A Very Touristy Excursion from Bangkok

Rather than rambling around a large, somewhat polluted city filled with others doing the same, I decided it was time to sign up for an excursion!

I was also thinking, alright since I have been so successful at meeting people on my own, maybe I should pay to do so. At 7 am, I was whisked off by a small Thai woman to a minivan. From there we zoomed around to Khao San road to pick up the other tourists. But not after this woman had explained to me, the lone traveller, that I would be going into another minivan - "different trip". So, into van #2 I climbed, but oops no seats left, I'll have to sit in the front with the tour guide lady and driver. Hmm, so much for meeting anyone - this lady meets people everyday, she doesn't need another "friend"!

We headed off to two areas, the first is probably the most photographed vision of Thailand (top right photo). This is the so called "Floating Market".

What was once a very romantic, beautiful way of life has changed by the visiting of the farangs. We drove about 1 hour west of Bangkok to get to this area. Then to get into the floating market, we of course needed to be floating as well. Hopped into a boat, which took us on a 15 min ride, bumping over waves (Yes, there were waves in these canals because there are other empty boats heading to pick up other tourists), and occassionally being splashed. The italian guy behind me with his expensive video camera better be careful, those waves are coming awfully close.

Once we got out of the boat we were left to wander around for an hour or so. Imagine beautiful canals, with quaint little homes perched on stilts at each side. In the canals are wooden boats with vendors, mostly women, selling their wares. In the morning, this area would be filled with the locals, but by 10:30 it fills up with tourists being gracefully moved around shopping for chetkas. There are still food vendors, which offer the only sight of what it would really be like if we were not there.

From here we left for the afternoon portion of the trip - so all my italian friends (not really) were going back to the big smoke. So now I am whisked off to my third minivan. As luck would have it, I did have a chance to meet english speaking farangs! Two young women, one from England the other from Germany, were also travelling alone, met each other and spent a few days together in Bangkok. Immediately, my spirits were lifted higher than they have been this entire trip. Asked them tons of questions about travelling alone and all the associated logistics. Was really, really good to talk to someone.

Our second stop was lunch at a roadside canteen type of restaurant. The food was nothing like "canteen" food, we ate as much as we could and headed back on our bus. In the parking lot, the driver tells me that I am going into another minivan - oh, panic!, what about my "new friends" - of course, he has no idea about how I am feeling, but has been considerate enough to put me on this other minivan where I would have a better seat (prior to this I was on the kiddie seat in the front). So off I go, into van number 4! Get in, sit down -- NO ONE speaks english - three korean girls, 2 dutch boys, a couple (some eastern euro nationality) and me.

Off to Kanchanaburi ( a place that Michael Wray had recommended), for some sight seeing. It is here that they have the famous "Death River Bridge" (or the bridge over the River Kwai - photo top right). This is the bridge that was built by the POW and resulted in many, many deaths during its construction. The terraine was not favourable, and many of the prisoners were very sick at this point. It was a little bit sad, and considering my mood, not really that uplifting. However, history is not always filled with good stories - come to think of it, where are all the good stories?

The last part of our one day adventure was off to "Tiger Temple" (last photo above). In this area, about 1.5 hours from Kanchanaburi, tigers are housed as part of an effort to save them. The monks are represented as angels of the tigers (my interpretation), providing housing for these animals, and breeding and releasing into the wild (where of course, they will be poached to be ground up and sold in some "ancient healing" shop -- again, my opinion). Anyway, it was quite charming, but there is absolutely no temple visiting involved! We got there at 3:30 pm, tigers go back into their cages at 4! It was however, amazing to be so close to such a potentially dangerous animal. Many photos later and you feel elated that you were so close and even touched them. I was also able to walk with them, infact I was standing there not planning on walking with the poor guy, but in no time, a fellow grabbed my camera and there I was walking with the tiger and the monk. I was the first one, and not many actually had this opportunity since the poor tiger was becoming grumpy - and rightly so I say!

A long drive home, 2.3 hours. Our non-english speaking driver dropped us off at the side of a road claiming that Khao San road (and my landmark) was "right around the corner". Alright, so its dark, I haven't eaten in 6 hours (i.e. very low sugar level), and I am tired. Yep, you guessed it - almost in tears again - what is wrong with me?? ( I said to myself, quietly this time). Then I imagined Jon, he would say - "You need food, NOW" - guess what, he would be right. Found the first orange juice vendor and guzzled a bottle of juice. Felt better instantly.

Have I mentioned that this is my absolutely favourite new drink? At first I was skeptical, since it is the colour of Tang and suspiciously packaged in plastic water bottles. The first few days, I saw many people drinking it - but thought, you can't fool me into getting sick! Then one day I saw them freshly squeezing the small oranges - actually I suspect that they are a type of clementine - I knew it was real orange juice. Then one sip - Whew! I am addicted! A 500 mL bottle is a mere 25B, or about 80 cents! So now I am trying all the fruit shakes that I can find - last night was watermelon with dinner - absolutely fab! That combined with the fresh fruit chopped up and served in plastic cellophane bags with skewers for eating, is all very healthy and thirst quenching.

Had a red chicken curry dinner and headed off to bed, I was bagged after my big adventure. Slept 11 hours, and I now know that the jetlag is over (appetite is back and sleeping is fine).

Going to head off to the "Chinatown" area today to stroll around, and will pick up my visas tomorrow. That means that I am free to leave this big and lonely city. I think that I am heading up north to Chaing Mai to do some elephant trekking. Of course, I will keep you posted!

Brenda