The train from Bangkok pulled into Chiang Mai exactly on time. The quaint station, the most northerly in Thailand disgorged it's passengers, mostly young backpackers onto the station platform. I had already booked my accommodation on line so headed outside the station to look for a taxi. As luck would have it, among the many hawkers on the station with placards for various guest houses was one for the very place that I was staying. A free ride! Ding Dong!
SK 2 was a lovely little place. I'm not sure how many rooms it had but it seemed friendly and well run. I was shown to my room. This time I had plumped for a fan rather than Aircon as it was less than half the price. The room was large and clean. Situated on the fourth floor it overlooked the monastery next door. It didn't have the luxury of a TV in the room but given the only channels on the TV's so far had been CNN and Thai, that wasn't an issue.
The guest house did have a pool however and also free WiFi in the communal areas. After settling in my room I went back downstairs to formally check in. I also took the opportunity to check my e-mails. I was overjoyed to see one from Severn Trent Water. Following the leak I had an outstanding bill for £3600. This really pissed me off as I thought the water company were being a bit uncharitable. My sleepless night activity if writing to the CEO of the company had not been unrewarding . The email from Severn Trent was writing off the whole amount. Great news. I didn't push my luck by asking for the £50 I had already paid to be refunded too.
I spent the afternoon chilling in the restaurant area by the pool reading. Had a bit of lunch and celebrated my good fortune with the water company by having a couple of beers. The prices were noticeably lower than in Bangkok. A large Chang was 60 Bht compared to the 110 Bht in the capital. I retired early to finish reading my book.
Waking up at 6:00, the sun streaming through the window, the birds chirping and the monks from the monastery singing their morning prayers couldn't be more different to Bangkok. Paradise. Looking over the balcony, taking this all in, I saw a young western girl, staggering down the lane, obviously still pissed from the night before. Hmm 'you win some you lose some' .
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Saturday 25 June 2011
Friday 24 June 2011
The Sleeper from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
What a wonderful nights sleep....
There is something about sleeper trains, I don't known what it is but I sleep like a log. Despite the noise and the movement, the constant stops. I woke at around 6.30 with the sun streaming through the lower berth window as we wound our way slowly through the jungles and mountains of Northern Thailand. It was a beautiful day, as I laid in the bunk I reflected on how lucky I was to be taking such a long and varied trip. Very lucky. The countryside was stunning. Mountains, jungle, paddy fields and the quaint pretty stations that looked like something from 'The Railway Children' albeit on a different continent.
The train had left Bangkok slightly late at 7.50. I was travelling on one of the newer trains. They are very similar to the old fashioned British trains, the ones with compartments but have curtains rather than doors. I had chosen a lower berth as there is slightly more room to stretch out. I was right at the front end of then train and had the whole compartment to myself. Although I quite like the camaraderie of a full train this was quite nice too. Ordering a beer I watched through the window as we stopped and started at the small stations. Slowly making our way out of the metropolis into the countryside. I was tired. My sleep pattens are still not back to normal. At around 10.00 1 made up my bed, closed the curtain on the world and went to sleep. For the first time in 10 days I slept well.
No breakfast, memories of the cold chips, sweating cheese and limp salad flooded back. I ordered a coffee. I guess railway food and drink the world over is the same. Bad quality and overpriced. The Beer was a third more than it was in a Bangkok bar and the coffee was nearly £1. Lukewarm and bitter. Hey Ho.
Next stop, Chiang Mai......
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There is something about sleeper trains, I don't known what it is but I sleep like a log. Despite the noise and the movement, the constant stops. I woke at around 6.30 with the sun streaming through the lower berth window as we wound our way slowly through the jungles and mountains of Northern Thailand. It was a beautiful day, as I laid in the bunk I reflected on how lucky I was to be taking such a long and varied trip. Very lucky. The countryside was stunning. Mountains, jungle, paddy fields and the quaint pretty stations that looked like something from 'The Railway Children' albeit on a different continent.
The train had left Bangkok slightly late at 7.50. I was travelling on one of the newer trains. They are very similar to the old fashioned British trains, the ones with compartments but have curtains rather than doors. I had chosen a lower berth as there is slightly more room to stretch out. I was right at the front end of then train and had the whole compartment to myself. Although I quite like the camaraderie of a full train this was quite nice too. Ordering a beer I watched through the window as we stopped and started at the small stations. Slowly making our way out of the metropolis into the countryside. I was tired. My sleep pattens are still not back to normal. At around 10.00 1 made up my bed, closed the curtain on the world and went to sleep. For the first time in 10 days I slept well.
No breakfast, memories of the cold chips, sweating cheese and limp salad flooded back. I ordered a coffee. I guess railway food and drink the world over is the same. Bad quality and overpriced. The Beer was a third more than it was in a Bangkok bar and the coffee was nearly £1. Lukewarm and bitter. Hey Ho.
Next stop, Chiang Mai......
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Wednesday 22 June 2011
A Passport to India.
The last few days in Bangkok before setting out to Chiang Mai were filled with sightseeing, reading and trying to sleep. The little hotel I had found just by the river was just perfect. WiFi in the room was useful as I could do research on the areas I was plan to visit in Nepal and India after by course in Thailand.
There is lots to see in Bangkok. Most of the authentic stuff is off the beaten track. If there is one disadvantage of the Khaosan Road are it is the transport links to other parts of the city. I had not bothered to investigate the
local bus or boat but certainly if you wanted to get to the major attractions you had to either walk or take a taxi or TukTuk. The prices were just so inconsistent. It is recommended that you always ride in a metered cab but many of them are anxious not to put the meter on and want to haggle a price. I worked out that I had spend more money getting to and from the Indian embassy than I had on food and drink..
By Monday I was getting a bit bored of the big city and was desperate to get north. Fortunately, logging onto the Indian embassy website my visa was ready for collection. I needed to pick it up between 4:30 and 5:30 that evening. I took a taxi to the BTS station. The train to Siam Square and the walked the couple of miles to Embassy building. Pavements in Bangkok are not good. Add to that the fact that half of it is invariably clutter with street sellers and tuktuks, it makes life a bit difficult for the average pedestrian on a mission. The walk took probably twice as long as it's should have and I arrived at the embassy sweating like a bacon pig. I didn't have to wait long. The numb I had picked up at security was called. I was given an envelope, signed a receipt and I was the proud owner of an Indian visa for 6 months rather than the standard three months with 're-entry permitted' stamped across the middle. Ding Dong.
I did the same walk back to Siam Square, this time opting for the skywalks. An elevated walkway above the street. It was much more civilised and altogether less frustrating. Rather than take the train to the National Stadium I jumped in a taxi queue at Siam. At the front of the queue I was asked my destination and the taxi guy shouts it out over a microphone. A good half dozen drivers shook their head. The traffic in Bangkok is appalling. Not as bad as it used to be 20 years ago but still appalling. Taxi drivers seem to be selective about their fares on the likelihood of getting snagged up in a traffic jam. Khaosan is one of those routes where that is likely. Especially as this was a taxi rank and the drivers are obliged to use the meter, who can blame them. The metered ride costs around £2 but can take up to 50 minutes, especially at 6:00pm on a Friday evening. Eventually one nodded to the microphone holding chappy and I was on my way. 100baht and an hour later I was at the lobby of my hostel, in the travel agents organising a ticket for the 7:35 train to Chiang Mai the following evening. Booking it through the travel agent did attract a premium as you might expect. The travel agents had to make their money somehow. That said, the service delivered the ticket to the hostel and the premium was less than a one way trip by tuktuk to the railway station.
