After 20 hours of flight time and a layover in Tokyo we finally arrived in Bangkok. We were greeted by the ultramodern, shinny new Don Maung international airport. After a quick pass through immirgration we were handed visa and ready to venture into Thailand.
Thanks to Monique we had a hotel pre-arranged. Typically I wait until we get to our destination end up spending hours hauling our backpacks in the hot sun looking for guesthouses. After our long flight I’m definitely glad we had a place to lay our head.
Oddly I feel much more at ease in Bangkok than on our previous visit. Not to downplay the energy of this Asian metropolis of 6 million people, but things seem a little more chilled out. The traffic seems less congested, the tuk tuk drivers a little less aggressive and the streets less crowded.
On our first full day we spent the day exploring the backpacker’s nieghborhood of Banglamphu. We’re a few blocks away from the infamous Khao San road in an area border by the walls of a temple. The bordering temple gives this enclave a more intimate feel. The area is filled with guest houses, food stalls and vendors selling any amenity that a backpacker may need to buy. It’s fair to say that you can show up with absolutely nothing and be fully outfitted with everyting they need for an extended trip to Asia.
After Bangkok we’ll slowly make our way north to the cultural center of Chaing Mai before heading back to Bangkok to met up with some more travel partners.
