Ana_First Days in Thailand...

Day 1
Wed. Jan. 17
By the time I reached Bangkok was a day later. I landed at 1:30 am Bangkok time which exactly 15 hours ahead from California time. I wasn’t sleepy. I was actually excited and nervous to figure things out. It took about 1 hour to go through customs. There was a huge line in immigration. When I went to claim my backpack, I saw a sign flashing last bags for flight 65 which was my flight. And NO BACKPACK for me! I apparently a lot of us that came from LA didn’t get our bags. So I thought I was starting this experience with the right foot. And it was officially the first time on this trip the bags didn’t make it. So can’t complaint. I filled the claim papers and all that junk. They told me to call later on to see where it was. I was freaking out more because I was bringing the candy corn for Vane, her favorite candy. She would kill me. She asked me so many times not to forget it. I kept saying I would forget it on purpose and something did happen. How ironic!

I decided to wait at the airport until it was daylight so I could take the bus in to town. I was going to take a taxi but didn’t want to take one by myself plus it was a bit expensive. Just going around information I would get different prices regarding the taxis and the buses. Finally I found a nice guy working at different spot and he was helpful. I dared to take the public bus into town. I had directions and everything. The nice lady that collects the money on the bus understood where I wanted to go. So I felt save. The directions said it was near a 7-eleven so the first 7-eleven I saw I pointed to the lady and she told me not yet with her hands. Gosh, I passed like 40 7-eleven’s before it was the right stop. From there I just walked less than a minute to the hostel. The man at the reception was super friendly. Since it was 7 in the morning there was no room available yet. He told me I could take a nap at the terrace on the fifth floor so I did. It was already starting to warm up. I manage to take a cat nap. I felt so gross. But couldn’t shower or anything since I didn’t have any of my clothes. Oh well, had to suck it up. Waited around to finally get the bunk beds. I had nothing to do that day but just wait for my sister to arrive. I did go around town a bit to get the lonely planet book on Thailand that we didn’t have yet. Read a bit waited around the hostel until it was time to go back to the airport.

It was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo nice to see Vane come out from the terminal. She was looking for me and I was kinda hiding for few seconds. We went back to the hostel and just talked for a while and went to sleep. I did get my backpack so I was able to finally shower after two days. Simple things I tell you a shower and my sister. =)



Day 2
Thurs. Jan. 18
Woke up super early! Didn’t sleep very much! I think I was too excited about the trip. Vane didn’t sleep much either. We woke up and had our free toast and jelly with a cup of coffee at the hostel. We decided our first destination was going to be Ko Tao Island on the Southeast coast of Thailand. The man at the reception told us the best way was to go to the train station and by a combined ticket since we also had to take the ferry. I felt pretty nervous on making the right choice. When we got there we were approached by different people from the “information” desk so they say. Reading the book a bit they warn you about the different scams to sell you tickets and to be careful when buying tickets. So I was so skeptical. We finally when with one company that I had a g good gut feeling. Vane helped in making the decision so I felt much better. The tickets cost about 800 Baht each which is about $23US and included an overnight bus plus a ferry ride to the island. I do have to say coming from China, Thailand is more expensive but of course still cheap. I could compare it to Shanghai and maybe Hong Kong.

We went back to the hostel for an afternoon nap. We were both pretty tired. In the afternoon we took the public bus to the other side of town, Banglamphu, which is the backpackers mega tons of shops and bars. Smarty pants me didn’t realize we took the bus at rush hour around 4:30pm. Crazy traffic! It took more than 2 hours to get there. We were in an AC bus so we didn’t care for the grand price of 15 Baht, less than .50 cents. Oh, yeah the rate here is 35 Baht equals $1USD.

The main street was Th. Khao San was so easy to find. We just followed the backpacks. It was already happening, loud music, tons of bars and restaurants, vendors crammed right next to each other, many food stalls and plenty of tourists in beachwear walking along the street. We walked around for few minutes before sitting down to have a bite to eat at local restaurant. We had thai food. I had fried rice and Vane had pad thai. Mine was good except had fishy taste although I ordered fried rice with chicken. I still ate it. Had a super cold local beer, it was so refreshing. I was buzz after one beer. It doesn’t take much to get me buzz.

