Lookback: Thailand (2012)
In 2012 I backpacked through Asia and in this lookback series I'll take you through some of my experiences. First out is Thailand
In 2012 my work was ending, as they were shutting down my division. I had turn down the offer of a new position, in the new country my division was being moving to and decided to backpack through Asia with the money I got, as they terminated my work
The idea to backpack came from some of my colleagues, in the beginning there was a lot of us going to backpack through Asia and one by one they all backed out. I decided I would go either way and at the end, I was the only one who actually went (no regrets)
Lookback series
As most of us still have heavy restrictions when it comes to travel. I'll do a lookback series on Sundays, to different destinations. These can be all from countries to stores
As many of the photos are around 10 years old, they might not be as high resolution and level of quality we try to stay at today
Light travel
As I wanted to avoid checked in luggage, I spent a lot of time trying to find the perfect backpack I could use day in and day out. Most backpacks I found was big and design for mountain climbing (not that weird, considering I was in Norway that have lots of mountains)
Pack list:
- Haglöfs Backpack [40L+]
- Micro Towels [Medium and Large]
- Sleeping Bag Liner
- Money Belt
- Wallets x2
- Plastic Bowl and Cutlery
- Toiletry Bag
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Clothes
- MP3 Player and Headset (Not the one on the picture, my brothers dog destroyed it just before departure)
- Travel Adapter(s)
- Travel Guide: Lonely Planet: Southeast Asia on a Shoestring
- Documents [Passports/Medical card/etc]
Bangkok: First day
Then my first day in Thailand is at is end. I arrived this morning around 10 AM local time, after a long flight. Which I have to mention was more luxurious than I would expect it would be. I was going with a cheep ticket (about €450 one way) and got meals, drinks (including alcoholic beverages), toiletry equipment (toothbrush, sleeping mask, earplugs and travel socks), and there were a pillow and blanket waiting at my seat when I got onto the plane.
After getting out of the Airport I grabbed a Taxi that took me to the Guest House I’m currently staying at. After I dumped my luggage I headed out with a Tuk-Tuk (pronounced; took-took), got my self a tailor made Shirt, a hear cut and lot of sightseeing in the neighborhood. I even managed to get the broken glass repaired in my watch.
Tomorrow morning at 9 AM I will be picked up by a private sightseeing tour to see some the local spots.
Bangkok: Guided Tour
Today I started the day with a Guided Tour I arranged yesterday at the airport, which is the biggest scam I have ever encountered. I paid about 660 bath for the tour that stated it included ‘temples and city tour’, doesn’t sound so bad or what? The temple guide was okey, even if I was paying for a guide who said 1-2 words the entire temple tour that I couldn’t read on the signs. Afterwards the city tour started, and I cant say it was anything near what I was expecting it was supposed to be. It was visiting to different jewelry stores, which in between they squished in a visit to the headquarters trying to sell me more packages, which the lady was advertising from the moment I entered the car to the very end when we parted.
The rest of the day so far have gone to walking around the area and visiting the markets. I even managed to find myself a new headset, Beats by Dr. Dre which they wanted 2800 bath for (I got it for 1500 bath = about EUR 37), one of the higher models
Looks like the travel route for Thailand is starting to look more complete, after I found out that the Thai New Year is best celebrated in Northern-Thailand, where the first capital of Thailand once was. The Thai New Year is celebrated about one week in mid April.
Bangkok: China Town
I’m in China… At least its partial true, to be more correct Chinatown in Bangkok. I visited Chinatown after I left the area in Bangkok I have been staying the past days. Today I’m staying in the Siam region of Bangkok, which is a more central place with huge, did i say HUGE shopping centers.
But let’s jump back a bit to just after I check out of the Guest House in the morning. I headed out site-seeing on a Tuk-Tuk. I went to the Golden Mountain (400 steps to the top), the sitting Buddha (which is the Buddha statue which is suppose to bring you good luck and most tourists don’t know about), the Tall Buddha and another place I can’t remember the name on at the moment, of course I have it on my tongue.
