Bangkok traffic
Hi everyone.
Just a quick update from Bangkok. What a place, fast furious and definitely the biggest cultural shock since leaving the UK. As I write this, I am surrounded by Thai people of all ages in the internet cafe. However, there does not appear to be much business or work going on. Men and women of all ages are fighting alien invasion and shooting gremlins at every work station I can see. The noise is hilarious and the intense ferocity of the pensioner to my right's trigger finger is actually pretty unnerving. Needless to say....I feel every bit the tourist with bum bag and fake Ralph Lauren polo shirt to boot.
Bangkok is amazing. Fiona is certainly surprised as I think she expected it to be rather smellier and dirtier. I'm also a little taken aback. It's definitely smoggy but not quite as bad as I had expected. We are staying at a fantastic 'Boutique hotel'. I think this just means it's not a skyrise and the Davis pride themselves on being Bangkok's first and finest hotel of this nature. The rooms are beautifully ornate on two levels with all the mod cons and a couple of tellies thrown in too along with the minibar. It's great to have a bath (the bathroom is wonderful), makes you realise how much you take one for granted at home. Although showers are necessary to keep cool, once in the air-conditioned room a bath is great and into the luxury bathrobes. Yet another example of our 'flashpacker' status.
Our days here so far have been spent visiting various temples, including the reclining Buddha and the golden mountain. We've not yet ventured to the grand palace as we are taken there when we pick up our 17 night tour tomorrow. We have however visited the night bazaar and wondered at the never ending rows of stalls and tried our hand at haggling over 10 baht (15p). Fiona gives up very easily but I'm getting into the swing of things a little now. I'm especially fond of haggling with the 'Taxi meter' drivers. We are about 10 km from the centre of Bangkok and a taxi in costs around 50 baht (70p) but many cabbies turn off their meters and try asking for ridiculous amount 300 baht. I get so so bloody annoyed that they seem to think I've fallen out of the nearest tree or something. The tuk tuk drivers are even worse!!!!! We did a ten minute trip on our first day here for 20 baht (30p) and some others try to charge you 400 baht. They all want to take you to the tailors where I'm sure their family work. It seems the trip cost for the ride is hugely discounted if you go for a look at the tailors or jewellery shop. They wait for you outside, then head off to another one. They can discount the fare as they get petrol vouchers for taking you round Bangkok's Saville Row Magical Mystery Tour. Fiona is being very gracious and patient but it's beginning to wind me up to say the least. We were picked up from dinner the other night at about 11pm and wanted to go straight back to the hotel however our cabbie despite knowing we'd just had dinner wanted to take us to every sodding seafood restaurant in the city. Fiona smiled nicely as I bubbled and boiled. I'm my father's son which Fiona finds hilarious and likes to remind me. No offence dad!!!! But we both know what you're like and I'm certainly inheriting you ways as you did Grandad's.
Anyway, I've finished venting about the Thai transport system so I'd better sign off and head for our 60 baht (90p) lunch of noodles, rice and fresh mangoes and pineapples. Food really is amazing and ridiculously cheap. Fiona is spending the afternoon getting her hair straightened at MBK, Bangkok's indoor department store market.....imagine Debenhams ten times bigger and market stalls and food courts all under one roof. The mobile phone section alone is the size of Asda. everything is just amazing.
Tonight it's a two hour massage. It's gonna cost us 250 baht each. About 3 pound!!!! I've even had a foot massage and facial. Jesus....what the hell is happening to me!!!! Fiona...that's what!!!!
Anyway.....enough for now.
Home 4 weeks today....unbelievable!!!!!
Love to all
Phil and Fiona
xxxx
posted by fiona and phil @ 10:37 PM
5 Comments:
Sawadikka! I had to laugh at your transport stories in Bangkok, your descriptions are spot on! Picturing the both of you in a tuc-tuc has me in stiches!! Have you gone down the Koh Sahn Road? This is a famous road and one featured in 'The Beach'. Well you both sound like you're getting into it after the initial culture shock! Enjoy getting spoilt for such ridiculous prices while it lasts!