That evening I ate at the street food stall, not brilliant but an edible fried rice and Thai green curry for just 80p. This budget has to last !
Another restless night interspersed with membership to the 'wide-awake' club. I think it was actually getting light when I felt tired enough to put my book down and get some sleep. I needed to check out at midday. I could have booked half a day in the hostel but thought better of it. Looking at accommodation in Australia, it was much more expensive and I'd need to have more than the $50 dollars per day that I had budgeted for the trip. Reducing my daily spend in the next three months was a requirement..
I had breakfast over the road from the hostel. An american breakfast and my first cup of tea in weeks!
It was a lovely day. Across the road was a little park with benches so I took the opportunity to spend a few hours reading in the sunshine in this quiet oasis bang slap in the middle of a big city. I'd been there less than 15 minutes when the park was swarmed by schoolgirls and an English teacher. I may learn something here I thought so put my book down and observed.
The English teacher was giving the girls instruction. What he wanted them to do was go and pick out a tourist and ask them questions using the video's on the mobile phone to record the 'interview' what a brilliant idea. I got picked and spent an interesting 30 minutes being asked questions. 'where was I from', 'did I like Bangkok' , 'where was I going' that sort of stuff. I tried my hardest to lose my accent and we seemed to understand each other. When they got stuck they called the teacher over. A really nice bloke. Got his work cut out with 30 schoolgirls. He had done his TEFL course two years ago and had been working in this girls academy ever since. He loved it. His MD ( most of the private schools are businesses and run as such' had mandated that every Tuesday afternoon he took the girls out and they got to use the English conversational skills in the real world. A cracking idea.
Time was getting on. I needed to be at the railway station by 6.45. Picking up my bags from the hostel I took at tuktuk to the station. The drive there made me even more relieved that I was leaving the big city for the provinces. As usual it was a race against time. For the driver rather than me. He was stressed out big style. Darting, braking, tutting, pressing his horn. We had agreed on 150 baht. It took almost an hour. I could have probably walked there faster. I'd have been sweaty but nowhere near as stressed. His anxiety and stress was actually transferring to me. We finally got there in one piece, which was a blessing in itself. At times I had visions of being despatched to somewhere more permanent than the railway station such was his static driving.
The station was packed, loads of backpackers sprawled on the floor waiting for their trains. As usual, at 6:00pm everything stopped and everyone stood for the national anthem. I think that is so quaint. I got speaking to a young Turkish lad who was on his way to Tokyo to study. He was absolutely amazed that I was travelling for so long. He was also absolutely amazed that I was doing it at my age. He suggested I was 40 ( which was nice, bless him) when I told him I was over 50 he nearly fell over. He was intrigued how I financed the trips. 'work hard and save hard' I think in 30 years time he may well be doing the same thing. He loved it.
At 7:00 the gate opened and I made my way to the platform. ....
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There is lots to see in Bangkok. Most of the authentic stuff is off the beaten track. If there is one disadvantage of the Khaosan Road are it is the transport links to other parts of the city. I had not bothered to investigate the
local bus or boat but certainly if you wanted to get to the major attractions you had to either walk or take a taxi or TukTuk. The prices were just so inconsistent. It is recommended that you always ride in a metered cab but many of them are anxious not to put the meter on and want to haggle a price. I worked out that I had spend more money getting to and from the Indian embassy than I had on food and drink..
By Monday I was getting a bit bored of the big city and was desperate to get north. Fortunately, logging onto the Indian embassy website my visa was ready for collection. I needed to pick it up between 4:30 and 5:30 that evening. I took a taxi to the BTS station. The train to Siam Square and the walked the couple of miles to Embassy building. Pavements in Bangkok are not good. Add to that the fact that half of it is invariably clutter with street sellers and tuktuks, it makes life a bit difficult for the average pedestrian on a mission. The walk took probably twice as long as it's should have and I arrived at the embassy sweating like a bacon pig. I didn't have to wait long. The numb I had picked up at security was called. I was given an envelope, signed a receipt and I was the proud owner of an Indian visa for 6 months rather than the standard three months with 're-entry permitted' stamped across the middle. Ding Dong.
I did the same walk back to Siam Square, this time opting for the skywalks. An elevated walkway above the street. It was much more civilised and altogether less frustrating. Rather than take the train to the National Stadium I jumped in a taxi queue at Siam. At the front of the queue I was asked my destination and the taxi guy shouts it out over a microphone. A good half dozen drivers shook their head. The traffic in Bangkok is appalling. Not as bad as it used to be 20 years ago but still appalling. Taxi drivers seem to be selective about their fares on the likelihood of getting snagged up in a traffic jam. Khaosan is one of those routes where that is likely. Especially as this was a taxi rank and the drivers are obliged to use the meter, who can blame them. The metered ride costs around £2 but can take up to 50 minutes, especially at 6:00pm on a Friday evening. Eventually one nodded to the microphone holding chappy and I was on my way. 100baht and an hour later I was at the lobby of my hostel, in the travel agents organising a ticket for the 7:35 train to Chiang Mai the following evening. Booking it through the travel agent did attract a premium as you might expect. The travel agents had to make their money somehow. That said, the service delivered the ticket to the hostel and the premium was less than a one way trip by tuktuk to the railway station.
That evening I ate at the street food stall, not brilliant but an edible fried rice and Thai green curry for just 80p. This budget has to last !
Another restless night interspersed with membership to the 'wide-awake' club. I think it was actually getting light when I felt tired enough to put my book down and get some sleep. I needed to check out at midday. I could have booked half a day in the hostel but thought better of it. Looking at accommodation in Australia, it was much more expensive and I'd need to have more than the $50 dollars per day that I had budgeted for the trip. Reducing my daily spend in the next three months was a requirement..
I had breakfast over the road from the hostel. An american breakfast and my first cup of tea in weeks!
It was a lovely day. Across the road was a little park with benches so I took the opportunity to spend a few hours reading in the sunshine in this quiet oasis bang slap in the middle of a big city. I'd been there less than 15 minutes when the park was swarmed by schoolgirls and an English teacher. I may learn something here I thought so put my book down and observed.
The English teacher was giving the girls instruction. What he wanted them to do was go and pick out a tourist and ask them questions using the video's on the mobile phone to record the 'interview' what a brilliant idea. I got picked and spent an interesting 30 minutes being asked questions. 'where was I from', 'did I like Bangkok' , 'where was I going' that sort of stuff. I tried my hardest to lose my accent and we seemed to understand each other. When they got stuck they called the teacher over. A really nice bloke. Got his work cut out with 30 schoolgirls. He had done his TEFL course two years ago and had been working in this girls academy ever since. He loved it. His MD ( most of the private schools are businesses and run as such' had mandated that every Tuesday afternoon he took the girls out and they got to use the English conversational skills in the real world. A cracking idea.
Time was getting on. I needed to be at the railway station by 6.45. Picking up my bags from the hostel I took at tuktuk to the station. The drive there made me even more relieved that I was leaving the big city for the provinces. As usual it was a race against time. For the driver rather than me. He was stressed out big style. Darting, braking, tutting, pressing his horn. We had agreed on 150 baht. It took almost an hour. I could have probably walked there faster. I'd have been sweaty but nowhere near as stressed. His anxiety and stress was actually transferring to me. We finally got there in one piece, which was a blessing in itself. At times I had visions of being despatched to somewhere more permanent than the railway station such was his static driving.
