Bangkok, the Big Mango

  Bangkok, as P would say, was a breath of fresh air after India, even if the city itself is huge, concrete and traffic – congested. We landed at midnight at an extremely modern-looking airport, quickly passed through passport control and baggage claim, withdrew money at the ATM, caught an AC-ed cab (in departures – cheaper!) for the 30 km to the city center and within 1 ¼ hour of touchdown were checked in at the hotel. How efficient. We dropped our bags and wandered throughout the intense Kao San Rd area, munching on some street food and nicely chilled beer. Bars welcomed with pounding music, people danced on the street, and taxi drivers and lady boy prostitutes alike waited for their drunk customers. As we turned in for the night at 4 a.m., the streets still pulsed with life beneath our windows. We were so exhausted it did not matter.

  The next morning, we moved to quieter Roof Garden Guest House on Soi Rambuttri (great value for the price). The steamy heat immobilized us a bit, but we still managed to explore the alleyways of Chinatown, in search of another great street dish. I have a feeling travel in Thailand will be all about the food; it is that good. We joined the party scene in the evening (it is the Big Mango, after all) with two other life-style changing seekers (hi, Dave!). A bit slow the next day, we still secured train and boat tickets to the divers' paradise of Koh Tao. To wile away the wait time, we gazed in wonder at the Buddhist temples of Wat Pho, so different from the Hindu ones, and relaxed in Lumphini Park. We also tried to obtain our visas to Myanmar (formerly Burma), but time restrictions did not allow it. Since Bangkok is the travel hub of SE Asia, we'll be crossing paths many times. Time for some open water diving. See you in Koh Tao!

Chinatown

Lumphini Park

Soi Rambuttri

Reclining Buddha