Bangkok and Beyond

Alright there blog faithfuls, here we are at the next update. Albeit belated, the last few weeks have settled into a pleasant rhythm of life, one that leaves me wanting less to be on the internets. But I will deliver travel tidbits as promised to confirm that I am in fact well and beyond question having a wonderful time.

A boat ride and a lingering downpouring rain day of delay delay at the train station brought a bit of adventure to shake the islands off along the way. Before too soon I found myself in the depths of one of the worlds largest population centers; not really my forte. But fret not, as I was not alone. By no small feat, Levi and I were still chums. In addition we picked up a new friend, Kelly by making him miss his train and subsequently bonding over the hilarity of him being ridiculed/assisted by a monk to get a new train ticket.

    Silom lunch time with Kelly and Levi

There really wasn't much I found redeeming about Bangkok to be honest, it was loud and the less savory issues of the Thai tourism were brought into full focus. Not to say I didn't have a good time, I just don't like cities. The highlight was most definitely the neighborhood of Bangkok we stayed in called Silom. It was nice compared to the trustifarian and frat boy slum of Ko San Road, the traditional backpacker hangout.
 By far crown jewel of this new playground was diving into the cultural deep end of the Silom Lunch market, where I could count on one hand the number of tourists amongst hundreds of everyday lunch and go nine-to-five Thais. Siting on long benches under florescent light, the crowded open air market let us sample foods that we had no name for, but loved anyway.












 Lunch market fried dough vendor makin' the magic happen
                                                                                                             



Other highlights of the BKK involved a trip to the government super-complex to get visas for my cohorts, which was more fun than I could have ever imagined, including performance art drink preparation and foot massage available. As well as repeated visits to the gastronomic and visual overload that was Chinatown at night. From glowing red lanterns, roasted chestnuts and foreign arrangements of various bit of animals, China town was something to let wash over you as you wander narrow crowded alleyways packed with people.

The Bangkok binge came to an end with our trio spliting up. Levi to Cambodia to live on a farm and Kelly and I north to Sukothai to see the some epic ruins. This was accomplished by yet another train ride, as I said they are not always on time but pleasant enough if you have the patience for delay.

Sukothai was the capitol of Siam for about two centuries starting in the 13th. There are now a couple of parks where bustling cities once stood where tourists such as myself gawk at the ruins. The vast majority of the ruins are wats (temples) with statues of the Buddha in classic postures. The first park, in old Sukothai was easy enough to walk around in a day, taking pictures and imagining all the people that lived in the spaces between the brick temples, in homes that did not stand the test of time as well. The park was peaceful enough, though you could tell full well that many people were there to get it checked off the list of sights, breezing though just long enough to snap a quick photo.

Kelly and I along with a new friend from France named Adeline tended towards lingering in the soft grass under trees, looking up at crumbling brick structures and talking about life. It was kind of erie being faced with the crumbles of a city, all that was left behind of peoples lives to be remembered slowly turning back to dirt.
The town of New Sukothai was pleasant and sleepy compared to the metropolis, and we settled to a sleepy guest house run by a warm welcoming Thai family.
The second day we sent ourselves out to another park about an hour by bus called Si Satchanalai, during the same period this was a manufacturing hub that produced pottery prized throughout the world. The park was what seemed to be in the middle of nowhere, with few tourists to our surprise. Bicycles were rented to explore the larger park with a varying topography and wats on


Ade and myself hangin' at the Historical Park





hills with huge flocks of birds. While waiting for our bus home we met a character of epic proportions, what I think

Gollum would be like if he was Thai and not a total murderous jerk with an attitude problem. This fellow had old tattoos on his arms, not a tooth in his mouth and a bicycle with a motorbike chain on it. Positively delighted by the digital camera, we laughed and took turned taking pictures and showing him his face on the screen to his elation and delight. He was quite possibly the happiest person I have ever met.

After the history lesson and Bangkok detox, Kelly and I headed north back to my old stomping ground of Chaingmai, where I became the newest rock climbing bum resident, killing time awaiting
an opening at a nearby farm to host me for my very last week in Thailand. It's really quite interesting how very un-alone I've been while traveling despite coming here with little plans and no companions. Guess that's just the magic of travel.












All the pictures with people in them are by Kelly and his fancy pants camera and talent for digital likeness capture.