Bakin' in Bangkok

Hello everyone! Or should we say สวัสดี !

Sorry for the lack of posts recently. With Beth's family being here currently we put the blog as a second priority hence the silence! We plan to write our Pattaya blog (a coastal city south of Bangkok) and a few Cambodia blogs in the next few days (we have some chilled pool days on the horizon) - so stay tuned!

19th - 23rd March

Miraculously Dan found a bag of clean, fresh, unworn t-shirts the morning of our Bangkok flight. Relief all round...

We arrived in Bangkok 8.30pm local time to be met by our very enthusiastic taxi driver who proceeded to photograph us with his 'Beth and Dan' sign. For proof of collection, for memories, who knows. We passed a hotel advertising 'soapy massages'; arrival in Bangkok confirmed.

Our AirBnB was in the TC Green apartment building with rooftop pool and gym.

We spent the next few days imitating potatoes. And it was wonderful. With a temperature of 39 degrees we were truly baked by 5 o'clock.

We ventured to the Peace Night Market just across the freeway from us. Risking our lives was worthwhile. The meat skewers and beer were delish. Dan was in his element and ate twice his weight in chicken (view chicken appreciation face below...).

Getting itchy feet we visited the Golden Mount. A hill leading to a temple with gongs and bells along the way. The view was amazing.

Looking like puzzled tourists, we were approached by a keen tuktuk driver offering to take us to a number of attractions.

We went to the 40ft Golden Buddha (unfortunately covered in scaffolding) and Wat Benchamabophit (a beautiful temple).

Our driver insisted on taking us to a local tailor. Surprisingly, we are not in need a 3 piece suit so we had a swift browse whilst dodging assistants eager for our armpit to wrist measurements. Successfully gaining his 'Esso' fuel coupon for bringing us into the shop, our tuktuk driver casually mentioned he wouldn't be able to get us to our apartment because of the traffic. But conveniently there was a subway close by.

After heated exchanges over price (we had bargained him from 2000 to 875 rupees), he cheekily asked for a tip at the end!

We returned to the night market and bought a Thai Green curry. This was the spiciest food we had eaten so far. With faces similar to beetroot and glugging significant amounts of H2O, we noticed the waiters laughing at us! They kindly gave us free rice to aid the volcanoes erupting on our tongues!

On the 23rd we left our AirBnB and moved into a hostel for one night. This hostel was boujee. By that we mean life-size unicorn statues, little cushion alcoves, Marilyn Monroe themed bathrooms and spaceship-like corridors. It was like entering a parallel universe. All this glam ended when we entered our room. Only measuring the length and width of our bunkbed, our room somehow featured a desk, chair and TV too. But it was quiet and private so no complaints!

Writing the blog with provisions!

What we have noticed:

- There are lots of cosmetic adverts and clinics. One read 'facial design'. Skin whitening products are also in every supermarket which we found a little upsetting. Girls take a lot of pride in their appearance and there is a definite 'doll-like' style. Particularly with the use of eye-enlarging contact lenses and cute lace dresses.

- David Beckham is big out here! Many adverts feature him, including one for spinach.

- Plastic bags are used for EVERYTHING. Even single water bottles or a snack bar. We always refused the bags.

- There is a more civilised driving style (although coming from India anything would be).

- The Thai people are so friendly, cute and genuine. Lots of head bowing. Such a lovely manner of being.

- Thailand has some very ripe smells! Stay away from the man hole covers, they have holes, holes are not a friend of your nose.

See you soon for our Pattaya blog!

Love,

B&D

- 40Ft Golden Buddha 40 baht each (90p)

- Golden Mount Entry 50 baht each (£1.10)

- Wat Benchamabophit Temple 50 baht each

- Peace Night Market food 480 baht (£11)

- Podstel Hostel (one night) 700 baht (£15) We chose this hostel because it is close to the Morchit bus station. We would recommend this hostel, cheap with lots of facilities nearby.

Lunch. Beth had salmon, garlic rice and lemon frappe, Dan had bacon spaghetti with holy basil and a latte. So tasty.