Hi from Bangkok. We made it here yesterday with no worries, it was about a nine hour flight from Sydney that went by pretty quickly thanks to the inflight entertainment on Qantas, which we loved.
Anyway Bangkok is quite the attack on the senses. It's raining and about 90 degrees, so the air is thick with moisture and exhaust fumes. The traffic is unsurprisingly ridiculous.
The thing about Bangkok that strikes you as you walk down the street is not necessarily the stores and the noise, but the smells. People are selling all kinds of food on the street, from semi-outdoor restaurants to little fruit carts. Vendors have a propane burner and a wok and whip up fried rice. We've only had one meal yet, and let's just say it was pretty great. We might want to stay here just for the food.
We are staying in a great hotel that is comparable to anything in Boston for about US$41 a night. Lunch for the both of us - this included two rice-based entrees, soup and drink - was 50 baht, or about $1.50.
Bangkok is surprisingly easy to get around, everything's in Thai and in English, and people are happy to let you order your food by just pointing. It definitely feels safe and there are a lot of Westerners here, although we do stick out totally. At lunch the little plastic seat I was sitting on gave way - I think I have about 100 pounds on the biggest Thai guy in Bangkok.
Tomorrow we are taking a bus to Cambodia, a town called Siam Reap, which is the entry point for Angkor Wat. Angkor is a very old temple. You can read about it here if you are so inclined:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angkor_wat
Not sure what internet access is going to be over there but we will blog as best we can.
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3 comments:
Hi guys...Glad to hear you made it safely to Bankok... Sounds like you're already embracing the oriental way of life... A woman I met at Weight Watchers this morning just returned from Japan and China and talked about the food...She said to watch the sodium content... Everyone in her group ended up with swollen feet...So the best way to avoid that is to drink lots of clear fluids and water...Although they loved the food..
It was interesting reading the link that Bob attached on Angror Wat.
All well here...I am just finishing my vacation and go back to work Monday. Gina's family comes back on Saturday and also goes back to work.. But they are doing fine...Talked to them lots this week..
looking forward to next post..Love you lots... Auntie Rainy
Sounds like you both are having an immensely fantastic time. The rest of us are living vicariously through you.
Anyway, we'll be in Thailand and Cambodia in November so we'd love to know hear about where you stayed.
Be safe and talk to you soon.
-wookie and annie
Have fun in SE Asia! Let me know if you need any contacts in China...
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