From Laos to Bangkok or from heavenly peace to hellish noise

First of all, we really like Bangkok. By now, we can also be city guides, public transportation guides, or guides for street food, quiet places, and parks, but Bangkok truly is an energy thief.

This year, we have entered Thailand from Laos for the second time, once by boat and then by bus, and now from train to train. In Laos, a Chinese train runs reliably, but quite strict, to the Thai border. From there, it continues by bus to Friendship Bridge Number 1, and from there, with a Thai bus for entry. From the border town of Nong Khai, it is a 10-hour train ride to Bangkok. Endless landscapes with many fields and lakes and delicious food, sold directly by vendors on the train, shorten the travel time to the capital.

And then you're there. Even if you are aware beforehand that it will be loud, hot, and chaotic, you are always surprised that it is so loud, hot, and chaotic. Despite everything, we had three nice last days with our dear visitor, took lots of boats, trains, and buses, visited temples and markets, or simply had a coffee by the canal and waited for the sun to set so that we could think again.

Despite its size, the city has an touching warmth and if you go around the corner twice, you are out of the hustle and bustle and in the middle of people's lives. For us, the city offers not only temples and shopping centers, we are also excited to go to museums, renew our equipment, or get our teeth fixed.

We like Bangkok, but after a week, it's great to escape to nature with our next visitor. Whether it will be quieter then, we'll see...

Wonderful: street kitchens and the flowers at the spirit houses

Weird: showing a Russian the way and not being able to simply ignore world politics.

Unpredictable: Chinese New Year - big, colorful, and everywhere in the city

Kathleen