First days in Bangkok

I arrived in Thailand after an exhausting trip. I had an easy one hour flight from Goa to Mumbai then an 8-hour lay-over there. We had a one hour flight delay, then a four hour fight. Coupled with a one hour forty five minute stand in the immigration line at the airport and a one hour taxi ride to my hotel. I checked in about 10 am and crashed for a few hours! I was so tired I could barely stand up.

Afterwards I walked around the hotel a bit on Khao San Road, a big low budget tourist area, then enjoyed a 2-hour massage. My gawd, I'll get one daily at $10 for 2-hours! You can't be bashful thpough. There is no privacy. The room is filled with 6-mats and full of other people. I guess I can't expect much with those prices.

I walked the road at night. It turns into a lively outdoor market area. This is the tame area, but some of the things I saw were pretty eye catching. I paused for some fresh mango, then a Tiger Beer and a pork salad. Smoke was coming out my ears it was so spicy. I have to be careful asking for "medium spicey". People were getting their hair done in dreadlocks, henna on their hair and tattoos. Young adults were drinking mini kegs of beer and signs read, "Very strong cocktails, we don't check ID's here". Vendors were selling everything from clothes to street food. I saw a lady selling fried grasshoppers, worms and ants! Her signed said 30-baht please for photo! People were getting fish pedicures and one lady kept laughing and pulling her feet out of the water because it tickled. It was fun to watch! The live music and the trance CD's were blarring all down the street. The hedonist I am had to stop for a $3, 30-minute pedicure, even after my 2-hour massage earlier in the day. It was bizarre to see 25-people on the street getting pedicures. Some drinking beer, others half asleep and relaxed yet others had conversation with friends while their feet were rubbed. It was nicely done. The chairs were clean and matching and all the workers had uniforms on. All the sudden the foot therapists starting grabbing their chairs, stools and supplies and running. I thought it was about to rain, or there was a bomb scare which there had been in Bangkok recently. But the cops came. I think they weren't suppose to block the streets. Within minutes all the street vendors were gone where the police had just passed. If I get the courage and desire, my next journey is Patt Pong..................the sleezy, red light district with sex shows! I've always wanted to go there and will do so if I decide to stay a couple of more days here!

Today I enjoyed and included breakfast at my hotel, the D&D Inn. Later I took a tuk-tuk to the Grand Palace, one of the major tourist venues. It takes a lot to impress me and this did so. It was 60-acres of grandeur where the king lives and houses government offices. I took a delightful free tour of the grounds with six other people. It was terribly hot and humid. To get ack to my hotel, I took a cheap scooter ride back then I was off to get my teeth cleaned. I was certain I had some issues. I had 2-cavities that needed filling along with the cleaning. It was a professional dental experience, other than the dentist talking on the phone a couple of times! I have never had my teeth cleaned with lazers. The entire experience was not painful at all. Most of my fillings are over 40-years old. The new fillings look natural.

I intend to write more on my final days and reflections of India, but for now, it is time for another massage!