Well I did it. I made it to Thailand and boy have the last seven days been pretty epic. The total amount of time that it took for me to get here was 30 hours. I ended up spending four days in Bangkok which is more than enough honestly for anyone that is visiting Thailand. Bangkok is a city of constant chaos, a bit more intense than New York City. People are always trying to haggle you and have you buy their stuff on the side of the road. You just have to keep walking forward and say nothing and you’ll be fine. The hostel that I stayed at for four days was located by Khao Son Road, a road known for partying on the weekends. The first night I went to this road I was accompanied by one of the locals of the hostel. The road was definitely a tourist spot for young people that wanted to get fucked up. They have multiple bars on this long road that play 6 month old top hit charts from the states to try to lure people in. Beer and drinks here are pretty expensive going around 3.5 dollars to 4 depending on the beer and honestly I have no idea about the food. 11pm is the time you want to go out and not spend too much money because thats when the streets turn into a huge party with people of all different types of backgrounds. The party lasts till 2pm and then you can go to the club till 4pm. Honestly if you like partying a lot this is the place for you otherwise just know there are people that are really fucked up throwing up in puke buckets and making a fool of themselves like we were back in high school again.
The markets are pretty insane in Bangkok. I went to the largest market in that town and man you can spend days there. This market is only open on the weekends and everyone and their mom goes there so its busy as hell with people shoulder to shoulder. It kind of reminded me of a flee market back home in Florida but on a bigger scale with a lot of weird smells. Of course this market is cheap as hell like most things in Thailand and you can get anything you want like food, clothing, and items for gifts. Chatuchak Market is the name and it is a must see.
The weekends are the best time in Bangkok, Thailand. There a lot more things open like the Chatuchak Market and action. Kickboxing fights are pretty much a scam for tourist unless a local tells you an exact one to go to. I went to a free fight only offered on the weekend at Channel News 7 in Bangkok. People were screaming at me, telling me to pay as I walked inside but I just ignored them and still was able to watch the kickboxing match. The fights were fucking intense. There were little kids fighting (about 12) at first turning themselves bloody and blue and then the age worked its way up to grown man. This was local as shit and people seemed to just go there to bet their money away on these fights. The sound was ear ringing and intense with people shouting every time a fighter was hit. I was packed like a sardine in the stands for about 3 hours but I loved every second of it.
Temples are everywhere in Bangkok, all of them are probably fantastic but the two main temples to go to were the Grand Palace Temple and the Wat Pho, home of the huge laying buddha. I didn’t go to the Grand Palace Temple, everyone in my hostel said it was too chaotic with thousands of Chinese people shoulder to shoulder trying to take pictures and being rude as hell. The other one though was amazing. Very clean and not that many people around. Children were training to become monks and you could listen to them sing and it was so beautiful that it would keep you mind at ease and have you feel enlightened.
The last thing I did in Bangkok was go to China Town. It reminded me of New York City’s China Town but a little bit bigger and brighter. Again I was shoulder packed tight in the streets and very uncomfortable. The only thing worth going to this place is the food.
I left Bangkok after four days and went to Chiang Mai in the North. Chiang Mai is super chill and more relaxing than Bangkok and still has that city feel. There’s a lot of good markets here as well and temples like the usual. I went to another kickboxing fight for 20 bucks and got scamed so there is the proof and I also went to an elephant sanctuary. Don’t listen to your hostel for Thai fighting they are in on it and get commission. Don’t believe everything you hear. I’m too damn nice and been getting scammed like hell saying yes to everything. If you do the whole elephant thing definitely do the humane one where you just touch it and not ride it. Also if you do it, I recommend the half day. The full day in 20 bucks more and it only includes a mud bath where they elephants lay in mud that is full of their shit and piss. It was really fucking gross and I thought I was going to catch something after watching an elephant shit and piss 10 gallons in this little pool. The washing of the elephants in the river is really cool and they are really friendly. They live a very spoiled life so you don’t feel bad at all.
In Chiang Mai everyone said I had to go to a cooking class and it is a must do. Boy were they right. I did a full day of cooking starting at 9:30am to 3pm with 7 courses for only 23 bucks. They take you to the market and show you what certain foods are and then you buy the food and head over to the cooking school to start whipping stuff up. I don’t really like the Thai food but this shit was bananas. So many flavors were attacking your taste buds and had you in the biggest high. Seven meals later I was in a food coma and falling asleep at the table. For 9 dollars cheaper you can do a half day and again just do the half day. So far that is what I learned in Thailand. Always do the half day.
The Last good bit I did in Chiang Mai was go to a lady boy show. Now I was pretty skeptical about this because some shows they legit sexually harass you groping and touching you in the places your girlfriend should only touch. I had to load myself up with some beer to prepare and then on I went to submerse myself in the culture. The lady boy show was amazing, absolutely amazing. It was like I went to a full on broadway show for 13 bucks with a free beer. The dancing and the storyline was too good and they barely even messed with you. The worst I got was some lady boy coming behind me at different acts of the show giving my nipples a twist but thats it. I was awed at how much they really look like girls and was freaked out at the same time.
Now I’m chilling in Pai just north of Chiang Mai. This is known as the hippie city of Thailand and is a must do according to the season backpacker. The journey here is an awful one with a beautiful view. A journey through the mountains of Thailand with 760 turns in a bus of a crazy Thai driver. Two people were puking their brains out the whole ride and I was hungover because of that lady boy show. I survived however and I am looking forward to see what this city has to offer.
Writing down my thoughts is very hard to do on a constant traveling routine through this lovely country. Taking pictures of everything on my actual camera is very hard too. I always think it is going to get stolen and then regret it when I don’t have it. For my next blog post I will have many more pictures for the viewer to see. I would love to describe each event to the smallest detail but there is just way too much stuff I am doing in a week and I cannot make time to blog a day by day occurrence. I love traveling and recommend people my age or a little bit older and younger to do it while they can. It’s super easy and traveling alone you’re never alone. I have been blessed to meet some many people along the way and many more in the future. Sharing my experiences with people from foreign soil and laughing and smiling along the way. The journey has just begun and good times are ahead.
Simple Guy Goes For A Journey 