The station was packed, loads of backpackers sprawled on the floor waiting for their trains. As usual, at 6:00pm everything stopped and everyone stood for the national anthem. I think that is so quaint. I got speaking to a young Turkish lad who was on his way to Tokyo to study. He was absolutely amazed that I was travelling for so long. He was also absolutely amazed that I was doing it at my age. He suggested I was 40 ( which was nice, bless him) when I told him I was over 50 he nearly fell over. He was intrigued how I financed the trips. 'work hard and save hard' I think in 30 years time he may well be doing the same thing. He loved it.
At 7:00 the gate opened and I made my way to the platform. ....
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Tuesday 14 June 2011
Advice from a traveller....
I think I've stumbled on a gem. The staff at Erawan House are just so charming. In addition, just 800m or do from Khaosan Road, this area could not be more different. And all for £13 per night.. PLUS. Even though the Booking.com says there is only wifi access in communal areas, I can get it in my room. Ding Dong.
After my small snooze my stomach was rumbling so I decided to explore the immediate vicinity. I knew I was close to the river as I had stopped off at a tourist office and secured a tourist map. The walk around was great. Some fantastic little cafe places and all much cheaper than Silom or even Khaosan. I stopped off at this little arty place and had a late lunch/early dinner of noodles and green Thai curry, together with a large Chang. 160bht. That's just over £3.00. I have to say, it was delicious.
Across the road was the pier for the water taxi's only 15bht a trip. I'll be doing some of that in the next few days. After my delicious lunch I had a stroll in a small park overlooking the river. The fact that there was no smoking in the park and that it was policed, to prevent itinerants was a minor irritant. I took a few photo's and had a reflect on what the fuck this was all about. 366 days away and I'm on day 8. It's going to be a long journey. After a few days of the blues ( most likely to do with the lack of sleep), I was beginning to like Bangkok again. Especially this particular part of Bangkok. It's got everything, nightlife, close to the major attraction and transport (I'm sure the boats will go somewhere near the BTS sky train or Metro. It's also got a bit of Bohemia and seclusion. I'm much happier now!
Avoid Khaosan Road if you need sleep though!
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After my small snooze my stomach was rumbling so I decided to explore the immediate vicinity. I knew I was close to the river as I had stopped off at a tourist office and secured a tourist map. The walk around was great. Some fantastic little cafe places and all much cheaper than Silom or even Khaosan. I stopped off at this little arty place and had a late lunch/early dinner of noodles and green Thai curry, together with a large Chang. 160bht. That's just over £3.00. I have to say, it was delicious.
Across the road was the pier for the water taxi's only 15bht a trip. I'll be doing some of that in the next few days. After my delicious lunch I had a stroll in a small park overlooking the river. The fact that there was no smoking in the park and that it was policed, to prevent itinerants was a minor irritant. I took a few photo's and had a reflect on what the fuck this was all about. 366 days away and I'm on day 8. It's going to be a long journey. After a few days of the blues ( most likely to do with the lack of sleep), I was beginning to like Bangkok again. Especially this particular part of Bangkok. It's got everything, nightlife, close to the major attraction and transport (I'm sure the boats will go somewhere near the BTS sky train or Metro. It's also got a bit of Bohemia and seclusion. I'm much happier now!
Avoid Khaosan Road if you need sleep though!
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Location:Chana Songkhram,Bangkok,Thailand
Another night at the disco....
Despite the alcohol induced haze I slept for just a few hours and was back as a fully fledged member of the wide awake club by midnight. It must have been getting on for 4.30 am when I finally drifted off. I woke to my alarm at 9.30am, eyes feeling like pissholes in the snow. Today was check out day. I do hope that the inability to sleep is due to the noise and jet lag rather than the acquisition of insomnia. I've always been quite proud to boast that I can sleep anywhere.
By 11.30 I was ready to check out. I did get a call from reception asking if I wanted to stay another night. Much as I had began to warm it the initial frosty receptionists (they had began to thaw out - smiling and speaking to me as I saw them) I really had to move on. If for nothing else but my sanity.
I was down at reception my 11.55. Check out was midday and obviously most of those checking out had the same idea as me. Leave it till the last minute. I handed in my key, they checked my room. And I was handed back my 1000bht deposit. Bugger me if it wasn't sunny outside. Could have used the pool.
The walk to my new place of abode was a little more strenuous than yesterday, due to the fact I now had all by belongings on my back and the 35 degrees.
On arrival I paid my money. Most of these budget hotels seem to want payment in advance and a deposit. The deposit was 500bht in this case. I didn't have my passport at this point. It is still with the Indian embassy. That wasn't a problem as they accepted a copy. By this time I was sweating like a bacon pig. The receptionist was charming. Asked a young man to carry my bags to the first floor. That was good ! She also gave me a bottle of water, nice and cold. I was shown to the room. It was quite nice. Clean and actually a little larger than the one I had just left. I had 20bht ready to give the chappie but decided against it when he recovered one of the bottles of water from the room on account of the fact that I had already been given one. I'm getting a tight ass!
Jumping on the bed (which was very comfortable) I explored the TV channels. Nothing Western other than CNN. I know I'll regret it tonight but I had a snooze....
I was going to chill out today. This lack of sleep unsurprisingly is leaving me feeling more than a little lethargic. I'll use the time to do a bit more learning on the subject of English grammar. Riveting stuff!
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By 11.30 I was ready to check out. I did get a call from reception asking if I wanted to stay another night. Much as I had began to warm it the initial frosty receptionists (they had began to thaw out - smiling and speaking to me as I saw them) I really had to move on. If for nothing else but my sanity.
I was down at reception my 11.55. Check out was midday and obviously most of those checking out had the same idea as me. Leave it till the last minute. I handed in my key, they checked my room. And I was handed back my 1000bht deposit. Bugger me if it wasn't sunny outside. Could have used the pool.
The walk to my new place of abode was a little more strenuous than yesterday, due to the fact I now had all by belongings on my back and the 35 degrees.
On arrival I paid my money. Most of these budget hotels seem to want payment in advance and a deposit. The deposit was 500bht in this case. I didn't have my passport at this point. It is still with the Indian embassy. That wasn't a problem as they accepted a copy. By this time I was sweating like a bacon pig. The receptionist was charming. Asked a young man to carry my bags to the first floor. That was good ! She also gave me a bottle of water, nice and cold. I was shown to the room. It was quite nice. Clean and actually a little larger than the one I had just left. I had 20bht ready to give the chappie but decided against it when he recovered one of the bottles of water from the room on account of the fact that I had already been given one. I'm getting a tight ass!
Jumping on the bed (which was very comfortable) I explored the TV channels. Nothing Western other than CNN. I know I'll regret it tonight but I had a snooze....
I was going to chill out today. This lack of sleep unsurprisingly is leaving me feeling more than a little lethargic. I'll use the time to do a bit more learning on the subject of English grammar. Riveting stuff!
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Location:Chana Songkhram,Bangkok,Thailand
Monday 13 June 2011
Kill or Cure.......
Sleep depravation having got the better of me, I decided to take some decisive action. In fact, two lots of decisive action. The noise during the night was just at an unacceptable level. Ten years ago I could well have been contributing to it. These days it was interfering with my sleep. I would look for somewhere a little off the beaten track.
