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11.07.2008
Different ways of arriving from Cambodia
Heidi took a bus from Battambang to the border, walked across to the Thai side, caught a Tuk Tuk to the next town six kilometers away and jumped on a bus to Bangkok, a trip that took all in all 9 hours. Of course, it was not as smooth as it sounds. So here are some details… The worst part of the trip was the hour from Sisophon to the border. The expression bumpy road is a complete understatement. The bus driver kept making jokes about it. To me, it seemed as if he tried to apologize for these appalling road conditions. When we...[more] Category: Thailand
12.07.2008
Mastering transport in a city of 7.5 million
No matter where you stay in Bangkok, you end up in a lot of different kinds of transports! The cheapest way to get around is the bus. With the help of a bus map that can be bought everywhere, it is relatively easy and can be quick if there is a bus lane. But yes! Traffic can be murderous in this city, especially around the evening when we thought it was finally cool enough to go out again. This is why we like the new Sky Train and the metro. They zip you around the city in air conditioned carts in no time. The fare depends on how...[more] Category: Thailand
13.07.2008
Heidi - Visiting Khao San Road after 22 years
My first trip through Thailand in 1986 started off in the famous Khao San Road. From there I traveled to other parts of the country, nine weeks altogether with one week in Burma. So I was very excited to return after 22 years, since I figured this place must have changed more than any other tourist haunt. Even then, in the mid-late 1980s, Khao San was already a pretty ludicrous backpacker ghetto. Nevertheless I enjoyed the cheap food, cheap beds and above all the company and advice from other travelers. This was the essence of Khao...[more] Category: Thailand
14.07.2008
Bangkok, a shopping Mecca
If you are into shopping, and no matter what you are looking for, Bangkok is THE place on this planet where you should be! Here, you simply can find just anything, from the cheapest souvenirs to Haute Couture, from old telephone spare parts to Ferrari cars, from illegal copies of the last movies to the latest laptop computer. The venues are beyond limits: you can walk your feet sore in the innumerous ultra-modern, beautiful, air-conditioned Shopping Centers. On Sukhumvit, near Siam Square, there are so many of them you can walk a...[more] Category: Thailand
15.07.2008
Limited sightseeing
After four days of strolling through shopping centers, markets, appointments with tailors, we thought it was time for some sightseeing. Not that we were not interested in seeing various Wats or more outdoor markets, but it was simply too hot! The only place we mastered was the Grand Palace and temple of with the famous Emerald Buddha. Unfortunately, the place only opens at 08:30 am and even then, it was already hot, hot, hot. Gilles had to borrow pants because his were only 3/4 lengths. Luckily, Heidi had brought a T-shirt, since...[more] Category: Thailand
16.07.2008
Bangkok’s attractions are diverse
Various people come to Bangkok for a mixture of reasons. For most, it is the start or end of a holiday on one of Thailand exotic islands with its unrivalled beaches. During this short period in town most people do a bit of sightseeing and some serious shopping in the numerous shopping centers or markets. Bangkok is also famous for it high standards in medical care. There is a dental clinic that is world famous and people travel here to get caps etc… for 50 % of what it would be in Europe. The other kind of “repair work” that the...[more] Category: Thailand
16.07.2008
Strange neighbors: Bangkok’s Red Light District & Little Arabia
Bangkok’s famous red light district, bars full of western men and Thai ladies, is just off Sukhumvit Road, in the upper area of Soi 4. Ironically, this naughty industry borders directly on “Little Arabia” in Soi 3. The shops, hotels and restaurants there are almost exclusively frequented by the many tourists from Islamic countries. The majority seems to be from the Gulf States though. For whatever reason, many stay in the hotels and apartments blocks on Soi 4. So every day ladies covered in black from head to toe, usually...[more] Category: Thailand
17.07.2008
Bangkok - Summary
We spent the last week of our Round The World Trip in Bangkok, which we both enjoyed and disliked… When thinking about Bangkok, these aspects will always stay in our memories: Congestions: we stayed at Woraburi Hotel deep down in Soi 4 where it was very quiet, but the intersection Soi 4 with Sukhumvit Road is a nightmare. It is congested with taxis, Tuk Tuks, street vendors, street kitchens, beggars and pedestrians. The noise from all these activities is superseded by the music from the bars.The heat: during the day, it was even...[more] Category: Thailand, Summaries
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