Bangkok and Ayutthaya

Well well well... Thailand, here we are.

You are looking at a very unhappy bunny - or should I say bunnies. We really didn't like Bangkok. I more than didn't like it. We were there for three days and I wanted to pack my bags and go home. So glad to be away now.

It's a super busy place, lots of people and lots of stuff going on. The food is delicious and cheap, but at times it felt like the cesspool of humanity. So many people love it but I don't see the attraction...

Our hotel was nice, just parallel to the Khao San, but very quiet and nice. The problems began as soon as you set foot out the door when everyone wanted to take your money, scam you and piss you off. Walking dollar signs someone said and that's what every non-Thai person is. You get hassled at every step and the city wasn't that convenient to get around in. We saw some of the sights, and lots of wats (temples) but the place is not very walker friendly and people hassle you for cabs and tuk tuks the whole time. It got to a point that whenever someone spoke to us, we ignored them.

We had some nice times like the river taxis, which are great to get around in and met some nice people and had lovely food. The rest of the time though, I was just suspicious and paranoid because even if you only ask for directions, people would deliberately tell you the wrong way. Even people who work for the official government tourist organisation would lie to us and tell us wrong train times just to try and pressure us into booking other holidays. It was awful.

Anyway, we also rode on some normal buses, which were great and you didn't get bothered then and people were nice. We also managed to see the Grand Palace, though it was shut, went to the standing buddha and saw Chinatown and other markets and places. Funnily enough though, after being bullied into taking a tuk tuk, we managed to loose him after going to the Golden Mount - we couldn't find him afterwards at all!! So strange - I don't know what happened to him and we hadn't paid him ... oh dear ... I was very willing though!

So after our time in Bangkok, we took a train to the ancient city of Ayutthaya. It's great here - we're in a nice little place and we don't get hassled. It's friendlier and more relaxed. The train journey was great too, we went 3rd class on this rumbly train and it took 1.5 hours. It was more on time than British Rail and the toilets were clean, too! Plus, people were on the train selling lots of yummy food and ice cold drinks!!!! Very interesting and convenient - the journey cost us 30B, which is something like 40p for the two of us.

Today we had another look round Ayutthaya and hired some bikes which was fun, but tomorrow, we will make our way to Kanchanaburi. Apparently it takes six hours by bus... oh dear... but am looking forward to it. Starving now, so will close now - am eating Phad Thai at least once a day and anything else that comes my way - everything is so delicious!

Am trying to speak Thai as well, but not very successful... it's a tonal language and I'm not getting it right - it's hard, but it would be cool t be able to speak it!