My initial plan was to spend as little time as possible in the city, that had, to a large extent, been dashed by the bureaucratic inefficiencies of the Indian embassy. If I was going to stay here, I was at least going to get some rest.
Another consideration of course was budget. This hotel, budget as it was, was costing £20 a night. My overall trip budget allowed £34 per night. If I could reduce the overnight element, I stood a much better chance of getting back in the black. At present, after only 7 days I was hopelessly in the red. Granted, I had incurred some stiff travel costs, namely the flights to India, nevertheless, the current financial situation made me cognoscente of every penny spent.
Kill two birds with one stone.... Great idea. Using my old favourite. Booking.com I traced down a budget hotel at just £13 per night. (I'm still not ready for the dorms until my sleep pattens are sorted out). It was on the other side of the road from Khaosan, Rambuttri Road. Surfing the net, I had spotted an even better place but, before my very eyes, the single room at the Rambuttri Resort, at only £12.00 per night was snapped up. Consequently I had to settle for Erawan House. Same location but an extortionate £1.00 per night more expensive at £13.12 per night. It's swings and roundabouts. The first had a pool, pretty surplus at the moment as it was not sunbathing weather. The second had Internet, albeit only in the lobby, still a requirement.
Erawan it was. At £13 per night it would help pull back my deficit. My little dalliance with 'apple numbers' on the iPad had proved useful. I could now record all spend and got a view of where I was and where I should be. It is a sobering thought with a limited budget. While in this thrifty frame of mind I also got my accommodation in Chiang Mai sorted. A quite nice long term rent at a mere 6000 Thai Baht. The equivalent of £7.00 per night. Even with the cost of food from next months budget I would be in black.
After my budget saving endeavours I thought I would try and avoid my previous days errors of falling asleep in the early evening, thus compounding my ability to sleep at night by having a wander out and tracking my new accommodation down. My initial thought was I would need to take a TukTuk from my current location. Upon investigation it was only a 10 minute walk away. I was there in no time and it looked quite OK, which supported the comments and rating on Booking.Com. I did notice however that there were a plethora of other establishments that weren't mentioned on the site. I'll remember that for the future.
Rambuttri Road is a great location. Only moments away from the action in Khaosan Road, it is both much more sedate and less busy. After tracking down my next resting place ( I would be checking in tomorrow), I thought I would get a bite to eat and a beet. It was going on 7.00pm and getting dark. I found a nice little spot and ordered dinner and a large beer. It occurred to me that, rather than fight the insomnia caused by the jet lag and cacophony of noise coming from the disco next door, I could take some positive action. Getting pissed seemed like a good option. I ordered a delicious stir fried chicken with noodles and ended up drinking three large (660ml) beers. Not having had much to eat or drink in the last few days, it went straight to my head. The ambience (not sure if it was for real or alcohol induced) of this road was much more to my taste. Smiley people and much less crowded. We shall see. I had booked in for three days by which time I hope and pray that I am reunited with my passport and the Indian visa.
By 8.00 I was pretty sloshed and made my way back to Khaosan Road. By 9.00pm I was in bed. By 9.30 I had noodles coming down my nose. Not attractive I know. Whether it cures the insomnia remains to be seen. I will let you know.....
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My initial plan was to spend as little time as possible in the city, that had, to a large extent, been dashed by the bureaucratic inefficiencies of the Indian embassy. If I was going to stay here, I was at least going to get some rest.
Another consideration of course was budget. This hotel, budget as it was, was costing £20 a night. My overall trip budget allowed £34 per night. If I could reduce the overnight element, I stood a much better chance of getting back in the black. At present, after only 7 days I was hopelessly in the red. Granted, I had incurred some stiff travel costs, namely the flights to India, nevertheless, the current financial situation made me cognoscente of every penny spent.
Kill two birds with one stone.... Great idea. Using my old favourite. Booking.com I traced down a budget hotel at just £13 per night. (I'm still not ready for the dorms until my sleep pattens are sorted out). It was on the other side of the road from Khaosan, Rambuttri Road. Surfing the net, I had spotted an even better place but, before my very eyes, the single room at the Rambuttri Resort, at only £12.00 per night was snapped up. Consequently I had to settle for Erawan House. Same location but an extortionate £1.00 per night more expensive at £13.12 per night. It's swings and roundabouts. The first had a pool, pretty surplus at the moment as it was not sunbathing weather. The second had Internet, albeit only in the lobby, still a requirement.
Erawan it was. At £13 per night it would help pull back my deficit. My little dalliance with 'apple numbers' on the iPad had proved useful. I could now record all spend and got a view of where I was and where I should be. It is a sobering thought with a limited budget. While in this thrifty frame of mind I also got my accommodation in Chiang Mai sorted. A quite nice long term rent at a mere 6000 Thai Baht. The equivalent of £7.00 per night. Even with the cost of food from next months budget I would be in black.
After my budget saving endeavours I thought I would try and avoid my previous days errors of falling asleep in the early evening, thus compounding my ability to sleep at night by having a wander out and tracking my new accommodation down. My initial thought was I would need to take a TukTuk from my current location. Upon investigation it was only a 10 minute walk away. I was there in no time and it looked quite OK, which supported the comments and rating on Booking.Com. I did notice however that there were a plethora of other establishments that weren't mentioned on the site. I'll remember that for the future.
Rambuttri Road is a great location. Only moments away from the action in Khaosan Road, it is both much more sedate and less busy. After tracking down my next resting place ( I would be checking in tomorrow), I thought I would get a bite to eat and a beet. It was going on 7.00pm and getting dark. I found a nice little spot and ordered dinner and a large beer. It occurred to me that, rather than fight the insomnia caused by the jet lag and cacophony of noise coming from the disco next door, I could take some positive action. Getting pissed seemed like a good option. I ordered a delicious stir fried chicken with noodles and ended up drinking three large (660ml) beers. Not having had much to eat or drink in the last few days, it went straight to my head. The ambience (not sure if it was for real or alcohol induced) of this road was much more to my taste. Smiley people and much less crowded. We shall see. I had booked in for three days by which time I hope and pray that I am reunited with my passport and the Indian visa.
By 8.00 I was pretty sloshed and made my way back to Khaosan Road. By 9.00pm I was in bed. By 9.30 I had noodles coming down my nose. Not attractive I know. Whether it cures the insomnia remains to be seen. I will let you know.....
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Thanon Khao San,Bangkok,Thailand
Oh what a day!
If I thought that applying for a Myanmar visa was difficult I was about to be surprised. I was requesting a 6 month multiple entry visa for India. The rationale behind this was quite simple. I intended to fly to New Delhi from Bangkok after my teaching course. I had chosen to do this as it is notoriously expensive to fly direct to Kathmandu from anywhere and Air Asia offered a reasonably priced ticket to India. I would spend a few days in Delhi before flying on to Nepal. This would save me about £200 and budgets are tight, I'm unemployed you know.
As I was intending to spend around two and a half months in Nepal before making my way back to Delhi overland a six month multiple entry visa was the only option. That's where the problems start. VFS the company who have been given the outsourced job of processing visas on behalf if the embassy only have authority to issue 3 month single entry visas, hence, I had to go for an interview with the 'consular officer' at 9.00am on Monday.
