Unique, weird, different! (Bangkok (Thailand))

Member Name: bump1111

Product:	Bangkok (Thailand)
Date:	28/07/09 (4 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Kind people, cheap.

Disadvantages: Heat would be a bit much for some, the hassle can get annoying but im just being picky

Boy is this city different! Going there as someone who'd only been to the Canary Islands and France it was one hell of a culture shock, of course you read all about it on the internet, watch things on youtube etc but nothing really prepares you for it.

First off, heading out of that exit at the airport and the most incredible heat just hits you, it is like permanently walking around in a sauna, the breeze doesnt cool you down the air is so hot its just like having a fan heater in your face constantly. But a regular whinger about the weather in England I cant complain about that!

We got a taxi, which I think ended up about 50p for a 40minute drive to our hotel and to say the driving is different there would be a bit of an understatement! Everyone seems to constantly bib their horn and cars are often positioned in zig zags on straight roads, it's really every man/woman for themselves.

The shopping is amazing, whether its food, clothes, little gadgets, toiletries etc. There is a huge huge variety of clothes with shopping malls all over the place, there is anything you can think of. I got a load of t shirts, tops and jeans and only spent about £30. Its incredible. You have to try food off the street stalls, you'll see them everywhere and either be attracted or put off by the smell! They sell meats, rice, curries, crickets! loads of stuff and usually a big portion for just 40p or so. Plus if you're worried about your food buying off the street you have the chance to watch it being prepared and cooked on some of them.

Its called the land of the smiles and its easy to think its a cliche but its definitely true. The people cant help you enough and while some of it is with their own agenda they are only trying to earn a living. We were taken round the city and to various places by a driver for a whole day and it cost something like £3, taxi drivers here wont even move for that. The hassle can get a bit much, especially if you feel shattered after a long day in the heat but these people are just trying to get by and we are in their country so a smile and no thanks does the trick if you dont want to talk.

Its just so different, the people, the smells, the way of life - coming from the airport you'll see a lot of poverty, I was eating in a restaurant then a man with an elephant walks past (dont give him any money), the heat, the roads. Its a unique place. It is easy to feel completely out of your depth here though as its just so not what we are used to.

And one final thing, if you're walking around and really struggling in the heat go into a shopping centre, they are all air conditioned and its so so nice when you walk in there.

Summary: Definitely vist!