I have a love -hate relationship with Bangkok, perhaps that is a little too harsh as the love - hate relationship is basically with the Tuk Tuk drivers. They prey on people and literally take you for a ride. They are the kamikaze, blood sucking whores of the Bangkok roads. Having said that it is a welcome breeze as you fly through the streets, sidestepping trucks, cars, motorcycles, bikes,dogs and people. More later,I'm getting over it.
My day started out trying to get to Chinatown. It is not accessible by the sky train and that leaves you prey to the Taxi's. It should cost about 4 dollars to get there. The first taxi driver refused to put the meter on and said 300 baht - 12 dollars. I told him my roots were not blonde! Second one put the meter on and it cost 120 baht ....more like it.
I wandered through Sampang Market for hours - it is a massive sea of human life and a lesson in patience .
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| Getting prepared for Chinese New Year's |
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| Chinese lanterns with a WAT in the background. |
I had intended to look for some purses but when I asked I was told the cops took them - likely story as they had every other fake known to man.
The market had absolutely everything you could want - in many places tho you had to buy a dozen.
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| They look like prawn crackers but aren't - just massive amounts of these. |
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Every possible mode of transportation as well as people walking trying to maneuver through the alleys. Nobody gets upset, no horns honking, no yelling just smiles.
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| The dreaded Durian |
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| Fruit and food everywhere, even Bing cherries and apples. |
After Chinatown I thought I would walk to Asiatique - a night market by the river. The problem is that the roads do not go straight, many of the names were only in Thai script and it was 30 degrees. The first tuk tuk driver said 300 baht and one stop. I said, no stops and 100 baht -that was generous. They want you to stop at a gem store where they get a gas ticket for bringing you. Kind of like taking the lamb to slaughter because they are very forceful salespeople - well they use to be as I fell for the scam in 1991 and haven't been back. I kept walking and shortly another one came by. I told him I had lots of time to walk as the stores did not open until 4. He insisted that they were open now......anyhow, 100 baht later I was an hour early for the opening and the creep lied to get my business. Not a big deal in the grand scheme of scams. I was angry at myself for five minutes but soon got over it as the reality was I had nothing better to do.
London has the Eye and Bangkok has the Asiatique Sky. This and a Thai kick boxing theater are the entertainment at the outdoor night mall. I did not partake in either.
On the Thai flight from Dubai I was offered a drink - I looked at the blueish/purple one and asked what it was. The steward said Butterfly Pee, I took it and said to the women next to me that it was really good - she ordered one, asked again what it was and again he said Butterfly Pee. We just thought he was mispronouncing something. So, as I was walking around the market I spied Butterfly PEA dried flowers. They are the same flowers that make Blue Rice and it is delicious. The blue drink turns purple when lime or lemon is added to it. SO, come June in Collingwood I will be serving Butterfly Pea drinks to anyone who wants to try it!
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| I would have bought one but 12 was the smallest amount! |
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| People everywhere! |
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| An electricians nightmare and this is tame compared to some of the huge masses of wires hanging about!!! |
Sign in every hotel room and in most public places. The Durian, if not frozen, has a horrendous foul smell. It tastes like a grapefruit to me.
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| Breakfast buffet - fabulous! |
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| NOTE- JIFFY peanut butter.....haven't tried it yet as I'm a Kraft loyalist but may have to bend eventually. |
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| Egg station - she does well done over hard without giving me an evil eye!! |
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| Fruit, yogurt, meat,salads - they cater to every culture imaginable! |
I am slowly and I reiterate slowly getting a normal sleep pattern going. Was up at 4 this morning and am now off to the market of all markets - CHATUCHAK . Taking the skytrain as it took me an hour and a half to get by taxi back to the hotel last night......traffic was horrendous to say the least. Not once did anyone blow their horn, not once did I see any sign of people being impatient, no road rage. The driver was so nice and apologetic, he asked if I would rather take the skytrain at one point. The trip was less than 7 km but took an hour and a half.
Patience is a virtue and the Thai people excel at it.
