The Kick-off: Toronto to Abu Dhabi to Bangkok

Day 1-4 (Nov. 7-10):

My journey kicked off with a trip up to Guelph to visit my good friend Shannon.  Thanks for the birthday dinner, mom and dad :).

In the morning, I took the GO bus from Guelph to Pearson, armed with nothing but a backpack, plane ticket and a desire for adventure.

12 hours later, I was in Abu Dhabi.  As tired as I was, my senses were alert as I was thrust into  a completely new environment and culture.  With a ten hour layover, I got my passport stamped and stepped out into the 35 degree desert heading.  Sweat immediately began to collect on my brow – it was a relief to enter the air- conditioned bus that would take me into the city.

First stop: the Grande Mosque.  What a magnificent piece of architecture. The feeling of reflectance and piety resonated throughout the Mosque.

Second stop: Al Wadha Mall. I got off at what I think was the right stop on (the mall was two streets over).  My quick head movements left, right, left again, and then down at my map clearly attracted attention.  A man with a serious look on his face approached me on the sidewalk and asked me, “Where are you going?”  On guard, I told him that I was looking for the mall.  Putting his arm on my shoulder and turned me around and said, “My friend, you must go across the bridge.”  There were a few other instances of very helpful and polite citizens simply trying to help me out. At the mall, I had an amazing chicken masala with freshly-pressed watermelon juice at Jumanah restaurant.

 

For the rest of the afternoon, I walked through downtown. The best part was soaking my feet in the bay in front of a spectacular sunset.

I then hurried back to the airport for my connection.

6 hours later, I arrived I Bangkok just as the Sun rose.  After another stamp to my passport, I was in Thailand :).

This day was a whirlwind, so here’s a summary of what happened:

-Took the Skytrain with the help of two local Thai girls that took pity on me for struggling to buy a ticket.

-Got ripped- off by a taxi-driver.  The worst part was that I was prepared for taxis trying to scam tourists.  Thinking that I was out-smarting him, I told him to turn on the meter… I should have been more alert when he had no problem doing so.  He started to drive, but there wasn’t a fare indicator on the meter.  When I questioned it, he quickly said that I was running, but the number just didn’t show (he flicked a switch quickly and number appeared briefly but then disappeared).  When we arrived, the meter read: 636 baaht.  I was astounded – this ride was supposed to cost around 100 baht ($4 CAD).  Not really sure what else to do, I paid it.  The worst was when he said, “For you, only 600 baaht.”  Thanks, jerk.

-Took a tuk-tuk ride from another scam-artist (although it was very fun when we weaved in and out of Bangkok traffic).  Look out for these guys – they approach you (the “farang”, or foreigner) tell you that they’ll take you around to see all of the temples, or the “Laughing Buddha”, but will stop at different vendors to get a cut of the merchandise you buy.  This guy drove me to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), where I was quoted for a trip at 26000 baht for a trip up in Northern Thailand.  No thanks.

-Found out that I booked my hostel room for the wrong day and had to book twice.

-Sweated my balls off.

-Met a really great group of travelers at the hostel (Born Free Hostel). We got some local Thai food from a tiny little place and proceeded to wander about the city, through markets, across deathly-busy streets.  We saw a few temples along the way, drank from coconuts and took a water taxi back.

In the evening, we chilled in the lounge for a few beers and shared some travel stories.  I met two fellow Canadians, Jacob from Sudbury and Tim from Kingston.  Jes is from Chicago, Toni is another American from Minnesota, and Diego is very Italian.

Later that night, we went down to the famous Khao San Road.  Picture street vendors and sweaty bodies of travelers from around the globe packed between clubs that were having a competition for who could blare their music the loudest (apparently it’s a marketing tactic).  We meandered through the street, dodged shady guys that insisted that we see a “ping-pong” show and went from bar to bar.  Tim and I even ate a roasted scorpion.

What was it like, you ask?  Imagine the crunchiest and smokiest bacon you can imagine… now you have any idea.

I wasted no time in crashing on a bed for the first time in two days – wonderful.  The men’s dorm was loaded with 6 bunk beds, but each bed had it’s own fan which made the Bangkok heat bearable.

Day 4 – Last day in Bangkok.

I dropped off my laundry at a shop that doubled as a small cafe.  This was different than I’m used to – I handed my clothes over to the lady with 50 baaht (price is per kg of laundry) and she told me to return at closing time.

In the afternoon, I walked down Ratchadamnoen Road, the road on which the royal family parades.  Thailand is a monarchy with King Bhumibol Adulyadej as the current ruler.  After speaking to more locals,it is clear that Thais have absolute respect and reverence for their leader – images of the king in queen can be found everywhere (in the street, in shops…) and they speak very highly of him.

I then went up Wat Saket, or the “Golden Mount” for it’s height and metallic character.  Although it’s a Buddhist temple, it was a tourist trap.  You pay 20 baht to go up, stand on the walls, and look at the city.

For my last night in Bangkok, I hit the town (i.e., Khao San Road) with some new friends.  It made for another interesting (and late!) night.

The next, I would leave for Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of the Siam Kingdom.