Bangkok, the gateway to Thailand.

16 - 18 March 2019

After what felt like an eternity in the traffic chaos of Bali, an everlasting check-in process at Denpasar airport, over four hours of flight, and a visa marathon in the middle of the night at the completely deserted Bangkok National Airport, I finally sit in my grave on the way to the accommodation. Five weeks in Thailand lie ahead of me. Starting with the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, which never seems to sleep. Just a stone's throw from the famous Kho San Road, the taxi driver kicks me out and shows me the direction where our hostel is supposed to be. I'm too tired to protest, shoulder my backpack, and make my way. After leaving a Walking Street behind me, where massages are still given even after midnight, I actually stand in front of our hostel. And there awaits me the first surprise - we seriously booked a room equipped only with a fan instead of AC (air conditioning). In our home for the next two nights, the air is so thick that you think you can grab it. Sweat is already running down my back.

Anyway, sleep was out of the question. Only a few hours left until Max arrives. And after seven weeks apart, I'm a little excited. Around 6 o'clock in the morning, there is finally a knock on the door and ... the rest is none of your business :P

Since we're both not exactly the biggest fans of big cities and also a little exhausted from the journey, we don't have much planned for the day. Of course, a massage is a must and we take a boat tour that is absolutely not worth the money. As it is customary, we also let a tuk-tuk driver rip us off. For a small amount of money, he promises to take us to the most important sights. In the end, we spend most of our time in shops in some side alleys where friends or cousins of the driver tirelessly try to convince Max that he needs a new suit - perfectly tailored to him, of course. Cheap cheap price my friend!

We also want to visit the largest temple complex. Unfortunately, both of us inexperienced in Thailand do not think about dressing appropriately - knees, shoulders, and even feet must be covered. There's nothing we can do with our shorts, off-shoulder tops, and flip-flops. I'm only mildly disappointed when I see how many Chinese and Koreans line up with their selfie sticks in front of the square of the temple complex.

But my absolute highlight of the city is the food. As soon as the sun hides behind the cityscape, the small mobile stands pop up everywhere. Streets suddenly turn into pedestrian zones - so-called walking streets - and you can get unpronounceable but incredibly delicious dishes and dirt-cheap clothes with a lifespan of maybe two weeks on every corner.

However, the queen of the walking streets is the Kho San Road. Blinking lights everywhere, bars enticing with cheap cocktails, street stalls with pad thai, fresh fruit, pancakes, or, for the brave, various insects crisply fried.

We eat the best pineapple of our lives, forbiddenly good coconut ice cream with chocolate sauce and peanuts, have our first Chang, and I try in vain to find something without meat in the menus of the restaurants.

Also, we book our ticket to the south for the next evening. We are supposed to be on the road for a whole twelve hours to reach our next destination - Koh Tao. By the way, Koh means island in Thai. I'm already looking forward to it because I already miss the beach and the sea.