Real reviews from real travelers.
Bangkok Pages by BorderHopper
| Page Views: 3,403 Last Visit to Bangkok: September, 2004 I Used To Live Here | The City That Changed My Life by BorderHopper - last update: Jul 30, 2005 |
| Nightlife on the eclectic Khao San Road |
Sometime ago, back in the 1990's, my bestfriend & I arrived in Bangkok in the dead of night. Our plane from Los Angeles arrived at Don Muang International Airport some 18 hours after we departed. This was our first time in Bangkok & at that time I hadn't the slightest idea as to what to expect. The international terminal was teaming with people even at that late hour. I didn't yet realize that Bangkok was a city that never sleeps. We lugged our over stuffed backpacks out the door of the terminal and were instantly blasted by a wave of humidity unlike anything we ever experienced coming from the dry climate of California. Lesson number one: Bangkok is hot and humid...day & night. The sweat quickly beaded up on my face & trickled down my back. Both my buddy and I experienced a sensory overload from a combination of: A). Jet Lag B). the deafning sound of Tuk-Tuk's C). Taxi touts yapping in our ears D). the debilitating effect humidity has on a tired body E). the realization that we had no idea what we do next. The list could go on. We were eventually found by a taxi driver who recognized us for what we were, novice Farangs, and directed us into his green and yellow cab for the $10 ride into Bangkok. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous as we negotiated the dark & narrow Soi's as our driver searched for some hotel we randomly picked out of our guidebook. As it turned out my nervousness was unfounded as the driver eventually deposited us at the right hotel & a feeling of relief came over us. During the ride over I could see that Bangkok was big, Bangkok was electric,and at the time Bangkok seemed to be a daunting place for two guys who didn't even know what a "Farang" was.This was my first experience with Bangkok. Little did I know back then that Bangkok would be the city in which I'd eventually meet my wife, fall in love, buy a home, and see the birth of my son McKinley Nile. Bangkok would become my home. Bangkok became the city that changed my life.* |
| The Reclining Buddha of Wat Pho |
|  | As I said in my first chapter Bangkok really changed my life. Over the years I visited the city often and I met the woman I love and married. My son was born here and we now call Bangkok our home away from home. Though we live in Los Angeles, the other city of Angels, we consider Bangkok to be our 2nd home. We enjoy every stay we have in Bangkok and use our home in the city as a base to explore Thailand and the rest of South East Asia. Bangkok is a major internation travel hub and there is hardly a better place in the world to use as a gateway for your international travels. The city is packed with discount airline ticket shops. All you have to do is take a walk down "Backpacker Central" on Khao San Road and you'll spot several dozen travel shops offering cheap tickets to Calcutta, Bali, or Columbo. This is a city where you can find lodging for as little as 120 baht a night if you don't mind sleeping on Khao San Rd. amongst drunken backpackers in dingy rooms, seperated by plywood. Or you can stay in the luxirious confines of the beautiful 5 star Oriental Hotel along the banks of the Chao Praya River. Bangkok has accomodations for any budget! Yes, Bangkok has a river & anyone visiting this city should travel along the Chao Praya taking in all of the amazing sights....the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and many other historical points of interest. Oh, and Bangkok is a city that will tantilyze your taste buds. I have no doubt that Bangkok has some of the best food in the world!* |
| A view of Bangkok from its tallest building |
| | To be continued.... |
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| Pros: | "Truly the city that never sleeps. Big...but not daunting. Travel hub of Asia." | | Cons: | "It's hot, muggy, and traffic is terrible." | | In A Nutshell: | "Some people come & never go home." |
 BorderHopper's Bangkok Travelogues | | | |
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 Comments for BorderHopper about Bangkok | | | | |
Guantanamera Sun Jun 6, 2004 07:38 UTC
I see you can't resist reading my Thai pages... According to Wittgenstein's theories, I should take it as a great compliment...! | Geisha_Girl Fri Jun 27, 2003 03:46 UTC
Yes, that Travel Agent from Thailand told me you were quite the Party Animal in Bangkok! ;-) Looks like you had fun here! | herzog63 Sat Nov 2, 2002 07:39 UTC
Back in the day!! Looks like you had some fun! | thevoyager Fri Aug 9, 2002 23:54 UTC
Hmmm..too much drinking? :) |
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