Bangkok Remixed

In returning to Bangkok, we realize that Myanmar needs only a few years before it experiences the same level of western commercialism as Thailand. More thoughts on our overall impressions of Myanmar later, but we feel forever grateful we were able to experience the country before western multinational corporations (aka McDonalds, KFC etc) take control. 

The Glittering Grand Palace of Bangkok--like a fairytale!

Bangkok felt different the second time, more real, noisy and gritty, and less exotic. Len was feeling under the weather and lacked energy and enthusiasm. We’re not sure what ailment he had but he was not sleeping and eating as normal. Our hotel, which was more like a hostel, was not what we expected, was far from any transit options and it was difficult to communicate our needs as no one there spoke English. As well, our experience with taxi and tuk-tuk drivers was maddening, probably typical for tourists but frustrating nevertheless. A taxi driver from the airport could not find our hotel for starters. And we got scammed by a tuk-tuk driver who said he knew how to get us to our hotel but he really had no idea.

Despite this, we had a busy 3 days in this vibrant city. We toured the glittering Grand Palace, climbed Wat Arun temple and dined in a riverside restaurant. We took a tuk-tuk to Khao San Road (or backpackers road as it is also known) and wandered through the chaos. Eventually, on the recommendation of one of Len’s work colleagues, we found a quieter shopping/bar street where I had a cheap pedicure and we enjoyed a glass of wine while people-watching. 

Climbing Wat Arun -- never look down!

Our second day we were equally busy exploring a few major cultural sites and a mega shopping Mall. But the highlights that day were a decadent side-by-side massage (in a high-end salon but still ridiculously cheap), an excellent Pad Thai cooked fresh by a street vendor and a wonderful evening meal in a Spanish Tapas restaurant (we were, by this time, a bit tired of Thai and other Asian-style food).

We finished our Bangkok experience with a visit to the largest market in Asia. Chatutchak Saturday market is an endless maze of covered alleys, with stalls selling everything from clothing, household goods, pet paraphernalia, local art and handicrafts to the usual tacky souvenirs. Amazing---it was hard not to spend money and time there.

Khao San Road shopping/bar street

But we had a flight to catch and we were tired of the craziness of the big city. We were looking forward to a quieter side of Thailand...in the city of Chiang Mai.