Bangkok (07.03.- 12.03.2019)

After a good 9-hour flight, we were now in Thailand. It was very unusual to leave Australia after such a long time. We arrived at just past 1 o'clock at night, the airport was very confusing and crowded. After we had the visa, we wanted to take the train to our accommodation. On the way to the train station, we noticed the many sleeping people. Then we had to realize that the next train only leaves in 4 hours. So we had to wait. We also withdrew money from the airport. We had a very bad exchange rate. After reading on the internet that taking a taxi costs the same, we took a taxi. The taxi driver couldn't speak English, so the conversation was very limited. When we stopped near our accommodation, we paid 700 baht for the taxi ride. This turned out to be too expensive. So our first impression was already very bad. After we were in our accommodation, we were able to take a little nap in the lounge. Ben especially needed this because he hadn't slept on the flight. When we felt somewhat fit, we took a little walk in our area. The impression we had of Bangkok did not get better. It stank, was chaotic, dirty, and above all very loud. The traffic was very confusing. When a pedestrian had a green light, no one cared. The cars drive when there is space. The rules of a pedestrian crossing are also ignored here. Where have we ended up here... We were also approached so often by TukTuk drivers asking if they should take us. Also, people who tailor suits here are practically besieging you. The river that runs through Bangkok is used more as a garbage dump. It stinks, there is a lot of plastic floating in it, and people really throw their rubbish in it. When we were at a market at a temple complex, we got into a conversation with a monk. He was very nice and gave us two bracelets. You can also see cats and dogs running around here, looking for something to eat. In general, you can only marvel at how many food stalls there are in Bangkok. Cooking and eating are done everywhere on the street. What is also strange to us is that the power supply network looks like chaos. It is unbelievable that it actually conducts electricity. When it was finally 2 o'clock, we were officially able to check in and go to our room. There we rested and also talked to another German. We spent the rest of the day in the hostel. We planned the following days, rested from the flight and the first shock.

The next day, we walked along the many temples. We were at a small market and took a boat across the disgusting river to Wat Arun. Wat Arun is one of the most important temples in Bangkok. I had to borrow scarves to enter the temple. As soon as my knees and shoulders were covered, we went inside. It was gigantic. So beautiful, colorful, clean, and detail-oriented. We really liked Wat Arun. Then we walked through small alleys to the famous Chinatown. Chinatown was an experience again. So many stalls in a small space. Chaos, hustle, and bustle, and motorcycles driving around between the many small alleys. You saw something new and crazy on every corner. It was incredible! I bought a cell phone case there and for the first time, I haggled. Also very strange. You always have the feeling that you are paying too much. Especially the first time, I just forgot that you can bargain here. I regret it afterwards... Then we went back to our accommodation.

The following day, we went to the Golden Mount Temple. A temple on a mountain that is very popular. You had a good view of Bangkok from the temple and the path to the temple was decorated with many smaller things. Then we went to the famous shopping centers of the city. They are all over 8 floors and here you finally felt like in modern times again. It was modern, clean, and you could feel the Western influence. We felt like we were in a different world there. However, the prices of the clothing were more expensive than in Germany and Australia. We also tried Donkin Donuts. The donuts are cheaper, but they just taste different. Quite dry and they are also smaller. What also caught our attention: apart from a small kiosk (7 eleven), they don't have traditional supermarkets here. Really strange.

As it was Sunday the next day, Ben and I walked 8.7km to Chatuchak Market (only open on weekends). It is the largest market in the world. The way to the market led us past small villages. It was interesting to see in what poor conditions people live here. When we arrived, it was like in Chinatown again. Full, chaotic, but somehow you had the feeling that there is a structure. You saw something different on every corner and it was also interesting to see what they sell here. After a small lunch break, we continued to the animal section. That's where the fun stopped. It was terrible to see how baby animals are kept and put on display here. There were dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, turtles, meerkats, monkeys, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rabbits, and much more. All of them are not kept in an appropriate way and locked up in small cages. Terrible. After we had enough of looking around and buying some souvenirs, we made our way back. On the way back, we both enjoyed an ice cream and then we were exhausted when we arrived at the accommodation.

Our last day in Bangkok arrived. First, we continued to rest and checked in online for the flight the next day. Then we went to Chinatown again, as it was already quite late last time and many shops had already closed. We looked around a bit and apparently we had to withdraw money again. Unfortunately, we fell for a stupid banking trick and had a worse exchange rate than at the airport. You can probably imagine the mood afterwards. When we were back in the accommodation, we packed all our things for the flight tomorrow and rested.

In general, it must be said that Bangkok was initially very scary and foreign, but day by day we got used to Bangkok more and more and the city is really different from corner to corner. We were able to get a good impression in our days. It was interesting to get to know such a different world. However, you really constantly have the feeling of paying too much and that everyone is after your money. Thailand is cheap, but you don't get much for your money, especially with our bad exchange rate.

The weather here in Bangkok was always over 30 degrees. When we landed at one o'clock at night, it was already 28 degrees outside. The airplane window fogged up immediately. To be honest, we didn't have such a big problem with the weather. Fortunately, we were already used to the heat from the summer in Australia. The high humidity also didn't bother us. It felt higher in Queensland.