Despite yet another sleepless night I was up early and took a taxi to the National Stadium where I caught the Sky Train to Ashok station. It is then just a 10 minute walk to the Indian Embassy. On arrival I signed in and was ushered through security . My phone and camera where taken away and I was issued with a receipt. Through a courtyard was the office. I handed over the appointment paperwork issued by VFS and was told to take a seat. Within 10 minutes I was called and directed to office 104. It was like going back in time. On the door was a sign 'Deputy Consul to India' wow! One of the big cheeses! The office was just like a scene from passage to India. Old mahogany desk, panelled Walls and a miserable man sitting in a large leather chair peering over his glasses. On the desk was a lectern type affair with my passport and paperwork on.
'Good Morning'
I received no acknowledgement whatsoever.
'When did you arrive in Thailand'
He barked
'9th June'
I replied.
'Where are you staying'
I told him, he wrote something down.
'We only issue 3 month visas' he stated.
Maybe he had graduated from the 'University of Stating the Bleedin' obvious'. I realised that. Is it not the reason I was here in the first place. I didn't respond. I was beginning to feel like a naughty schoolboy who had been called before the headmaster.
'When did you decide you wanted to go to India'
I told him I had planned the trip some time.
'Then why did you not get your visa while you were in the UK.'
I explained that I had returned from 9 months travelling and had only been in the UK a month. I had to get a new passport and a visa for Thailand and didn't have the time.
'You will stay in Delhi, go to Nepal then go back to India'
'Yes' I said.
'This is going to prove very problematic for you' he stated.
Not inviting a response.
' I will grant you a six month tourist visa - subject to checks'
'Thank You'
There was silence.
'So what happens next.'
'You don't get your Visa today'. He snapped.
No shit Sherlock, I thought.
' I realise that, I was wondering when it would be ready'
He shrugged his shoulders.
'Five day's, it needs to go through the process'
'How will I know when its been through the process. Do I collect it from VFS or here'
'VFS of course'
'And how will I know when it is ready' I enquired.
'You track it on the Website'. He did not say it, but he meant to conclude the sentence with 'stupid!'
I had started to take a grave dislike to this bureaucratic asshole. It was a typical example of position power. The type you find worldwide from many people in decision making position. Maybe it was the Monday Morning blues, I suspect he was always like it.
He passed my paperwork across his lectern, indicating my interrogation was over.
'Thank you so much ' I said leaving the office. ' Have a nice day' I said, 'You little shit'. I thought!
I smiled to myself as I collected my phone and camera from security. I hope the rest of my Visa securing experiences are more pleasurable.
My immediate thoughts were, 'it looks as though I will need to stay in Bangkok a few more days than expected. Bugger'
Stopping off at the 'Queen Victoria' cafe for a coffee I reflected. This wouldn't have happened in her day.
I am one step closer to getting the visa but also one step closer to insanity due to sleep depravation caused by a mixture of jet lag and that infernal disco next to the hotel in Khaosan Road. I need to consider changing my accommodation!
You can indeed track your passport..... Whooopy Dooo. I feel so much better.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
As I was intending to spend around two and a half months in Nepal before making my way back to Delhi overland a six month multiple entry visa was the only option. That's where the problems start. VFS the company who have been given the outsourced job of processing visas on behalf if the embassy only have authority to issue 3 month single entry visas, hence, I had to go for an interview with the 'consular officer' at 9.00am on Monday.
Despite yet another sleepless night I was up early and took a taxi to the National Stadium where I caught the Sky Train to Ashok station. It is then just a 10 minute walk to the Indian Embassy. On arrival I signed in and was ushered through security . My phone and camera where taken away and I was issued with a receipt. Through a courtyard was the office. I handed over the appointment paperwork issued by VFS and was told to take a seat. Within 10 minutes I was called and directed to office 104. It was like going back in time. On the door was a sign 'Deputy Consul to India' wow! One of the big cheeses! The office was just like a scene from passage to India. Old mahogany desk, panelled Walls and a miserable man sitting in a large leather chair peering over his glasses. On the desk was a lectern type affair with my passport and paperwork on.
'Good Morning'
I received no acknowledgement whatsoever.
'When did you arrive in Thailand'
He barked
'9th June'
I replied.
'Where are you staying'
I told him, he wrote something down.
'We only issue 3 month visas' he stated.
Maybe he had graduated from the 'University of Stating the Bleedin' obvious'. I realised that. Is it not the reason I was here in the first place. I didn't respond. I was beginning to feel like a naughty schoolboy who had been called before the headmaster.
'When did you decide you wanted to go to India'
I told him I had planned the trip some time.
'Then why did you not get your visa while you were in the UK.'
I explained that I had returned from 9 months travelling and had only been in the UK a month. I had to get a new passport and a visa for Thailand and didn't have the time.
'You will stay in Delhi, go to Nepal then go back to India'
'Yes' I said.
'This is going to prove very problematic for you' he stated.
Not inviting a response.
' I will grant you a six month tourist visa - subject to checks'
'Thank You'
There was silence.
'So what happens next.'
'You don't get your Visa today'. He snapped.
No shit Sherlock, I thought.
' I realise that, I was wondering when it would be ready'
He shrugged his shoulders.
'Five day's, it needs to go through the process'
'How will I know when its been through the process. Do I collect it from VFS or here'
'VFS of course'
'And how will I know when it is ready' I enquired.
'You track it on the Website'. He did not say it, but he meant to conclude the sentence with 'stupid!'
I had started to take a grave dislike to this bureaucratic asshole. It was a typical example of position power. The type you find worldwide from many people in decision making position. Maybe it was the Monday Morning blues, I suspect he was always like it.
He passed my paperwork across his lectern, indicating my interrogation was over.
'Thank you so much ' I said leaving the office. ' Have a nice day' I said, 'You little shit'. I thought!
I smiled to myself as I collected my phone and camera from security. I hope the rest of my Visa securing experiences are more pleasurable.
My immediate thoughts were, 'it looks as though I will need to stay in Bangkok a few more days than expected. Bugger'
Stopping off at the 'Queen Victoria' cafe for a coffee I reflected. This wouldn't have happened in her day.
I am one step closer to getting the visa but also one step closer to insanity due to sleep depravation caused by a mixture of jet lag and that infernal disco next to the hotel in Khaosan Road. I need to consider changing my accommodation!
You can indeed track your passport..... Whooopy Dooo. I feel so much better.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Thanon Khao San,Bangkok,Thailand
Saturday 11 June 2011
Oh what a night
Another sleepless night. As much to do with cacophony of music coming from the disco next door as it was to do with the jet lag.
I didn't waste the time though. I've put together a 'budget tracker' to keep my spending on course. It was a bit scary to find out that I was well overspent for the four days so far. That said, a big expense are the flights to and from India and the Indian visa, accounting for some £210. I can't I imagine that I'll be spending wildly in Chaing Mai or Nepal so hopefully it will soon be back on plan. It's rather like being in sales again and measuring performance against target.
It must have been nearly five o'clock in the morning when I finally drifted off to sleep. No wonder that I didn't actually open my eyes till midday.
After a bit of Internet work looking at potential volunteer work in Nepal and potential accommodation in India, I showered and headed out. On the way back from the Indian embassy yesterday I had noticed an interesting monument in remembrance of the October 14th Massacre where Thai students stood up against the army in a effort to secure constitutional reform. Sounds familiar!
The remembrance garden is just across the road from Khaosan and the story of the 10 days that led up to the massacre made interesting reading.
