My flights to Bangkok consisted of three flights, starting in San Diego, Lax, Narita, and landing in Bangkok right before Midnight. By the time I landed, it had been exactly 24 hours since I left home. Yes, this is a long journey. I rode for "free", using my BP10 status, which all of you that fly with me know exactly what that means,,,if you decide to take your chances, and board last, you can basically ride for free, with only a few taxes added, and you will get what seats are left, sometimes great, sometimes not. I rode in business class on the longest leg, Lax- Narita with flight attendants working the flight that have been flying since before I was born. I am serious...one had been working for United since 1960.
Getting in to Bangkok that late at night, I'm always restless from the long flight, and as soon as i dropped off my backpack in my room at the Lamphu House, I went out to hit the streets in search of some late night street food
. Bangkok never sleeps...they're are bars open 24 hours, street carts cooking some of the best food you will eat while you are here, and even late night foot massage.
I wandered down to a spot that has some of the best Pad Thai I have found around here, and some plastic chairs and tables to sit and have your dinner while enjoying the great people watching.
The variety of travelers that pass thru Bangkok,and stay mostly in this area , Banglamphu, which is near to the famous Khao San Road, varies from the adventurous backpacker as myself, seeking a vacation off the beaten path, to the lonely older gentlemen seeking some of the younger, more than eager ( and not free) younger Thai girls, to the European families traveling with their children in starting them out with seeing the world as part of their learning education. Bangkok has it all.
I enjoy my Pad Thai, extra spicy please, and a cold Singha Beer , all for the cost of $1.75 US dollars. Eating on the street will spoil you. After a great meal, and that long flight, nothing sounds better than taking my beer over to sit in one of the many lounge chairs set up on the street to have a foot massage
. You can get an hour massage here for 180 baht..about $6. Talk about getting spoiled. I worked a massage at least every other day into my budget.
My plans are next to find a way to get to Ranong, a small town by the Burma ( Myanmar) border where I will start my journey.
The Travel part is always the challenge in traveling in foreign countries. But honestly can be the most rewarding part, finding a way, and appreciating it even more reaching your destination.
The island where I will start is called Ko Chang...its known as little Ko Chang, because their is a bigger, more well known island of the same name in the trat providence, closer to Cambodia. I heard about this place from a fellow traveler from Austria that I met last year in Laos. After meeting me,and knowing that I'm searching for something different, she recommend this lovely small island, and said it would be just what I was looking for. No cars, no ATMs ( so bring plenty of Baht with you) and limited electricity, basically only in the evenings. Sounds perfect.
The troubule is getting here. There is choice of a overnight train to a town close by called Chumphon, which arrives at 4 am, and then its a couple hour sit at a deserted bus station until a 3 hour bus ride at 7 am.Then theres a 10 hour overnight night " VIP" bus directly to Ranong, which arrives at 6 am ...( the first Ferry to the island is at 9;30 am) which means a sit there until the ferry. Or I could fly to Phuket, and take a 5-6 hour bus ride to Ranong, which means I wont make either ferry ( theres one at 2:30 also) and have to spend the night and take the ferry the next morning. None of these are Rockin choices. But a choice I will make, and for certain have a story to share with all of you after .
I start my journey tomorrow, i will let you know which route I choose :)
Eating Pad Thai at 2 am...
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Bangkok, Thailand
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1Eating Pad Thai at 2 am...
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2" No bus or Train for you! All full today!
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3Carrying a Wet Backpack...
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4Little Ko Chang..Undiscovered Paradise
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5Ko phayam- my own little slice of Paradise
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13Ko Bulon Leh- The Lizards just keep getting Bigger
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1413 Hours to Bangkok
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Comments

2025-02-09
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Johanna Foote
2011-01-27
Ahh, Elizabeth....this brings back wonderful memories from your trip last January..street food, cold chang beer~. I am so bummed I could not make this vacation with you. I am missing my morning Thai coffee:) Cant wait to hear your next choice of travel...overnight train, hummmm, without the cockroaches please!!!! safe travels
Bonnie
2011-01-27
Beth,
So another adventure begins.........I look forward to following your journey once again in Thailand! You tell such great stories and descriptions of where you are etc... makes me feel I am almost there with you :-) If I can only get the opportunity to travel(in the true sense) not just to Southern California LOL
I will sure know who the ask where, when, where to stay, what to eat? You have literally traveled the world, what most of us can only dream of
Luv ya
Bonnie
Tracey
2011-01-28
Hi Elizabeth!!! Im sooo jealous!!! I want to go!!! I look forward to a future trip!! Love reading about your adventure!!! Be safe I look forward to more!!!
phillip steidl
2011-01-28
Thanks much for your travel blog. I arrived BKK a couple days ago, and am on the way to Bali in a couple more. I came from HNL. Met someone on the flight from NRT who said the LAX flight was quite empty.You must have been on my flight on the 25th.- I lucked out with Economy Plus. I'm looking forward to more of your blog entries !
Sarah
2011-01-28
Mom - I am so glad you got business on your long flight! The banana pancake and pad thai look delicious! I miss you and am excited for all your blogs. Be safe! Don't get anything too crazy because I don't want you to get sick! Love you!