Coming Soon: Real Adventure
Posted by Stuart at 10:40 AM on August 06, 2002This morning we awoke early and went shopping for our breakfast and to buy food for the Buddhist monks, who sit next to the market every morning to collect donations. Our breakfast consisted of spring rolls, fried fish and basil cakes, fresh squeezed orange juice, small creme-filled pastries, pomello fruit, and iced chai tea. Mmmmm.
The rest of the day was pretty busy. I bought an internet card that allows me to use the modem on my laptop. Then I got a cell phone. (Which, by the way, seems not to accept international calls. I need to look into that further.) Then it was off to my second trip to 24 Hour Fitness. (Actually, it is called California Fitness, and it is MUCH nicer than the ones in San Francisco, including a great view of Bangkok from the 19th floor). Now I just need to find a lap pool and I will be all set.
Tonight, Mag, Mark and I went to dinner in Chinatown, then took a tuk-tuk to Kao San Road. We walked down the street famous for the large number of backpacker hotels and bars, all of which were filled with white people. We then walked a block to the park next to the Grand Palace, and were back in a sea of Thai faces, many of whom had spread out blankets in front of them with various knick-knacks for sale.
The real adventure starts on the 8th, as Mark and I fly to Cambodia for a 3 day 2 night trip to see Angkor Wat. I am really looking foward to seeing the temple ruins (one of the largest temples in the world) yet at the same time I am curious to see what it is like to visit one of the poorest countries in the world. I am sure I will have a lot to post (including pictures!) when I get back on the 10th.
Great idea! Everyone should see Angkor.
You can take a bus from Bangkok to Siam Riep (the main near Angkor), but I wouldn't recommend it at all. I had a friend do it, and he said it was horrible. The Cambodian roads are barely passable in the dry season and informal "toll booths" are set up all along the road to force bribes from tourists.
Once you get to Bangkok, you can easily book an air/hotel package at any travel agency. I think prices are around US$300 for a 3-day 2-night air/hotel package. But they might be running promotions when you get here. Just have to wait and see.
DO YOU HAVE TO FLY FROM BANGKOK TO SEE ANKOR, OR CAN ONE TAKE A BUS OR TRAIN THERE. I'LL BE IN BANGKOK FOR A LITTLE OVER TWO WEEKS, AND I HAD PLANS TO GO SEE ANKOR.