Bangkok, day 3
I’ve been writing this continuously in my phone for two days soon, and it covers my third day in Bangkok, so enjoy it in all its unedited crudeness (day two will hopefully follow in the coming days, including Singapore adventures)!
“Okay, this is just stupid. We’ve been stuck in a traffic jam for a looong time, and it doesn’t look like it’s gonna get better any time soon. So I’m just sitting in a non-airconditioned bus dying slowly from all the air pollution. I would’ve walked since it would have been quicker, but Ploy’s friend apparently has stomach issues today, and doesn’t have the energy. Nuch was great yesterday though when it came to walking, I seem to have converted her!
Day started with going to university with Nuch at 10 (who had class at 11), where we ate breakfast (something omelet-like). I then continued according to plan to Golden Mountain (which was closed yesterday evening when we got there) with non-airconditioned bus 47.
Golden mountain was really impressive itself and also offered a superb view of the city. I then walked to the statue of King Rama V (I think), several times on the way being approached by “friendly” tuk-tuk drivers trying to rip me off, one even having the decency of calling me idiot when I declined his offer. It turned out however that (God it’s impossoble to write on a moving bus, though I guess I should be thankful it’s moving at all) Nuch had to go to an appointment in the afternoon, so she couldn’t meet me at the statue at 13 as agreed, but instead sent a mutual friend from the conference in Poland (Ploy), who also brought a friend of her own.
Together we went to the largest building in the world made from golden teak (the king who built it 100 years ago sure must’ve liked teak), which was part of a fairly large collection of buildings, each one a museum in itself requiring you to take off your shows and lock your bag, camera and everything in a locker.
Then went by tuk-tuk to a temple, which was very nice (prefer that to mansion, though most temples look the same), and then most aweful bus ride of my life so far, namely by non-AC bus in rush hour. We didn’t move for like ever, and it took 2 hours to get to the place where we were going to meet Nuch (shopping mall some way from the centre), where we had to wait and failed to use karaoke in the meanwhile. Went to restaurant where Nuch joined, then karaoke (special coins needed), then went with Nuch around market, and home via subway/night bazaar/king statue/silom road/taxi (no bus). Home around eleven, pack and stuff, up at 5.30 today (alarm no ring – Shanghai flashback), bus no arrive so had to take taxi.
On public transport in this city: since it’s impossible to actually predict when a bus will arrive due to frequent traffic jams, they simply don’t have any timetables, and thus you have no choice but to wait and hope for best.
Actually a bit nervous about cheap Asian flight, will simply have to wait and see. Also feels stupid to pay 4 times regular prices at airport for food. Really like all the random food stalls on street in Bangkok. Have felt like home thanks to Nuch.”
So that’s it. All written in the phone as a memory aid to myself mostly, and thus only key words on occasion, but I figure it’s better than nothing at all.
And now, goodnight!
