see the night through ;-)

I've picked up a bottle for Dave too.

Thai massage is amazing (actual massage, not paid for sex). I thought the woman was going to break me, she was pretty rough and bent me into all kinds of shapes (still actual massage, I know it sounds like paid for sex but it definitely isn't.). afterwards I felt half a stone lighter, a foot taller and full of energy. I'm going to have another one tonight, and every other night if I have the option!

Tonight we're off to see a Muay Thai fight, looking forward to that. Tomorrow we're off to Kanchanaburi, where we will ride elephants, stroke tigers, see a waterfall, sleep in a floating lodge, and ride in some old train across the River Kwai. Apparently there's some famous bridge there.

For now, I don't think I'll be able to do Chiang Mai, which is upsetting, but worth admitting because to do it I'd have to run around like an idiot trying to squeeze it in. It sucks, but it does give me an excuse to come back here! Instead we've planned to go to Phuket for one night, then Kho Pi Pi (where the film The Beach was set) for four days, then to Ko Samui for four days, then to Ko Pangan where we have an air conditioned bungalo on the beach and a half moon party on Christmas Eve. Haw Yeah.

Anyway, I seem to have been writing for a long time. Not sure when I'll next get chance to write, as we're trying to cram so much into our days we don't often get chance. Guess you were right Kat ;-)

Anyway, love to everyone, I'm off for some noodles and another massage

Peace

Jim