After that the Tuk-Tuk took me over to Pier nr.13 where I took a river taxi towards Pier nr. 5 which end’s up in China town. I must say you see some strange sites traveling down the river. I never seen so many empty bottles before, two ‘garbage ships’ (as we know them from US movies – the flat boats filed with junk) filled to the max with empty bottles.
When I went of the river taxi I headed into Chinatown, were there were street sellers, people, animals, vehicles, you name it everywhere. But one thing I have to point out is that I never received my soda in a plastic bag before (see image to the right). I ordered a soda from a street seller which had bottle Coca Cola and water, and I have been drinking water everyday for since I came here so I decided Coke sounds good. I received the glass bottle and was one may way when the lady stopped me and said you can’t take the bottle. I stood there a tad confused as you can understand while she snapped the bottle out of my hand grabbed a small plastic bag and started poring. I didn’t see that one coming.
Siam Square is famous for its traffic jams
Now I’m in Siam, here you have large shopping malls and a more urban lifestyle. I think I’ll hang around this area for a few days. One thing you’ll notice is that there a constant traffic jam on the road. I just took the photo to the left about one hours ago (its around half nine at night here now).
Bangkok: The Massive Shopping Malls of Siam
Today have gone to walking the huge shopping malls of Siam. They have a a Ice-Skating ring on the top floor (Think it was 7th floor) of one shopping center, and in another they have South-East Asia’s largest Under Water World where you can see many kind of sea creatures. They even have a car store on 3rd floor with many different car models on display, and we are not talking about small smart cars here. This is full sized cars we are talking about here.
Bangkok: Bangkok Central Train Station
Just had my breakfast at ‘A-One’ Guest House where I’ve been staying for the last couple of days. Now I’m heading out to see if I can get a train to the south to see some new landscape, I have to honestly admit that I’m getting board of the city. I didn’t come to Thailand and South-East Asia to shop, I came here to see the country. So I’ll see if I can get a ticket near Krabi (or something similar) and get some sand between my feet and ocean as long as I can see. I’ll also have to arrange for a train ticket to Chaing Mai so I can get up there for Thai New Years, since it’s going to be fully booked around now since everyone and I mean EVERYONE is going up there for the Thai New Year.
Then I have been to the Bangkok Central Train Station, Hua Lamphong and arranged train ticket for Chain Mai for the 7th of April with air-con sleeping room for overnight train. And a ticket down to Surat Thani whit connecting bus to Krabi. I’ve also put in a booking for a Guest House in Chain Mai and will receive reply within 48 hours.
Now I will have to wait until around five o’clock when my train leaves for Krabi, it’s around 11:30 AM here now. Down in Krabi I will find beaches and will spend most of my time going on day trips over to the nearby islands. Looking forward to seeing something else than Bangkok, if you like shopping. Bangkok is the place to be, but for my sake 2 hours of Shopping is more than enough and now I have had about four days of street sellers and Shopping Centers. Of course Bangkok don’t only have shopping, you also have temples, Buddha statues, Thai Boxing (not been to one yet), Massages (on almost every corner you can get your feet, arms, body, you name it rubbed), and much, much more.
I would recommend taking a Tuk-Tuk ride, it’s just pure awesome (and a bit scary as well at times). Just be weary of Tuk-Tuk driver offering to driver you for 10-20 bath, these will often take you to shops (mostly tailors) and entertainment places which often cost way more than the most other places. It’s important to be firm and state that you don’t want to go to one of these places! The reason why the Tuk-Tuk drivers take you to one of these places is that most often they’ll receive fuel coupons (most of the time 1 for taking you to the place, and 5 if you buy something), this is also why they can offer you a really cheap ride
You can also use this to your advantage, you can let the Tuk-Tuk driver take you to one of these places (works with tailors), spend 5-10 minutes browsing, but not buying anything. And also arrange with the Tuk-Tuk driver to go to places you want to see. Just remember to arrange with the Tuk-Tuk driver before you go which places you want to see, and allow the Tuk-Tuk driver take a stop at one of the tailors in between your stops
Next week we'll continue our travels in Thailand and will feature collision
Tags: #Lookback #Thailand #Backpacking2012
