Bangkok has us

16.06.2015

Arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport Bangkok. We are waiting for our luggage and are delighted with a billboard at the baggage claim. We can see our hotel in Koh Chang and the anticipation is growing. When our backpacks finally appear on the carousel, we are slightly relieved. It's always exciting whether the luggage will arrive or if we have to improvise for a few days (sometimes even the whole vacation).

Then it's welcome to the sauna Bangkok! What humidity. After running out and back in twice, my breathing is somewhat under control and we make our way to the taxi stand.

We get a ticket and wait at the designated spot for our taxi that will take us to the hotel through Bangkok.

The car is slightly kitschy decorated but still harmless by Thai standards. The driver is super friendly and we explain with hands, feet, and English where we want to go: to the Happy 3 Hotel in Siam.

The ride is already spectacular for me. My first time in Asia. My dream is coming true. I am sitting in a taxi in Bangkok and can hardly believe my luck. (I am already getting emotional just writing this)

Motor scooters coming towards you on your own lane on the highway and swerving at the last moment. Road workers sitting at the edge of the highway in the middle of heavy traffic repainting the guardrails, and street vendors selling flower garlands and bags of food at traffic lights. I am already completely enchanted.

Julian already knows all of this. It's not his first time in Thailand/Asia. He never wanted to go to the 'dirty, chaotic' Asian countries and now they have captivated him and he can't get enough of them.

After a 16-hour journey, we finally arrive at the hotel and can check in and cool off in the pool (cool off is a bit of an exaggeration - the water is about 30 degrees).

We're not here to be lazy and hang out by the pool, so off to the metropolis Bangkok (I've been wanting to go the whole time, but Jules wanted to swim :/ compromises and all...)

Jules shows me the MBK, the largest shopping center I have ever seen (Shanghai will revise this statement ;)).

The market hall in the heart of the shopping center almost overwhelms me, but I really want one of those typical loose Thai pants. Got it! And off we go. We take the subway to Siam Square and I'm completely blown away again: It's 6 PM, the national anthem 'Phleng Chat Thai' plays from the speakers hanging on every corner and the city just stops. All cars stop, pedestrians just stand there and listen to the anthem. As soon as the music fades, everything continues as if nothing happened.

Across the street from us is the Hello Kitty House. A cafe with a souvenir shop. To be able to shop there, you should have a decent travel budget. For us, it's only enough for a postcard that will go on the fridge when we get back home.

Now we also see the Ban Khun Mae. One of the best Thai restaurants in Bangkok. The prices are not typical for Thailand but I've heard so much about it that we just have to try it.

It wasn't promised too much: khao pad gung (fried rice with shrimp), Kang Kung (water spinach with chili), various curries, giant prawns, and sweet and sour chicken! A dream for lovers of Thai food!

After the meal, the long flight and the journey start to take their toll. We have to go to bed. Tomorrow we will continue to Koh Chang.