Chicken fried rice for lunch and than another wander. I'm actually looking forward to leaving Bangkok. It's really sprawling and I've visited most of the major sights on previous trips. I don't have a penchant for big cities....
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I didn't waste the time though. I've put together a 'budget tracker' to keep my spending on course. It was a bit scary to find out that I was well overspent for the four days so far. That said, a big expense are the flights to and from India and the Indian visa, accounting for some £210. I can't I imagine that I'll be spending wildly in Chaing Mai or Nepal so hopefully it will soon be back on plan. It's rather like being in sales again and measuring performance against target.
It must have been nearly five o'clock in the morning when I finally drifted off to sleep. No wonder that I didn't actually open my eyes till midday.
After a bit of Internet work looking at potential volunteer work in Nepal and potential accommodation in India, I showered and headed out. On the way back from the Indian embassy yesterday I had noticed an interesting monument in remembrance of the October 14th Massacre where Thai students stood up against the army in a effort to secure constitutional reform. Sounds familiar!
The remembrance garden is just across the road from Khaosan and the story of the 10 days that led up to the massacre made interesting reading.
Chicken fried rice for lunch and than another wander. I'm actually looking forward to leaving Bangkok. It's really sprawling and I've visited most of the major sights on previous trips. I don't have a penchant for big cities....
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Thanon Khao San,Bangkok,Thailand
Friday 10 June 2011
Will I ever learn?
Having a sleep in the afternoon is never a wise idea, especially after a long haul flight! So,there I was, 1.00am with eyes like a bushbaby. It doesn't help to be living in Khao San Road. The windows were fair rattling with the music outside.
Rather than count sheep, I put the time to good use. Filling in the on line visa application for India. I remember in the olden days, you tipped up at a foreign embassy, filled out a form, gave them two passport photo's, your passport and some money. A couple of hours later you collected your passport with a sticky visa inside. Even more recently the VOA (visa on arrival) process actually did it at your destination airport. In the main, it's not like that now. Especially if you are oversea's already. India is a case in point. They have outsourced their visa process to an external company. Makes sense I suppose. The immigration department outsourcing their core business. (Doh!).
What happens now is infinitely slicker. You don't go to the Indian embassy for a visa. You fill in an online form (on a crap website that constantly kicks you out). You then print off the form, take it to the outsourced company (which is next door to the Indian Embassy in Bangkok). They take your money, take the paperwork to the Indian embassy to be processed. The Indian embassy issue the visa, takes the paperwork back to the outsourced company which is next door to the Indian Embassy, who then give you back your passport with the sticky visa in it. The whole process takes five days.....
I have since found out that the UK adopts the same process. Only it takes seven days.....
Anyway, that's how it should go. Having filled out my on line form - three times - I finally got to the end and was issued with a reference number. I was requesting a six month, multiple entry visa as I would be flying from Bangkok to Delhi, having a few days in Delhi, before flying on to Kathmandu. After a couple of months in Nepal I would be heading back, overland through India to New Delhi. The whole trip would take about four and a half months. Hence a 6 month visa.
Surprisingly, after all that I was still in the 'wide awake club' so started looking at flights etc..
I had decided that Friday would be 'sort the visa out day' . After breakfast I called at an Internet cafe and printed off the required paperwork. I already had the two photographs, so, having put everything together, headed off to the outsourced office next to the Indian embassy. My intention was to take a taxi to the nearest BTS sky train station and then hop on the sky train for Sukhumit Road. The taxi driver quoted 200 baht. Halfway through the journey he asked why I was going to Siam Square and offered to take me the whole way for 400 Baht. I agreed 350 Baht, time was getting on.
Once there it was surprisingly empty, a good sign I thought. I was issued with a ticket and within 5 minutes was at the counter. The lady from the outsourced company, while very pleasant tried to to tell me to apply nearer my intended travel date so I could get a 3 month visa. I tried to explain to her that I didn't intend coming back to Bangkok and anyway I would be entering India on the 4th August and leaving on the 4th December so a 3 month visa would be useless. After much discussion she got my point. But it was tricky, despite the fact that 12 month Visa's are given away in cornflake packets back home, Thailand is different. A 6 month visa requires confirmation of flights in and out of the country, a letter of request to the embassy and an interview with a member of the Indian consular staff. I was given a piece of paper to give the rationale for the request. I also needed to book the flights so rather hurriedly found an Internet cafe and booked the flights with the old favourite, Air Asia. I got back to the embassy 20 minutes before closing and was given an 9.00am appointment for Monday to see a consular official and hopefully get the visa granted. We shall see....
Rather than a taxi, I took the sky train back to Siam Square and a taxi to Khao San Road. My hotel has a swimming pool on the roof. I thought I may relax for a couple of hours and take in the sun. I thought wrong, the heavens opened so I went for a beer or two.
Over an ice cold tiger I reflected how I'd missed the Koreans taking photo 's of everything and everyone. How I'd missed the ladies in the silly hats selling wooden frogs and wrist bands and how I'd missed the touts trying to rip me off. I'm still puzzled how a devout Buddhist, who has to be good to improve his Karma to be reincarnated and come back as something nice finds it so easy to do everything possible to rob you blind! Is it coincidence that Bangkok has so many rats?
At least it's the weekend.......
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Rather than count sheep, I put the time to good use. Filling in the on line visa application for India. I remember in the olden days, you tipped up at a foreign embassy, filled out a form, gave them two passport photo's, your passport and some money. A couple of hours later you collected your passport with a sticky visa inside. Even more recently the VOA (visa on arrival) process actually did it at your destination airport. In the main, it's not like that now. Especially if you are oversea's already. India is a case in point. They have outsourced their visa process to an external company. Makes sense I suppose. The immigration department outsourcing their core business. (Doh!).
What happens now is infinitely slicker. You don't go to the Indian embassy for a visa. You fill in an online form (on a crap website that constantly kicks you out). You then print off the form, take it to the outsourced company (which is next door to the Indian Embassy in Bangkok). They take your money, take the paperwork to the Indian embassy to be processed. The Indian embassy issue the visa, takes the paperwork back to the outsourced company which is next door to the Indian Embassy, who then give you back your passport with the sticky visa in it. The whole process takes five days.....
I have since found out that the UK adopts the same process. Only it takes seven days.....
Anyway, that's how it should go. Having filled out my on line form - three times - I finally got to the end and was issued with a reference number. I was requesting a six month, multiple entry visa as I would be flying from Bangkok to Delhi, having a few days in Delhi, before flying on to Kathmandu. After a couple of months in Nepal I would be heading back, overland through India to New Delhi. The whole trip would take about four and a half months. Hence a 6 month visa.
Surprisingly, after all that I was still in the 'wide awake club' so started looking at flights etc..
I had decided that Friday would be 'sort the visa out day' . After breakfast I called at an Internet cafe and printed off the required paperwork. I already had the two photographs, so, having put everything together, headed off to the outsourced office next to the Indian embassy. My intention was to take a taxi to the nearest BTS sky train station and then hop on the sky train for Sukhumit Road. The taxi driver quoted 200 baht. Halfway through the journey he asked why I was going to Siam Square and offered to take me the whole way for 400 Baht. I agreed 350 Baht, time was getting on.