Nothing exciting to report really -Take That are no.1 again! Looking forward to Paddy's day next wknd, I'm sure the Thai's will celebrate - any excuse to make money! Are there still Irish pubs there? We drank and ate in one called Delaney's if I remember rightly?!
Have you visited Pat Pong - this is the dodgy area where you'll see ping pong balls ping ponging from all sorts of people and places!! Have you played spot the 'ladyboys' yet? Great game, sometimes can be very hard to tell!
Anyway enjoy the loop - not sure how much email access you will have in this time! 4 weeks til your home - doesn't seem possible! Can't wait to see you both!
Lots of Love
Shivvy!
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Hi Fiona & Phil
Sounds like you're having a ball! Can't believe trip is nearly over - enjoy every minute.
Megan and Patrick were thrilled with their adopted Koala and the photo of Tiffy Tiffin is now on Megan's bedroom wall. Many thanks for that. It goes with my adopted Gorilla which I received for Christmas.
We're just back from a fortnight in Tenerife and had a super holiday - very hot and sunny and the children were very well behaved, leaving Robin and I to relax and catch up with reading and sunbathing.
We've booked to go to France at the end of March for a couple of weeks so won't see you until 13th April. Can't wait to see you both.
I'm going to Tenerife for a long weekend with Giovanna next weekend - it's her birthday treat. Really looking forward to that. In fact, I don't know how I managed when I was working and only had 25 days holiday a year - I've been having a ball this past year and travelling as much as possible - it's obviously a family trait as we've all been doing a lot of travelling, haven't we. Didn't inherit that from Mum!
Megan has two baby guinea pigs - Tufty & Cocoa and adores them. We finally gave in to her pleas for a pet and she does look after them herself, thankfully. Patrick has his heart set on a baby tortoise and it's his big passion at the moment. He wants one for his birthday and doesn't seem to want anything else so the pressure is on us to deliver! I've located a breeder who has 1yr old tortoises for sale - they are only 2 inches long!! Can you imagine that?
Shivvy mentioned Pat Pong and I was going to say the very same thing. You can't leave Bangkok without witnessing it for yourselves. Rob and I had a fascinating time there and can thoroughly recommend seeing the ping pong acts - you won't believe what is possible! Take a firm hold on Phil's hand as you wander around though as he'll be pulled left, right and centre by gorgeous girls (and a few ladyboys no doubt!)
Have a fantastic time and I look forward to seeing and reading about your trip.
Lots of love
AnnetteXXX
Yes, Thailand is something else, isn't it. Have you seen a complete family on a pop-pop motor bike yet? Do you think that you will be able to add negotiating skills to your CV when you return? What did you think of Patpong market and did you go to any pole dancing clubs? Do you still plan a river trip and will you be going to the floating market and Rose garden at any time in your trip? Your hotel sounds fabulous, we hope the ones on tour will be OK too.
What's this about 'like your father'? Me, a grumpy old sod - never. We don't know how the Thais celebrate Paddy's day, but I'm sure Fiona can tell them! Is she having her nails extended for the 'long nail dance exhibition'? Glad to say that we've seen the old currant bun today and it's been quite warm, although it's dull now, tea time. Mum says shame about Arsenal last night, but of course Man U got through somehow. Managed to beat Bermuda in the cricket warm up, we'll wait and see what happens when the real thing starts. Enjoy your Asian tour, take care of yourselves and we'll catch up again later. Love Mum and Dad. XXXX
Hi guys,
So glad that you're having a blast in Bangkok. Your tales of taxi drivers & tuk-tuks bring back many happy memories. Make sure you take a ride on an elephant if you can whilst in Chang Mai - It's an unforgetable experience. Just make sure the elephant hand doesn't nip off for a crafty smoke leaving you to try & steer the elephant along the jungle path like ours did!!
