The taxi ride to our overnight accommodation was not what we expected. The streets were relatively quiet, and the heat not as unbearable as we had been led to believe. Driving into Bangkok everything felt familiar. (cars also driving on the left side of the road with the same speed limits as in Cape Town) A typical city at night. The only difference were the road signs on the highway in a foreign language.
One surprise was the street vendors and sidewalk cafes closing up for the night yet leaving all their furniture, equipment including large screen TV’s outside (something you would not see in Cape Town).
Our accommodation for the night was comfortable we could finally get some much needed sleep. (this was 1 am Bangkok time Monday morning 27th March after waking up at 6 am Cape Town time on Saturday the 25th.
After “one night in Bangkok” we woke up to light rain at 7 am on our first morning in Thailand. After morning coffee the Hanekoms took us into Bangkok City by taxi on very busy roads to do the necessary (exchange money, draw Baht from an ATM, get new mobile SIM cards etc.) in the MBK mall. MBK Shopping Mall felt to us like a typical “China Town” we shop at in Cape Town. Just 10 times bigger with multiple levels. The food court, like any food court in Cape Town, but mostly selling Thai food. There was a Burger King.
An interesting concept for us was purchasing a cash card for the food court which you swiped at the various stalls. This is handed in for a change refund after enjoying your food. It took us ages to decide what to eat as there is such a huge variety of food and taste experiences to choose from. The aromas of the various spices and dishes were amazing and our food was very tasty and delicious.
The highlight of the day was receiving a call from Quatar airlines to tell us that our missing luggage had been found and would be delivered to the apartment later in the day. With high spirits we took the Skytrain back to our accommodation.
The taxi to take us to the Bus Terminus was already waiting, but no luggage had been delivered yet! A nail-biting 30 minutes followed trying to track the Quatar Airlines driver and what a relief it was to find the suitcase had been delivered but to the apartment next door. We boarded the taxi re-united with our lost luggage.
Luggage dropped off at the Lomprayah (transport service) offices, we proceeded to Khaosan road in Bangkok where we enjoyed cocktails, Thai street food before boarding our overnight bus. Khaosan road is exactly as you see in the movies. Busy, bustling and vibey with all types of shops, bars, street vendors, markets and kiosks. Vendors are selling everything including scorpions on sticks to eat.
Khaosan Road BangkokWe were surprised to not be constantly hassled by the vendors as a smile and a “no thank you” was respectfully accepted. After enjoying cocktails (which were awesome) we walked up and down Khaosan road checking out all the stalls and then tried our first “street food”, Phad Thai, a stir-fried rice or noodle dish with chicken (or pork). Contrary to what we had been told, street vendors take great pride in their stalls (cleanliness) and the food they are preparing. It was delicious and very cheap at 40 Baht. It felt like you were eating food the vendors would have prepared for themselves at home.
Khaosan Road, BangkokWe also had our first experience of using public toilets which was also not what we expected. They were relatively clean.
Introducing the “bum shower” to clean yourself before wiping. This is a small handheld shower hanging next to the toilet which is used to clean yourself before drying off with toilet paper which should bw disposed of in a bin provided and not in the toilet bowl. This is common practice in all toilets (even in flats and hotels) and takes some getting used to.
We boarded the bus somewhat sad having to leave Khaosan Road as we would have loved to have spent more time exploring this busy interesting street. We would recommend spending more time if you can. The road really becomes alive as the evening progresses.
