Trip to Bangkok

Just got back from Bangkok this morning… I went there with a friend I met in the June 2006 NLE along with a couple of June 2007 Board Takers/ Passers. The trip became interesting because of the circumstances that we encountered and the people I was with turned our trip into a Reality TV Series. Prior to this trip, I have traveled a lot; in other words, I was on a tight budget.

Day 1 - Left the airport an hour late according to flight plan. Took CebuPacific(Php 10,300) . The flight itself was pleasant, they don’t have on-board snacks and drinks. Arrived at the Bangkok Airport at 1:00am in the morning (Bangkok is one hour behind our time). The airport is nice. Didn’t know exactly how to get to the guesthouse from the hotel, so We asked questions to a fellow Pinoy (He was happy to comply). Took the taxi from the airport (cost about PHP500). Got to our rooms (In Charlie House, they pronounce it as “Cha-lie Hau”), Disappointed about the room itself, but it was still cool considering the amount they charged us (PHP 400 per night!).

Day 2 – Woke up around 8am. Our first day to go around Bangkok. I was happy that I took along my PDA (Lifedrive Palm OS 4 gig) and downloaded a software on how to go around Bangkok using Public Transportation. Took the train to Siam Central (PHP 43). Ate at McDonald’s for breakfast, ordered Fillet-O-fish Meal (PHP121). They have a lot of malls in Bangkok, almost a mall per corner. We met this taxi Driver who agreed to take us around the whole day. The driver charged us PHP 715, not bad considering that he had a Volvo. The Driver’s extremely hospitable, we had a long conversation about Manny Pacquiao and about our country and theirs.
Destination 1 – Jewerly Shop. The biggest of its kind in the world. Before entering, they offered us complimentary drinks and we had one guide per group.
Destination 2 – Temple – Took pictures but were too lazy to go in.
Destination 3 – Pratunam Market; this is the place to buy stuff for pasalubong. In its middle is the famous Bayoke Sky Hotel (Next time I’ll stay here). Found good bargains and Nasty Sales Ladies.
Destination 4 – Restaurant – Really good food but also really hot! If your into spicy food, good for you, as for me, the sweat is all worth it.

Things I learned about Bangkok: Watch out for cars on the street, they won’t slow down to miss you. Always use your ear; Motorcycles might hit you from the back while you’re walking on the
SIDEWALK!

Day 3 – We booked a tour from the Guesthouse. It cost PHP1860 per head (there were 4 of us). We left the guesthouse at 7:30pm.
1st Destination – Brown Sugar making place
2nd Destination – Furniture Expo; they had exemplary wooden carving that were priced at US$210,000 and above. Took nice pictures there.
3rd Destination - Floating Market. The Damn itself has a rich historical background. Back in the day, the King traveled a very long time to visit his Mom, so he made a shortcut, which is the damn that is now the Floating Market.
4th Destination - Lunch
5th Destination – Magic Show, Elephant and crocodile Show
6th Destination – Cultural show ( The only thing that caught my attention was the part about Muay Thai)
Reached the Guesthouse at 7:30pm. We crossed the street to the Night Market.

Day 4 – Our official last day. I never thought that our last day would be full of frustrations, disappointment and Drama.

Frustration – I lost my Digital Camera and PDA!!!! It happened in the Grocery Food court. The authority nearby advised us not to waste our time to go to the police. All I felt was disbelief and denial at first.

Disappointment – After I lost my camera, we went back to the guesthouse. I wanted to go out with the group to Siam Square. I waited upstairs on the room for them to get ready and they just left without us (The two people with us left while we were waiting).

Drama – Beforehand we agreed to share a taxi to the airport. But now out of anger, we planned to leave them behind. The thing is that I couldn’t get to do it to them. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, I tried calling them. On the way downstairs, I asked my friend if I can at least tell them, He agreed that in 5 mins, if I wasn’t downstairs, he would leave me behind as well (I already gave him my share for the taxi ride).

In the end, after a few tears later (Not from me though), we all took the taxi together to the airport. It was an emotional rollercoaster…