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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Location:Thanon Khao San,Bangkok,Thailand
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