Bangkok

Together the two foreign Canadians boarded their first trans ocean adventure. Not new at travelling, nay, but new with this side of the world. Excitements, anticipation, wonder, all bubbling to their surface of their young minds. What could happen next?

Plane ride to Shanghai went well, despite the strange odour from the man sitting beside us. We were welcomed by a red carpet, people staring at us, waving and holding signs, none of which had our name on them. The second flight we took landed in Bangkok and we walked outside of the airport bargaining with cab drivers; we got to a hostel by 11:45 pm.  We made it through!

The following day went to the largest market in Bangkok, which only runs on weekends. Here we literally saw EVERTYTHING you could want to buy EVER….and a whole lot you wouldn’t  ;) . Sharks, stingrays, chickens, puppies, monkey like creatures, lemurs, fridges, cars, music, art, books, clothes, astronomy gear, frogs, fried insects, eel on a stick, we’re talking everything. We even got to witness a cock fight and we ate a massive cockroach (were taking as big as my middle finger); it was … interesting tasted like grainy crab with a fish aftertaste... oh and Trav ate like 15 fried worm like things until he started feeling uneasy.  We left the market exhausted, slightly overwhelmed and sweaty. Decided to treat ourselves to a movie in 3D to discover an incredibly high tech theatre.

On day two we went to see the temples around Bangkok. Caught the sky-train and snuck into a monk school. Then got on a river ferry to Wat Pho to find out that it didn’t open until 2pm (it was noon).  We made a Thai friend who helped us rent a Tuk Tuk for 30Baht ($1) which drove us around for the following 3 hours… A tuk tuk is like a motorcycle with a built in cabin they swarm through cars and very very small spaces at unimaginable speeds. We went to our first temple and learned how to pray, then to the Golden Mountain where we climbed all 300 steps to a beautiful temple with a golden Buddha and a great view. The way up was decorated with waterfalls, vines and chiming bells with wishes. Finally ended at Wat Pho which is the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok and is home to the largest reclining Buddha which is 46 meters in length and 15 meters high and represents the passing of Buddha into his final nirvana. Ended the day by watching the sunset on the river.

On our last day in Bangkok we went to Siam Square home to numerous shopping centers and skyscrapers. It feels like taking a trip into the future.  We then ventured off into a nearby university that seemed more of a city than a campus. Every campus block was dedicated to a faculty and was reflected in the architecture and accessories (for a lack of a better word). Ended the day by taking a stroll by a park where we were surprised to find people doing tai chi, playing volley with their feet (which is a real sport here and they do the most elaborate pirouettes, we named it Kong Fu volleyball), dancing and working out in what looked like playground machines. Families, teens, men all working out and playing together.

 I’m in love with this city. Transport is effective, modern and cheap, we learned to use the sky train like pros; the people are beyond nice; the food is delicious and cheap.. $1.50 for a Pad Thai; you can find something to do at any time of the day or night, the city doesn’t sleep; and yet the way of living is so healthy and harmonious. 


more pics at:  http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151604224300476.462272.503055475&type=3