Trip Report : Introduction to Bangkok

Arrival in Bangkok was without issue.  Again, I had no transportation from airport to hotel set up but we decided to take a cab rather than navigate yet another metro system where we knew English would not be spoken.  We paid for a cab (about a $14 fare) to the hotel which was located in Sukhumvit, a  very well respected part of the city.  I made sure I had the driver use the meter rather than a flat rate which is how the drivers like to charge.  Being that it was early we had only a few traffic issues, Bangkok is known for horrendous traffic conditions.

Typical Bangkok intersection

It was my choice to go to Bangkok.  Not sure why, it just sounded exotic and mysterious.  At first site Bangkok is nothing special, I did notice signs welcoming me to the Kingdom and saw shrines for their King and Queen on every corner.  The Thais love their King and as a Westerner you had better understand and accept that fact. The King is the longest reining monarch in history something like 67 years on the throne and honestly I can't see what good has been done  because poverty is everywhere.  The country can be beautiful but whatever wonderful natural resources they are have being ruined by greed.  It really is culture shock.

I carefully researched hotel properties.  Everything is so cheap in Bangkok even the ultra luxury hotels like the Ritz and Four Seasons can be had for a couple hundred a night at max compared to thousands elsewhere but I chose to try out a Club Carlson property since I was swimming in points from their recent promotions (review on their property tomorrow). We were only staying in Bangkok 2 nights but after 2 hours both my travel companion and I were ready to leave.  Perhaps jet lag finally hit, maybe it was the intense heat and humidity, whatever the reason my first impressions were not good.

Travelers to Bangkok have to be on their guard.  The hotel was on a narrow street off the main thoroughfare. Next to the hotel was a makeshift restaurant and a quaint Asian type bar next to that called Palm 18.  The bar had no walls but had very inviting, large, sofa type seats, everything was surrounded by bamboo, and ceiling fans unstifled the thick air.

We went in and ordered two beers.  Anything that came with ice or did not come from a bottle you personally did not see opened was a no no. Beer would be the beverage of choice in Thailand.  We sat in the bar watching cats roam around us, while water flowed in an open drain by our feet.  Young travellers next to us suggested we go down a few doors and have a massage by the ladies with the red pants.  We arrived at the massage shop and we quickly were sat next to each other and for the next hour had the most relaxing foot/leg massage for less than $6 per person.  I was asked to put on a pair of the red pants since my capris would restrict my massage.

Looking very local in my Thai fisherman's pants

It was all so very relaxing until Diva decided to get cute with a camera trying to snap my photo while I dozed off, but higher forces must have been looking out for me because I was abruptly awakened to find Diva sprawled out on the tile floor next to me in a pool of water.  She stood up with her feet still soaking in her water bowl, slipped on the tile, upset the water all over the place, fell flat on her ass and had at least half a dozen Thai women in red pants scurrying around cleaning up water while making sure she was ok (she was) all the while wondering I'm sure if the American was going to put them out of business.  Basically, Diva upset their ecosystem of operation for several tense minutes until we all laughed.  Yup, laughter broke the ice.  Everyone laughed when the Americans laughed and things then proceed back to normal. As soon as Diva could laugh at herself everyone could relax.  Of course every time we walked up or down the street we were Swa Di Ka’d to death (standard Thai greeting for hello), because they recognized her coming and going.   So now despite the water follies we were ready to take on Bangkok or at the very least attempt to eat in Bangkok.  

The famous Cabbages and Condoms restaurant was our first stop.  Thailand has the highest rate of HIV in the world and this restaurant was started to bring social awareness of this fact.  Part of the profits from your dinner go to support HIV awareness and being this is Bangkok only Westerner’s seem to raise their eyebrows at the name.

Condom man, yup those are condoms covering his body

Beautiful condom covered light fixtures adored the restaurant

Not in the mood for an after dinner mint, no worries, have a condom

We had hoped to go out afterwards to explore the famous night scenes/activities but by 8pm it was lights out on this day.