It's been a bit of an unusual week to say the least. Started with a lovely night out last Friday with a few old pals from my Nat West days. The boys had a Cubs/Beavers swimming gala on Saturday evening (Alex's first gala), Rob was helping poolside & I was expecting to lead the cheering with Mum & Dad in true Warren style. However, at around 5pm I was suddenly doubled up in agony with excrutiating back & lower abdomen pains. To cut a very long story at least a bit short, after 2 hours I'd had enough & Mum called an ambulance but, about 5 minutes before it arrived, the pain lifted. They wanted to take me up to A&E to be checked over but as I felt so much better we agreed that Mum would take me later if I got worse again. So, in typical 'Jo style', I decided to get to the gala to see the boys swim & let them know that I was OK, especialy as I had been rolling around the floor in agony when they left home with Rob earlier!
We managed to get to Bath Road with only a few minutes to spare to see Alex's heat (6 year olds one width unaided). He came 2nd & got throught to the final where he also came 2nd. Very proud Mummy!
Also saw Ben swim his 1st race about 40 mins later (9 year olds one length freestyle) which he won. Very proud Mummy again!
However, by this point I'm in agony again & hanging onto the railings for dear life! Finally gave in & Mum whisked me off to the L&D. The doctor in A&E said she thought I had kidney stones & so I was admitted. Had to stay in to be monitored & had an IV x-ray Tuesday lunchtime which confirmed it. Came home that night & now just waiting for it to make it's own way out! No jokes about listening for a 'ping' on the porcelain please..I've heard them already! Need to go back in 2 weeks for follow up blood tests & another IV x-ray to make sure the stone(s) have gone. Glad to say I'm feeling a heck of a lot better than this time last week - the only other time I've felt that much pain was when I gave birth to the boys but at least then I had something to show for my efforts!
Just to prove that every story has a funny side, I'll share my journey from Bath Road to the hospital. I tried to sit in the passenger seat of Mum's corsa but couldn't so ended up on all fours on the back seat with my head hanging over the back parcel shelf. I'm sure she must have driven over every possible speed bump on the way which gave rise to more than a few swear words (sorry Mum). I remember the pains easing a bit by the time we stopped at the traffic lights by the Leicester Arms. Unfortunately, as well as becoming a bit more aware of my surroundings at that point, I also realised that I'd got my jeans around my ankles & my bum shining out of the back window. I just hope that there wasn't another car or truck stopped at the lights alongside us or they would have got an eyeful!!
Anyway, back to the boys. They're so excited about you coming home & are literally counting down the days. Alex tells me every night that he is going to dream about seeing you when we go out for lunch on Good Friday & Ben is lining you up to go to watch Luton Reserves at Kenilworth Road with him (& Rob & Alex) on Easter Tuesday if you're available. Let's hope the Reserves can salvage a bit of honour for the Hatters after another 1st team loss today -Rob is not a happy bunny!
Have rumbled on for ages..can't wait to see you both...be aware the boys will mob you when they see you..can't believe it's less than 4 weeks before you're home
Lots of love & hugs
Jo, Rob, Ben & Alex xxxx
Sat 11:46pm
I'm not sure how much you're managing to get online during your Asia tour but I thought I'd drop you a line to let you know I've finally left Barton!! I'm now back in Bansko and trying to re-aclimatise to having to do my own cooking, washing, ironing, cleaning etc!! Its lovely to be back with Kev though and although the appartment is 'compact' I think the key to our survival will be keeping it clean and tidy. If we can manage that I think we'll survive the next few weeks without too many arguements or injuries!
I'm back in Barton again soon though - just after you on the Saturday actually as I've got a hospital appointment - I know, if it's not one thing, its another! I'm still struggling with my teeth believe it or not... I had the tooth fixed that I broke in Mexico and ever since then have been in pain. The dentist thinks its only an infection though so I'm on antibiotics at the moment although they're still yet to kick in so I'm keeping everything crossed that they'll start doing their job soon or I could be back in the UK again sooner than I think!
Anyhow my lovelies I won't bore you with any more medical/dental ailments of mine. I am actually quite healthy really... Apart from all the bits that have gone wrong, I'm as fit as fiddle... honestly!!
I hope the Asia tour proved to be as interesting as it sounded and that Singapore isn't too 'clean' for you after all the smog in Thailand! Take care and enjoy every last minute of the next few weeks - where did all those weeks and months go from when you set off on this fantastic trip?!?!
Take care and I'll see you both soon,
Jane
xxxx
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