Walk around the block
The malls along the main drags are all pretty high end affairs. They have doormen at the entrances - everything from Van Cleef & Arpels to Gucci to Dior, Rolex, Cartier .... like Bloor Street on steroids. The malls here make Yorkdale seem small. Instead of sprawling though they go up and up and up! Today I did the block in the other direction. From Google Maps I could tell what side of the street I needed to try and be on. It sounds odd but crossing the street here is a challenge. They drive on the opposite side for starters and there is no real sense of order. Cars, tuks-tuks and motorcycles have priority over people. No crosswalks, very few lights and even fewer walk overs. My plan of action at each crossing is to just keep moving forward in the direction of travel - no stopping as they can predict where I am headed and dodge me easier than I can dodge them. So far it's worked. It took me about 40 minutes to walk up to the major intersection - luckily I was on the right side -- thank you google maps! Walked past a huge gas station with a McDonald's. Nothing really, until I walked another 20 minutes and came across a Big C one one side and a Tesco and Decathlon on the other. I spent about half an hour + in each store . Big C and Tesco are kind of like a Walmart. Decathlon is a version of MEC. I love it - I think it is a French chain, well that is where I first discovered it. Bought a few shirts as this doing laundry in the sink is a pain. I noticed on the retreat website that people had small backpacks on their morning walks - probably full of breadcrumbs to mark the path for slow walkers. I don't think I am a slow walker but in this heat I do pace myself. I also bought a small backpack and I plan to carry water and a loaf of bread!
Walking back was a little more interesting as I went through a huge area of Japanese stores and restaurants. Turned on my wifi at one point just to make sure I was on the right track. Made it back to Sukumvit about 5 ish. I had been walking since noon. I was tired and hot! The street was filled with food carts and I spied a lady with spring rolls!!! She cut them with scissors put them in a styrofoam container along with a wooden pick and a little bag of sauce. Stopped at 7/11 and got a pepsi - dinner!!!
A view of the street from a walk over - the only one I came across. So you can see how it might be a challenge to cross the street.
Came across this in a small outdoor mall on my way back,
A spot for dogs as there is very little green space available for them.
All stores, malls, hotels, apartments, restaurants have men on the street that stop the traffic for cars to get in and out of their establishment. Today the guys at the corner we dressed like this - only 35 degrees!!!
Going for a massage at 4, need to pack and be ready to go as I am getting a taxi to the airport at 4 am.......looking forward to the beach!
Next stop Ko Samui!
Walking back was a little more interesting as I went through a huge area of Japanese stores and restaurants. Turned on my wifi at one point just to make sure I was on the right track. Made it back to Sukumvit about 5 ish. I had been walking since noon. I was tired and hot! The street was filled with food carts and I spied a lady with spring rolls!!! She cut them with scissors put them in a styrofoam container along with a wooden pick and a little bag of sauce. Stopped at 7/11 and got a pepsi - dinner!!!
A view of the street from a walk over - the only one I came across. So you can see how it might be a challenge to cross the street.
Came across this in a small outdoor mall on my way back,
A spot for dogs as there is very little green space available for them.
All stores, malls, hotels, apartments, restaurants have men on the street that stop the traffic for cars to get in and out of their establishment. Today the guys at the corner we dressed like this - only 35 degrees!!!
Going for a massage at 4, need to pack and be ready to go as I am getting a taxi to the airport at 4 am.......looking forward to the beach!
Next stop Ko Samui!