Walked around some more and looked at more shops. Soon we got tired and decided to go back to our place. We did the same and took the local bus. It’s so easy. I just show the map when I get in and they tell me when to get off. Vane had to chase one down. Since the bus stop was so crowded with other buses they often don’t stop at the bus stop, but just off the street. It was funny to see Vane run like a chicken. Was falling asleep on the way over. Managed to stay awake until 10:30pm.



Day 3
Fri. Jan. 19
Finally slept like a ROCK! Took our little time to get up and shower. Went to one of the many markets around Bangkok. Vane wanted to find a long skirt for the beach. We saw lots of stuff. Similar to things you find in China. We spend a good two hours walking around. We kept going inside places for the AC. It gets hot after a while, specially walking. I had my first coconut. It was OK!

On our way back to the train station I told Vane that we could stop at Wat (temple) nearby according the city map we had. Man, what a crack. We get there and it was totally rundown and abandoned. We actually go inside there were locals sleeping under the shaded area of the temple. Vane had the brilliant idea to take photos. I was uneasy since I realized it was all street guys. Then Vane started viewing the photos and taking her sweet little time. I hinted by saying Mani can you check those later. I told her I just had a bad vibe. Too funny! Great temple. =)

Had Burger King for lunch. Vane enjoyed every bite. I keep forgetting she doesn’t have access to this kind of food in China. It was cute to see her face. We both had a crunchy chicken sandwich.

After lunch we went back to the hostel to let time pass by. We played UNO and Vane beat me like three times in a row. Finally it was time to head to the bus station to take our first overnight bus.

We got there and had to wait a while. The bus broke down, so they say. We ended up waiting on the side of the street for about two hours with other backpackers. Finally the bus came and the funny thing was it seemed that it was already full. We barely got two seats. I was bit paranoid with my belongings. I managed to fall asleep here and there. We did stop once for pee brake.



Day 4
Sat. Jan. 21
Arrived a bus stop around 5 in the morning to wait for ferry. I girl already waiting at the bus stop came out saying to check our bags because in her bus they had stolen some tickets to three people. Oh my gosh! I felt cold and sweaty. I freaked out a bit and checked my bags immediately. Nothing was missing. Apparently, three people had some stuff missing. They went through their backpacks and stole money, guide books and tickets. One of the guys don’t know how because his back wasn’t open or broken. Who knows!

We waited with everyone else until 7am. The ferry left a half an hour later. To get to Ko Tao it took three hours not one hour how they had promised. Oh, well it happens. The ride was OK! I felt tired and sweaty. We were hiding from the sun as much as possible. Touts were walking around the ferry to ask where people were staying. The main attraction to the island is cheap diving courses. But we were not interested so they didn’t pay much attention to us. I kept debating where in the island to go whether the north or south. North being the longest beach and most popular and south being more laid back and less sandy beaches. Vane and I kept going back and forth.

Finally arrived at the pier in Ko Tao. From a mile away I could see the touts holding signs of hotels. We ended up grabbing a ride with one of the touts in the ferry. He said he would drop us off at the north of the beach and we could walk down to find a bungalow. So we did. A popular way of transport here is on a pick up truck that has two benches on each side to sit. We were crammed in with other backpackers. The island looked so beautiful. Tall palms trees and crystal clear waters. Paradise indeed!

Left Vane with the bags I went looking for a cheaper bungalow. I was getting frustrated walking with our backpacks down the beach. My back was super sweaty. Finally I made the choice to stay at one bungalow near the beach for 500 Baht. It was pretty decent with a bathroom.

Dropped our bags and went to have lunch. We were both cranky and starving. Found a nice place right in front of the beach. Life doesn’t get better than this. So perfect and relaxing. Vane had a delicious fish with a pineapple sauce and had the usual chicken fried rice.

Went back for a nap. Vane went to the beach. I couldn’t be bothered. I was toooooooooooo tired. When Vane came back I got scared and got up from my sleep. I was ready to punch her. I thought someone was breaking in. Talk about reflexes. After that walked around to see gorgeous sunset. The restaurants along the beach were setting the mood for night time. A few place candles right in the sand. So pretty to see everything lit. And some had mats and cushions on the sand so you can just sit and relax to enjoy the beach. Can’t complaint for our first day in Ko Tao – living in PARADISE!!! Life is good. =)