Adventures in Bangkok

So where do I even begin with Bangkok? After hearing mixed reviews about the city, I knew I had to figure out for myself exactly what it was all about. As our time here comes to an end I realise that in just a few short days, we have seen and done so much. It's strange to think we've not even been away for a week yet, but we have started our adventure off in style in a bustling, lively and busy city. I remember thinking that when we eventually got to Bangkok we wouldn't have a clue what to do next and that thought made me incredibly nervous and scared. I knew we'd be going out into the big wide world without a solid plan and no clue what to do when we got there. In fact, having no real plan is the best thing about this trip. We are in no rush, we have no restrictions or a timescale, we are literally just going with the flow and taking each day as it comes. And that is an amazing feeling. Staying in a hostel for the first time was just weird. It was strange to be sharing a room with random other people we'd never met before and all of a sudden I just felt so shy and nervous about the whole thing. Having a bed and a locker to call home for the next few days seemed strange to me. After only a few nights, we were already calling it home and it felt natural. I now realise I love sleeping in a hostel and having all my belongings on my bed. It's my own personal space and I love looking around the room at my fellow roommates and seeing their spaces in a way that is unique to them. I find the whole experience very invigorating. To have only a few precious belongings and to not feel cluttered. In both my physical space and in my mind. So anyway, back to Bangkok! We surprisingly are really good at this whole travelling thing. Stef is amazing at directions and navigated us around the city perfectly. I definitely wouldn't have been able to do it without her. I would have resorted to Tuk Tuks the whole time (which is a whole other experience, let me tell you!). We've been on many adventures on the train, the sky train and the metro. We've been in taxis and Tuk Tuks and got lost a lot. It's been exciting to find myself in a strange city and to explore my surroundings and to soak up such a different culture. We've been to amazing Buddhist temples made out of jewels and gold, we've been to a Thai house and dressed up in traditional Thai dress, we've been to a huge shopping centre, we've walked so far and eaten some hot and lovely food. The main thing on our to to-do list was the infamous Khao San Road, a backpackers haven. I'd heard rumours about this haunt from lots of people and Stef and I couldn't wait to check it out. We spent about two days just looking for this road that was meant to be alive with bars, clubs, shops, markets and hostels. But could we find the place?! It wasn't exactly easy to locate for such a famous backpackers spot.

Part of our adventures in Bangkok happened because of our relentless search for Khao San Road. When we eventually found it, we had an adventurous evening that started off with a very sweaty dinner and copious amounts of cocktails and beer. A crazy night was enjoyed, where Stef even ate a leg of a bug and was being forced to eat the rest of the disgusting thing. I wouldn't go near it with a barge pole! Stef said the leg tasted of Twiglets... Eww! Absolutely hilarious night was had by all, met a few lovely people from all over the world and danced and enjoyed ourselves till late at night. I don't remember much from that night but I do remember saying to Stef that I felt so free and happy. Our adventure has only just begun and we are loving life, we've not got a care in the world. It's swelteringly hot, there's no air, we only have a backpack to our name and a bed to call home, but I could honestly live like this forever. After all this, i haven't even given my opinion on the city. I love it, it's not what I thought it would be like at all. It's busy, it's lovely, it's colourful, it's got character, it's got culture. There's a little bit of everything in this city and I think it will have a place in my heart as it was the place we started our adventures. So long Bangkok, it's been nice knowing you, thanks for introducing us to the world of backpacking! See you soon!