Confessions of a Dangerous Blogger:

I’m really starting to like this place. It’s charm wasn’t apparent at first, but gradually I can see the enticement. First, it’s the availability of everything. Everything is out there, to be seen or bought. The rich food, the sights and sounds, the dazzling lights. Then, you start to count your dollars and realize just how cheap things are. Then you meet some Thai people and experience their kindness and their simple outlook on life. And at this point, you really just want to stay and prolong the experience as much as you can.

So that’s how I feel after today.

I had planned to get on a bus today and go to the beach, but I happened to meet a group of South African tsunami survivors. Their bungalow on the beach was hit by the wave and they almost died trying to get out. I joined them to visit some temples and shops and was amazed by the fact that the whole time, they kept making jokes about everything. Maybe it’s a South African way of dealing with disaster and the fact that they lost all their posessions and almost lost their lives. But it was a great day and I hope they can finally enter the water again some day.

The temples were very beautiful and it was nice to do a bit of cultural exploration, but myself preferring the social exploration I decided that night time would be devoted to finding a place where Thais hang out. So I went to Khao San Rd, a place similar to Hongdae in Seoul, filled with bars, restaurants and clubs.. oh and lots and lots of young people. It was great. I met some nice people and saw a little bit of the Thai nightlife which didn’t involve fat old men with young girls.

Sadly, tomorrow will be my last day in Thailand. I’m a little sad at this, cos I feel like I haven’t really seen enough. Oh dear.

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Hello from Thailand! I have survived a night here in Bangkok and I’m trying to survive my second. The first night was an interesting experience, but now I’m experienced and I’m not going to get ripped off again. Well I hope not. If you thought cabbies were bad in Seoul or wherever you’re from, really think again. Come here and they’ll take you so many interesting places and bargain the whole way for a special deal that you’ll get a headache. But hey, we’re talking a few dollars here so I’m not too worried.

My tour guide picked me up from the airport and took me to the hotel and that was it for him. Not wanting to stay there, I quickly showered and headed into town. A little bit of research told me to head to Sukhumvit. The doorman advised a rickshaw thing would be faster so I grabbed one and headed out. After about 5 minutes of riding, he pulls over and shows me a card with various shows I can see ‘pussy smoking cigarette’, ‘girl and boy sex’ and such things. I told him “I want food.” Ah I know a good place he says, food then massage. “No just food”. He then takes me to a thousand expensive resaurants and tells me that Sukhumvit, the place I am begging him to take me, has no food.

Anyway, I finally did eat and I did get to Sukhumvit after a few hours. And I should note, it does have food and many other things, namely bars full of prostitutes, but generally it’s a nice place with department stores and upmarket hotels. My guess is that the rickshaw driver doesn’t get any commission from those street restaurants and that’s why he didn’t take me there. But it was a good tour of the city, even with all the arguing. I’ll attach pictures of all of the above when I get more time.

So it’s been a good trip so far, I have enjoyed the food immensely, so good that I can spend only $3 for a whole meal and be completely full. Today I had Char Kuai Teow (flat stir-fry noodles and beef), with Sushi, a plate of fresh fruit and a drink of ice milk tea for 100 baht. That’s less than $3 and it was really delicious. I can really see how people can stay here for a long time. I will have to save up my money and return again for a longer stay.

Gotta go now and enjoy the rest of my night. I’m trying to find a place where young, regular Thai people hang out and go to clubs, but every time I ask a taxi driver that he takes me to a massage parlour.

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