FINALLY a rest day!
Finally I can slump down on my chair and write a proper blog (that last one was crap wasn’t it? Be honest). We’ve been so damn busy the first 4 days we’ve been here that we’ve literally been red-lining our tachometers and had little time for updating the gang back home.
Frick… where to start?!
Well….. Me and Meg made a commitment that we would try to stay in shape this trip. Why? – Personally, I suppose I’m sick of my body looking as skinny as an Etheopian who has been run over by steam roller when I get back from my yearly trips. With this in mind, we set out for Bangkoks famous Lumphini Park (picture below) to get our daily dose of exercise.
What a park it was! Blew my expectations right out of the water. Thai people, young and old, dashed around the running track in the latest Thai fashions. Children zipped around on their scooters screaming. Old men played board games under the shade of an umbrella. Massive 3 foot long lizards (more like Commodo Dragons) darted in and out of the water looking for their next meal. I’m sure these suckers could take down a little kid if they wanted to.
Below: A young boy rides his scooter past a prowling lizard in Lumphini Park.
Along the running track, Me and Megan stumbled upon a Flintstone-esque outdoor gym. Where the weights had more rust than paint on them, and shirtless Thai musclemen flexed in the broken, full-length mirrors. We approached the owner and paid him 30 baht ($1) to use the “facility”. Surprisingly, we had a hell of a workout.
Megans overhead press
After the workout, we explored the bees nest that is Chinatown and settled down in the evening for some outstanding Thai Food at what is now our new favourite restaurant “Jok”. For an idea of how cheap it is to eat at a hole in the wall type restaurant like “Jok”, here is our bill.
2 Crabs (steamed then grilled) = 250 baht
1 Chicken Red Curry dish = 70 baht
1 Vegetable/Fried Rice dish = 40 baht
2 large 640ml bottles of Chang beer = 180 baht
So our grand total for this feast was a wopping 540 baht (or $17.50)
The next day we got up early (yes, we actually get up early here) and set out to see some of the many temples and monuments of Bangkok. Even though I’m not big on this stuff, it is really incredible how much work they put into their religious monuments.
Below: Megan though the 200ft tall Buddha was the highlight of her day.
Below: Wat Arun, near sunset – as seen from the river
This morning we booked a cooking class near our guesthouse and it completely exceeded both of our expectations. The class starts out with the chef taking us through the local markets and telling us how to select the freshest produce and meats. Then we head to a kitchen to cook 6 different dishes from Curries to Desserts. Here are some of the pics.
A Thai sells meat in an secluded, hole in the wall market near Samsen Road.
Below: Chef Lee preps us on how to pick out the finest tasting shrimp.
Below: Megan – so proud of her Chicken Phad Thai dish.
Sticky rice with mango dessert. Before you turn up your nose at it, try it. Without question, the best dessert I’ve ever tasted.
And finally, us with the chef. Off to “Jok” again tonight for the 3rd time – Makes for a great fairwell to Bangkok, as we’re moving on to greener pastures via the night bus to Chiang Mai tomorrow night. We’re both pumped for what’s to come.
Hasta La Vista……
Kamikaze Canuck 
I can vouche for that dessert Jason. It was awesome. Looking forward to more stories, save travels to Chiang Mai.
My goal for this trip was to stay in shape. Not gonna happen. 1 week into the trip and here is the dessert count so far:
– 4 mango sticky rice
– 2 banana pancakes
– 1 traditional Chinese dessert (barf!) in Chinatown, Bangkok
So what’s the best part of the trip so far? The people, food, scenery or buildings? Looks like an awesome trip! Hope the rest is just as fun!
Which Matt is this? Rennie? Is that you?
Best part….hmmmmm…. I’ll have to consult Megan on this one.
Ok, here’s what we have come up with.
Megan says her favorite time so far was when we rented bikes (1.50/day) and rode throughout Chiang Mai (about 500,000 population in the greater area) for nearly the whole day. Sometimes getting lost is the best way to explore a place. We weaved in and out of back alleys, found some out of the way coffee shop to sit down and play a game of cards at, and visited some charities to give some donations.
My favorite part of the trip is the street food. Every time I get vaccinated before I go traveling, I hear “make sure you don’t eat from the street vendors”. What a pile of crap! Rule #1: Never get advice about a country from someone who hasn’t been to that country. Walking down the lit up street at night and sampling all the amazing family recipes that have been handed down over the generations – unbelievable. And the best part, you can eat and eat and eat and eat for under $5. Last night I wined and dined Megan by taking her out for Noodle Soup from a street vendor. Total bill: 20 Baht (66 cents). Yes, I’m a romancer.
Jaaasssoon! Finally we’ve got the google machine hooked up at the new pad so I am able to keep tabs on your every excursion. Being out of the loop was not cool. The trip so far looks amazing! The two of you look like a great team, jampacking so many experiences into a short time! I’m impressed Meg… Gotta say. Having set out across Thailand with your partner in crime before I know that there are not many who can keep up. So good on ya.
Enjoyed all of your posts from Bangkok! Considering it is a city in which many people fly into and get out of as quick as possible you guys have managed to find loads to soak in.
I’d be lying if I said I wouldnt want to be catching the night train to Chiang Mia with the two of you. Promise me at least that you will put in a few solid shifts at Heavens Beach! ( Our favorite pub in the world! Consisting of dirt floors, Old solid wood tables and live local musicians that would have you wondering if you are at Eric Claptons MTV unplugged show.) Super excited for what adventures are in store for u. I know that if there are gems of experiences to be found. You are the one to find them.
Things are all good at home. All moved into the new palace and loving it. Also had our ultrasound yesterday and I couldnt believe my eyes. There is literally a little person inside Jo waiting to be set out into the world! So nuts.. Couldnt get over that the little gaffer is already fully formed!
Keep up the great, informative, not to metion well written posts! Thinking of you guys tonnes. Take care and safe travels.
Christopher Columbus Ohio
PS.. Dont OD on street food! There’s been a lot of good men fall victim to the overwhelming urge to consume chicken on a stick until there demise. Can never be too careful!
Jimmy, wrote you a haiku:
Haven’t seen your face,
So many current events,
Again let’s be friends
I love that you’re making an effort to stay in shape while traveling.