Tuk-tuk a while but we’re finally here…
We are getting scarily close to the two-month mark of the RSBA and what a week it has been! We said our farewells to the motherland and hopped onto an Air India jet to Bangkok – four-and-a-half-hours later, we were there. Stepping off the plane I felt a huge sense of achievement – as some you will know I have had three thwarted attempts at visiting Thailand, and so imagine my glee at finally making it!
The first thing that hit me was how happy and smiley and polite everyone is. We had learnt the standard greeting (“Sawadi Kaaaa”) and so were able to manage with that as we glided effortlessly through Bangkok airport, encountering not a single bit of the chaos or confusion or hagglers or con-artists we’d become accustomed to, and found ourselves at our hotel in no time. What is this madness? – no one tried to fleece us for our money! But I wasn’t complaining, of course, just enjoying this refreshing new world I’d found myself in.
That’s not to say Bangkok doesn’t have its own quirks – we soon found ourselves wandering around the infamous Khao San Road (a backpacker’s haven), stunned by the blinding neon lights of bars, the headache-inducing street parties and the weird deep-fried insects on sticks (I mean how long have those actually been there for?) and I realised we were going to have to try harder to get out of these tourist-trap hotspots. But not before we partied until 2am with travellers from a variety of different lands, and actually had quite a bit of fun – I take back what I said two posts ago about us being too old for all this – these Resignated Survivors have still got it!
We spent days wandering around Bangkok’s beautiful temples and palaces, admiring the architecture and intricacies of these ancient places. And we found ourselves falling in love with the Thais and their respectful and colourful culture and couldn’t wait to explore more.
So we booked the next flight north and headed to Chiang Mai, where elephants (not cows, hurrah!) rule the roost (although you would be hard pressed to find elephants grazing by the side of the highway or freely running down a beach). The pace of Chiang Mai was a little slower than Bangkok but it gave us time to take a step back and appreciate the country and all it’s beauty. We hiked through the jungle, swam in waterfalls and spent time bathing the magnificent creatures at an elephant sanctuary and playing with them in the mud* and felt refreshed and finally feeling like we were in the swing of things on the RSBA.
Our final thoughts on this week, and probably the most notable is this: THAI FOOD IS THE BEST! After gorging ourselves on every variation of fried potato in India, it was so incredibly refreshing to try the whole spectrum of Thai delicacies, from pad thai and green curry to healthy stir fries and mango sticky rice (the latter of which Mr RS has adopted as a separate food group and now eats this exclusively for at least one of his main meals per day). Of course, we did a Thai cooking class and so perhaps we will treat a few of our (un)lucky followers to a full Thai banquet when we are back in London town.
Onwards we go, and next week we’ll let you know how we get on in paradise (island hopping around Thailand’s finest).
Much love,
The Resignated Survivors
*it later transpired this mostly contained elephant sh*t after we witnessed Daddy elephant make a massive deposit right in the middle of it all.
Lowlight of the week: Not really taking a guide’s advice on board that three-quarter-length trousers and a vest (covered with a scarf) is acceptable clothing to wear to a Thai temple. I thought I was sufficiently covered up only to be turned away by a security guard at the door in full view of said guide, who pointed and laughed (rather, cackled) at me (“Seeeee, why you no believe me??”) in front of EVERYONE. I sheepishly walked away, my head lowered in shame, and had to succumb to the overpriced tourist-trash elephant clothing they were selling to other such perpetrators. Not my finest moment.
Other notable things: Thailand loves a market and we spent a whole day wandering through the endless rows of clothes and souvenir stalls at Bangkok’s Chatuchak weekend market. It was actually quite fun although given we still have six months of our trip left to go, we couldn’t really buy anything, and so of course we just ended up where the Resignated Survivors love best – the street food stalls. YUM is all I can say. We also paid a visit to the Maeklong railway market, a market literally on the train tracks where several times a day the train travels right through it, and witnessed with amazement how swiftly the market traders packed up their things to let it pass, only then moments later to set it all back up again. Harder than it sounds!
Lessons learned: see “Lowlight of the week” above for how to dress at a Thai temple. Also, did I mention that Thai food is the best?
Fantastic start to your Thai adventure. Can’t wait to “tuk” into your version of Thai food upon your return.Temples elephants markets bring me more??And off course the photos brilliant .Enjoy Mum xxx
Delighted your enjoying your trip fella ,,yes the temples you have to cover up , love the photos . U defo have a eye for the camera mate
Beautifully written and awesome photos. Feels like I’m there with you in spirit. Enjoy and love to you both, Lak X
Beautifully written. I feel the blog tuk me to Thailand and left me craving for more (minus the elephant dump) !!
And the photos completes and captures the Thailand experience.
More of the same please xxxx
Fantastic write up! Felt the breath of fresh Thailand air and smell of elephant dung with you. Enjoy the beautiful islands. Can’t wait to see more pics! Love the railway market photo diary. Miss you guys x
What a super intro to Thailand… and loving the elephant experience… partying in Thailand sounds a lot of fun ….cannot wait for your next instalment…..it’s dreary in the UK and your stories fill my day with sunshine xxx
Sorry guys , I heard all about India from mum and dad , however the blogs written were very interesting and enjoyable. Looks like you are enjoying Thailand , don’t forget to try slices of mangoes or pinnaples with salt and chilles at the markets. I could feel the great adventure you guys are doing if only I was younger !!! Any way enjoy? and stay safe. Lots of love nilesh , bharti and shanay.
Ps . Happy Diwali and sal my barak ?
Mmm, mango sticky rice sounds lovely… we look forward to the Thai feast at Chez Khira!
I am enjoying reading your blogs they are really well constructed and capture the true essence of your experiences so glad you are having an amazing time and happy to be sharing it with you. The elephants look so gentle carry on adventuring and take care, Ani Masi xx
Enjoying sharing your tales of adventure so pleased that you are having an amazing time. Take care xx
Sawadi Ka! You made it there, yay! Haha the mud bath… ah that sounded horrific! And love, you’re rocking the trashy elephant clothing they sold to you… Remember what you’ve always said to me, ‘its not what you wear, it’s how you wear it!’ =)
Have you tried a traditional Thai massage yet?
And I’m looking forward to our Thai meal when you get back! xx
So happy you finally made it to Thailand!!
Chatuchak market is my favourite place in Bangkok
Sounds incredible!
No mention of that cute puppy however….
Stay safe xx
So jealous of you guys enjoying Elephant time even the sh*t part (all prt of the fun and nature). I hope I am invited to the Thai food night when you get back.
Happy to see that you are having an amazing time .
We are so tempted to do the trip. Your blog is an interesting read
Can’t wait to see more .
Take Care xx