You can come back later.. If you don't get bombed!
Blijf op de hoogte en volg Michel
24 Februari 2014 | Thailand, Bangkok
Good, I'm back on the road again!
The taxi ride from the airport to my hostel already felt familiar, it reminded me of the first time that I was here in 2007. The people, the money and the loud, crazy traffic jams with motors, taxis, tuk tuks, buses and anything else on wheels trying to create an extra lane during rush hour.
I came prepared with a hostel reservation and a printed description in Thai that explained how to get to the hostel. Apparently that was still not enough, because we ended up driving around somewhere and the taxi driver kept yelling at me in Thai. Unfortunately, I had no idea whether he said " Good, we're almost there!" or.. "Oh my God, we're in the wrong city!"
After a few trips around the block we found my hostel, a relaxing place that just opened with owners that know what a backpacker needs. A big couch, some hammocks, cold beer and the biggest mattresses cooled by air conditioning.
The first night started with an Irish guy in a British pub, eating some Malaysian curry with a Singaporean beer. Why not, there it still enough time to experience Thailand!
It's important to start slowly, so I relaxed in the hostel, had afternoon naps, watched a ping pong show, had some beers, explored China town and saw many budhas and temples on the way. Friday was a nice cool day with 27 degrees, but the rest of the time its quite hot around here!
I stayed 2 nights at the hostel and after hosting some people at my place in Utrecht last year, this weekend it was time to start couch surfing for the first time. I stayed at the apartment of a Thai girl in the east of Bangkok, a nice neighbourhood without tourists. The best way to really experience the city, without salesmen and with reasonable prices.
One thing you notice these days are the protests all over the city. They are protesting against the government by blocking the streets (like there aren't enough traffice jams alreeady..), organizing live music and speeches and putting up their tents to stay and sleep there 24/7.
It all seems quite peaceful and harmless, but I heard from locals that some people died this week by bombings and shootings in the city. Today I asked at the tourist office about bus fares to the islands in the south. I explained that I don't want to buy a ticket rigtht now but in a few days and I got the reply: "You can come back later.. If you don't get bombed!"
Right.. Although it still feels safe in the city, I don't want to push my luck. I will be heading to Ko Phangan this week for some beach, palm trees and diving! :-)
The taxi ride from the airport to my hostel already felt familiar, it reminded me of the first time that I was here in 2007. The people, the money and the loud, crazy traffic jams with motors, taxis, tuk tuks, buses and anything else on wheels trying to create an extra lane during rush hour.
I came prepared with a hostel reservation and a printed description in Thai that explained how to get to the hostel. Apparently that was still not enough, because we ended up driving around somewhere and the taxi driver kept yelling at me in Thai. Unfortunately, I had no idea whether he said " Good, we're almost there!" or.. "Oh my God, we're in the wrong city!"
After a few trips around the block we found my hostel, a relaxing place that just opened with owners that know what a backpacker needs. A big couch, some hammocks, cold beer and the biggest mattresses cooled by air conditioning.
The first night started with an Irish guy in a British pub, eating some Malaysian curry with a Singaporean beer. Why not, there it still enough time to experience Thailand!
It's important to start slowly, so I relaxed in the hostel, had afternoon naps, watched a ping pong show, had some beers, explored China town and saw many budhas and temples on the way. Friday was a nice cool day with 27 degrees, but the rest of the time its quite hot around here!
I stayed 2 nights at the hostel and after hosting some people at my place in Utrecht last year, this weekend it was time to start couch surfing for the first time. I stayed at the apartment of a Thai girl in the east of Bangkok, a nice neighbourhood without tourists. The best way to really experience the city, without salesmen and with reasonable prices.
One thing you notice these days are the protests all over the city. They are protesting against the government by blocking the streets (like there aren't enough traffice jams alreeady..), organizing live music and speeches and putting up their tents to stay and sleep there 24/7.
It all seems quite peaceful and harmless, but I heard from locals that some people died this week by bombings and shootings in the city. Today I asked at the tourist office about bus fares to the islands in the south. I explained that I don't want to buy a ticket rigtht now but in a few days and I got the reply: "You can come back later.. If you don't get bombed!"
Right.. Although it still feels safe in the city, I don't want to push my luck. I will be heading to Ko Phangan this week for some beach, palm trees and diving! :-)
-
24 Februari 2014 - 18:27
Mirjam & Wilfried:
Dit eerste verhaal voorspelt weer het nodige vermaak voor de komende 10 maanden :) -
24 Februari 2014 - 22:19
Eliska:
Hehe avontuurlijk stadje;) Renske (die vriendin van mij) is in maart in thailand gaat daar ook rondreizen;) wellicht treffen jullie elkaar ergens. De wereld is klein:)xx
-
25 Februari 2014 - 12:45
Stephan Kupper:
Jammer, geen foto's/filmpjes bij reisverslag Thailand :-( -
26 Februari 2014 - 13:07
Michel:
M & W, laten we het hopen!
Eliska, ik ken haar niet toch? Dat wordt dan moeilijk herkennen ;-)
Stephan, heb nog weinig boeiende foto's, zal kijken of het volgende keer lukt! -
26 Februari 2014 - 14:16
Patty:
Hahahahahaha, disfruta de la playa pues, si no te cae una bomba en la cabeza :p -
28 Februari 2014 - 09:57
Anique:
Wow, klinkt nu al goed! Neem de tijd en geniet van weer een mooi avontuur! -
28 Februari 2014 - 10:26
Michel:
Patty: Sii, voy a disfrutarlo este domingo, no te preocupes ;-)
Anique: Ga ik zeker doen, ik reis langzaam genoeg, zit nog steeds in bangkok :) Succes met de zwangerschap en doe Marc de groeten! -
28 Februari 2014 - 16:18
:
Mooi verhaal, ik ga je zeker volgen deze komende maanden! -
03 Maart 2014 - 07:43
Edo:
Ge-ping-pongt dus, goed zo! Gewonnen? -
03 Maart 2014 - 09:46
Ron:
Edo je weet toch dat Michel nooit wint met ping-pongen.. :) -
03 Maart 2014 - 13:26
Michel:
Haha Edo, Ron, het zijn ook altijd dezelfde die reageren op dat soort onderdelen van het verhaal hè ;-)
Maar inderdaad niet gewonnen, zelfs geen bal terug geslagen, dat kost extra! :-P
Reageer op dit reisverslag
Je kunt nu ook Smileys gebruiken. Via de toolbar, toetsenbord of door eerst : te typen en dan een woord bijvoorbeeld :smiley