Once there it was surprisingly empty, a good sign I thought. I was issued with a ticket and within 5 minutes was at the counter. The lady from the outsourced company, while very pleasant tried to to tell me to apply nearer my intended travel date so I could get a 3 month visa. I tried to explain to her that I didn't intend coming back to Bangkok and anyway I would be entering India on the 4th August and leaving on the 4th December so a 3 month visa would be useless. After much discussion she got my point. But it was tricky, despite the fact that 12 month Visa's are given away in cornflake packets back home, Thailand is different. A 6 month visa requires confirmation of flights in and out of the country, a letter of request to the embassy and an interview with a member of the Indian consular staff. I was given a piece of paper to give the rationale for the request. I also needed to book the flights so rather hurriedly found an Internet cafe and booked the flights with the old favourite, Air Asia. I got back to the embassy 20 minutes before closing and was given an 9.00am appointment for Monday to see a consular official and hopefully get the visa granted. We shall see....
Rather than a taxi, I took the sky train back to Siam Square and a taxi to Khao San Road. My hotel has a swimming pool on the roof. I thought I may relax for a couple of hours and take in the sun. I thought wrong, the heavens opened so I went for a beer or two.
Over an ice cold tiger I reflected how I'd missed the Koreans taking photo 's of everything and everyone. How I'd missed the ladies in the silly hats selling wooden frogs and wrist bands and how I'd missed the touts trying to rip me off. I'm still puzzled how a devout Buddhist, who has to be good to improve his Karma to be reincarnated and come back as something nice finds it so easy to do everything possible to rob you blind! Is it coincidence that Bangkok has so many rats?
At least it's the weekend.......
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Thanon Khao San,Bangkok,Thailand
Thursday 9 June 2011
You can choose your friends, but you can't choose who you sit next to on long haul flights.......
I had a great night with Kelly. She just makes me laugh. After an Indian and a few glasses of wine I was off to my bed. I didn't sleep that well until of course it was time to get up...
A bacon buttie (my last for a while I suspect), a cup of tea and I was off to the airport in Manchester to catch the 14.10 to Dubai.
I'm sure it's part of the selection process that all security people at airports have to be so surly and rude. It happens the world over. They are probably night club bouncers in the evening or wannabe police officers. Many people are anxious with the prospect of flying. I'm sure it does not help having some jumped up knob barking orders at them. People in uniform egh!
The uniform thing seems to have extended to Costa Coffee too....
As most of us know, usually drinks are made freshly on order at most of these chains. I wouldn't ask for a coffee and expect to be given a Nescafe can and pointed in the direction of a microwave. Likewise, I wouldn't ask for a blackcurrent smoothie and expected to be pointed to a fridge with a row of 'Innocent' smoothie bottles. And then, when questioning if the Mango Frappe was home made, be told, no, it's in the fridge and it's all the same with a look that could have curdled milk. No, it's not the same. A) It is not as fresh and B) it costs £1.25 more than it does in Boots next door. Fuckwit! Maybe I'm getting old and things that shouldn't piss me off do. Anyway, I declined and took my patronage to Boots.
Friends Wayne and Vicky were flying out to Cyprus that afternoon and there was a chance I would see them at the airport. Wasn't to be. They arrived just as I went through the gate to board then plane. We sat, and sat, and sat. An announcement came over the tannoy apologising for the delay and stating it was down to the late arrival of the incoming aircraft. Bollocks! It arrived spot on time. Maybe I am becoming a grumpy old man !
In the end we took off about 60 minutes late. Once again I was on the super duper mini cooper fuck off double decker Airbus A380, affectionately also known as the 'Scarebus' by my flight attendant friends at KLM. I didn't ask why?
I had pre-booked my seats right the way through to Bangkok. 53a. I have sat next to some odd people in my time, but this couple took the biscuit. They were foreign, Eastern European I think. Now if I thought I was grumpy! This woman never stopped for the full 8 hours. Save the hello, I didn't say a great deal, which is good for me sitting next to her for nearly 8 hours. First it was the fact that there was no room in the luggage rack (there was plenty of room in the adjoining and opposite bins. The food wasn't nice, the headphones weren't B and O quality. The best was that the air con was too cold. To make a point she took three blankets and a HUGE puffer jacket and tied herself in her seat. Incidentally, spilling over into mine. She looked like a fuckin Eskimo. In addition to my dysfunctional seat mate, there were an Indian couple in front with a child who must have spent 4 of the 8 hours screaming at top volume. I turned my headephones up full blast and watched three films back to back. Have these people not heard of Calpol?
Apart from this the flight was fine and I arrived in Dubai fraught and tired!
After a three hour transit I boarded yet another 'Scarebus A380' for the 6 hour flight to Bangkok. Again, 53A was my seat only this time there was an Asian lady sat in it. She told me that she was sitting there as she was travelling with friends and they had been separated. I politely told her 'No!' I was sitting there. If they had wanted seats together they should have logged into the Emirates web site and done what I had done, which was pre-book the seats. That did wonders for the journey. We didn't need aircon on the plane this time as the temperature was icy enough.
Breakfast was had and then I slept. Indeed, so well I had to be woken up by the flight attendant. They have such a way! Pinch you on the arm while at the same time pushing your 'reclining' button so you involuntarily take the 'brace' position....
No trouble at immigration, I got the 60 days I was looking for so on to catch the bus... No bus...... I had travelled through BKK airport number of times on my last trip and rather than paying the extortionate taxi fares had taken the airport bus. It was only £3 opposed to the £8 taxi fare. This time the stand was unmanned. Taxi it was then. Over budget on the first day. I'll have to go without supper and a beer.
This visit, rather than stay in the Silom area, I had decided to go for the 'backpacker' area of Khao San Road. The taxi fare was reasonable. About £8. Maybe chicken fried rice and water for dinner then....
Does the kings wife look just like a typical 'Auntie Betty'. There were posts plaster everywhere, maybe it's her birthday and there is a national holiday, hence no bus!
Dropped at the end of Khao San I walked the 400m to the hotel and checked in. I had decided to go for a single rather than a dorm in the early days as it would be better for my jet lag...
The two receptionists at the hotel had obviously been on the same course as the security in Manchester airport. No smiles there then.
The room was fine, small but clean. I was shagged so thought I'd take a small nap. It was three o'clock. Not the wisest move. I would probably be wide awake at 10.00 and I was. At least there is free Wi Fi in the hotel.
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
A bacon buttie (my last for a while I suspect), a cup of tea and I was off to the airport in Manchester to catch the 14.10 to Dubai.
I'm sure it's part of the selection process that all security people at airports have to be so surly and rude. It happens the world over. They are probably night club bouncers in the evening or wannabe police officers. Many people are anxious with the prospect of flying. I'm sure it does not help having some jumped up knob barking orders at them. People in uniform egh!
The uniform thing seems to have extended to Costa Coffee too....
As most of us know, usually drinks are made freshly on order at most of these chains. I wouldn't ask for a coffee and expect to be given a Nescafe can and pointed in the direction of a microwave. Likewise, I wouldn't ask for a blackcurrent smoothie and expected to be pointed to a fridge with a row of 'Innocent' smoothie bottles. And then, when questioning if the Mango Frappe was home made, be told, no, it's in the fridge and it's all the same with a look that could have curdled milk. No, it's not the same. A) It is not as fresh and B) it costs £1.25 more than it does in Boots next door. Fuckwit! Maybe I'm getting old and things that shouldn't piss me off do. Anyway, I declined and took my patronage to Boots.
