Bangkok Trip Day01: The Centre of the Backpacking Universe
November 16, 2006
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Backdated post. Actual event took place on 17 August 2006.
… I smell Tom Yam. Er… I mean I smell Thai. I woke up only to notice I am still in the plane. Still wondering what to do. That’s when Jimbo woke up too and he start impressing me with his iPod videos and showed me adicolour ads. I was amazed with the ads.
We then safely touch down at Thailand International Airport. Gone through massive checks… walk out to find transportation to our hotel.
As we walk to the information counter, I notice there were lots of brochure about Thailand available, but the sad part, it’s all in Japanese or Korean language. At the counter, we got a cab to our hotel. The cab fare cost 700 Baht inclusive of tol fares.
By the way, the exchange rate: RM1 = 8.57 Baht.
We walk out to our cab only to notice Shinhwa (famous Korean boy band) is arriving also. We saw lots of fans holding big banners and all waiting for them to arrive.
Just as I board the cab to get to out hotel, it was amazing! It’s like I have been living in the cave for like a million years. Everything seems different. Little little things amaze me. I somehow find their ads more creative (although I don’t really know what most of them is talking about). They have a lot of ads on the glasses of the buildings.
It took us 45 minutes to reach the hotel. The jam in Thailand wasn’t as bad as what being rumoured. It was alrite. I think it was somehow far better than some of the jams I had back in Malaysia.
We check in to Viengtai Hotel which was located at Khao San (the centre of the backpacking universe). Loads of travellers, perfect spot for cheap stuffs, bars that open till late night and many other exciting stuff.
After we check in and dump our luggage, we sit back, pulled out the map we took just now and plan what we will be doing for the next 3 days. Looking at infos that Jimbo print out, notes his Thai friends gave him, we finally have everything planned.
We then walk around Khao San for food. There were actually many eating place around. Lots of roadside stalls, hawker food along the way. No worries of getting hungry any time of the day.
We decided to eat at Pannee Guest House to eat. It was just like 3 minutes walk from the hotel. It wasn’t really any fancy place since we wanted something more local and thai. Something not so classy yet not too dodgy. Moderation is the keyword.
Jimbo ordered Shrimp Fried Rice (65 Baht), I ordered Fried Rice with Pineapple, Cashewnuts and Shrimp (70 Baht). What is visiting Thailand all about if I miss out the Pineapple Fried Rice?
We also ordered Chicken Soup with Coconut and Chili (80 Baht) to share. As for drinks, we each have Ice Tea (25 Baht).
I don’t know what to say. The food here comes in this really big portion. With generous amount of shrimp and yet the price was reasonable.
It just tasted good. I don’t know what they throw in.. but it was really really good. It tasted just right. Not too salty, not too spicy, not too oily. I obviously love the taste since I love lemongrass :). I think it was one of the best herbs ever found!
But I must say the soup was rather sourish for my taste. Erm… maybe I didn’t expect it to be sour in the first place since most sour stuff over in Malaysia are normally red (e.g Asam Laksa).
Address: Pannee Guest House
Soi Rambutri, Chanasongkram Telephone Number: (662) 282 5576
Right after luch, we took out the map and started our journey. We started to roam around our area only to notice the street behind our hotel was pretty much like Petaling Street (refer to top most picture). Busy with lots of stalls that sells cloths, pyjamas, food and etc.