Friends Wayne and Vicky were flying out to Cyprus that afternoon and there was a chance I would see them at the airport. Wasn't to be. They arrived just as I went through the gate to board then plane. We sat, and sat, and sat. An announcement came over the tannoy apologising for the delay and stating it was down to the late arrival of the incoming aircraft. Bollocks! It arrived spot on time. Maybe I am becoming a grumpy old man !
In the end we took off about 60 minutes late. Once again I was on the super duper mini cooper fuck off double decker Airbus A380, affectionately also known as the 'Scarebus' by my flight attendant friends at KLM. I didn't ask why?
I had pre-booked my seats right the way through to Bangkok. 53a. I have sat next to some odd people in my time, but this couple took the biscuit. They were foreign, Eastern European I think. Now if I thought I was grumpy! This woman never stopped for the full 8 hours. Save the hello, I didn't say a great deal, which is good for me sitting next to her for nearly 8 hours. First it was the fact that there was no room in the luggage rack (there was plenty of room in the adjoining and opposite bins. The food wasn't nice, the headphones weren't B and O quality. The best was that the air con was too cold. To make a point she took three blankets and a HUGE puffer jacket and tied herself in her seat. Incidentally, spilling over into mine. She looked like a fuckin Eskimo. In addition to my dysfunctional seat mate, there were an Indian couple in front with a child who must have spent 4 of the 8 hours screaming at top volume. I turned my headephones up full blast and watched three films back to back. Have these people not heard of Calpol?
Apart from this the flight was fine and I arrived in Dubai fraught and tired!
After a three hour transit I boarded yet another 'Scarebus A380' for the 6 hour flight to Bangkok. Again, 53A was my seat only this time there was an Asian lady sat in it. She told me that she was sitting there as she was travelling with friends and they had been separated. I politely told her 'No!' I was sitting there. If they had wanted seats together they should have logged into the Emirates web site and done what I had done, which was pre-book the seats. That did wonders for the journey. We didn't need aircon on the plane this time as the temperature was icy enough.
Breakfast was had and then I slept. Indeed, so well I had to be woken up by the flight attendant. They have such a way! Pinch you on the arm while at the same time pushing your 'reclining' button so you involuntarily take the 'brace' position....
No trouble at immigration, I got the 60 days I was looking for so on to catch the bus... No bus...... I had travelled through BKK airport number of times on my last trip and rather than paying the extortionate taxi fares had taken the airport bus. It was only £3 opposed to the £8 taxi fare. This time the stand was unmanned. Taxi it was then. Over budget on the first day. I'll have to go without supper and a beer.
This visit, rather than stay in the Silom area, I had decided to go for the 'backpacker' area of Khao San Road. The taxi fare was reasonable. About £8. Maybe chicken fried rice and water for dinner then....
Does the kings wife look just like a typical 'Auntie Betty'. There were posts plaster everywhere, maybe it's her birthday and there is a national holiday, hence no bus!
Dropped at the end of Khao San I walked the 400m to the hotel and checked in. I had decided to go for a single rather than a dorm in the early days as it would be better for my jet lag...
The two receptionists at the hotel had obviously been on the same course as the security in Manchester airport. No smiles there then.
The room was fine, small but clean. I was shagged so thought I'd take a small nap. It was three o'clock. Not the wisest move. I would probably be wide awake at 10.00 and I was. At least there is free Wi Fi in the hotel.
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Location:Thanon Khao San,Bangkok,Thailand
Tuesday 7 June 2011
Here we go again!!!
So, after just 5 weeks I'm back on the road. The plan is very fluid, indeed, I'm not even sure when I'll return.
My flight is not till tomorrow. I'm heading over to Manchester this evening to spend my last evening with my good friend Kelly. It will doubtless end with a hangover. It always does.
I'll try and be a bit more organised with the blog this time. I am conscious I have a couple of entries to complete. I'll get it sorted.
It doesn't seem like five weeks, not that I can recall much of it. Most of the time was spent either hosting or being hosted and most of that involved copious amounts of alcohol.
The weeks home have not been without drama. Most involving Severn Trent Water Authority. It appears I had a leaky pipe. I found it, had it repaired and gratefully took receipt of a water bill. Not a normal water bill. Oh no! A water bill for £6,749.37p.
Some fuckin leak!
It would have probably still been pissing out if, on looking under the sink for some cleaning materials I hadn't noticed the water meter spinning round like a top. It was actually hard not to notice it. There was smoke coming out.
To cut a long story short, I challenged the bill and got it reduced to £3,600. You may well think that it really generous, until you realise that the reduction was to take account that the water, rather than going into the sewer, had gone into the ground. I would argue that this was an adjustment to take off a service I had not utilised. I would also argue that the water board would eventually get the water back, in essence I had just 'borrowed' it.
This rather obnoxious man at Severn Trent was having none of it, insisting on immediate payment of £3,600. Of course, being currently unemployed I don't have that kind of money. Consequently I was put through to credit control who would set up a payment plan. The first offer was £900 per month. I politely told the lady, if I could afford to pay £900 a month I could probably afford to pay the £3,600 now. She graciously capitulated and we agreed on £50 per month.
I'm still pissed about it. Hey Ho. You win some, you lose some!
So the house is locked. I'm on the TransPennine express to Manchester.
I may be some time. Thanks to all my friends who made the last five weeks such fun. Some went to a lot of trouble to catch up.
I'll see you all when I get back. Whenever that may be.
I have turned off the water. Just in case.
I was quite tempted to tell the water board to turn it off at the mains and when I return I'd collect a bucket each morning from the lake. I didn't, there seemed no point.....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
My flight is not till tomorrow. I'm heading over to Manchester this evening to spend my last evening with my good friend Kelly. It will doubtless end with a hangover. It always does.
I'll try and be a bit more organised with the blog this time. I am conscious I have a couple of entries to complete. I'll get it sorted.
It doesn't seem like five weeks, not that I can recall much of it. Most of the time was spent either hosting or being hosted and most of that involved copious amounts of alcohol.
The weeks home have not been without drama. Most involving Severn Trent Water Authority. It appears I had a leaky pipe. I found it, had it repaired and gratefully took receipt of a water bill. Not a normal water bill. Oh no! A water bill for £6,749.37p.
Some fuckin leak!
It would have probably still been pissing out if, on looking under the sink for some cleaning materials I hadn't noticed the water meter spinning round like a top. It was actually hard not to notice it. There was smoke coming out.
To cut a long story short, I challenged the bill and got it reduced to £3,600. You may well think that it really generous, until you realise that the reduction was to take account that the water, rather than going into the sewer, had gone into the ground. I would argue that this was an adjustment to take off a service I had not utilised. I would also argue that the water board would eventually get the water back, in essence I had just 'borrowed' it.
This rather obnoxious man at Severn Trent was having none of it, insisting on immediate payment of £3,600. Of course, being currently unemployed I don't have that kind of money. Consequently I was put through to credit control who would set up a payment plan. The first offer was £900 per month. I politely told the lady, if I could afford to pay £900 a month I could probably afford to pay the £3,600 now. She graciously capitulated and we agreed on £50 per month.
I'm still pissed about it. Hey Ho. You win some, you lose some!
So the house is locked. I'm on the TransPennine express to Manchester.
I may be some time. Thanks to all my friends who made the last five weeks such fun. Some went to a lot of trouble to catch up.
I'll see you all when I get back. Whenever that may be.
I have turned off the water. Just in case.
I was quite tempted to tell the water board to turn it off at the mains and when I return I'd collect a bucket each morning from the lake. I didn't, there seemed no point.....
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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