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June 08, 2005
Khao San Road
(Day 111) So I've finally reached Krungthep mahanakhon amonratanakosin mahintara ayuthaya mahadilok popnopparat ratchathani burirom udomratchaniwet mahasathan amonpiman avatansathit sakkathattiya witsanukamprasit. Or Bangkok, for those unable to pronounce the official name.
Many backpackers flock to Khao San Road for the wide selection of guesthouses and rooms. There's something for every budget, ranging from 100 baht per night rooms that consist of no more than a mattress, fan, and four thin walls, to 1500 baht per night hotel suites, with private bathrooms, hot water, and access to exclusive pools. I picked something in between, that had air conditioning, shared shower facilities, and clean sheets. I'm not so poor yet that I have to sleep with the roaches.
Travellers will often disparage Khao San Road for being what it is: A 24 hour farang (foreigner) party. Whether you like it or not, it's certainly worth a look. It's quite a phenomenon, walking down the street and seeing caucasians outnumber Thai people. Sometime in the evening, the street becomes blocked off to cars, to protect the drunken revellers dancing in the streets.
I wasn't feeling the greatest; Travelling at night isn't as good an idea as it might sound. While it may seem like a time saver to take an overnighter and arrive the next morning ready for a new day, the truth is the ride will often be quite draining, requiring a day recover. I didn't get out of bed until noon. At the recommendation of a member of the audience, I found the Mai Kaidee restaurant, located in a quiet soi at the end of the street. The food was good, but the dishes were vegetarian, meaning I had to tuck in a whopper meal at the Burger King out front before I finally felt full.
I didn't have the energy to wander away from Khao San Road to see the sights. There was no rush anyways. I would probably stay here a few days, and since all roads lead to Bangkok, I'm sure this won't be my last visit. And to be honest, I felt a sense of completion. My intention is to travel around the world, but I've set mini goals for myself along the way, the first of which is to reach Bangkok. Having gotten this far, it's almost like, what now?
Laundry was on my 'to do' list today. I give my clothes a rinse every few days, but at some point, they really need a good 'professional' wash. I couldn't find a single shirt that I could wear while the rest were being cleaned so I went outside to buy one. There were plenty of stands selling tshirts, all with loud and often vulgar sayings and/or pictures. Finding one that suited my quiet and reserved demeanor proved difficult, but not impossible, as I finally found one that I could relate to.
I took it easy the rest of the day, strolling through the stands selling pirated movies, tshirts, postcards, and other souvenier items. Tuk-tuk drivers were sometimes a nuisance, but not as 'in your face' as I thought they'd be. Travel agencies and massage parlors could be found all over. I would probably pay a visit to both in the near future.
My favorite part of Khao San Road though, had to be the fact that I was finally recognized as the foreign traveller that I am. Everyone spoke to me in english ("Hey you, you want tuk-tuk?") instead of in Thai. Lately I've given the confused look so often that I fear I might be developing permanent wrinkles on my forehead. Being able to fit in is nice, but sometimes I crave the farang treatment and not have to begin every conversation with "English please." And Khao San Road is the perfect place for that!
Thanks to everyone for their support and comments! Knowing people are reading keeps me motivated to continue the updates!
Posted by markyiin at June 8, 2005 05:26 AM
Comments
awesome, it's nice to know who's reading :)
Next entry... 'The Dating Game' hahaha.
Chung: definately going to try to go to vietnam. i heard the place is beautiful!
Robert: bootleg movies are everywhere. i was in malaysia when star wars ep III came out, but it was for sale on the streets there three days after the opening, so i imagine it was in thailand by then too. (and i STILL havent seen the movie)
Aves: there's a counter on the bottom of the main page, i'm not exactly sure what constitutes a unique visit though...
Simon: second to espn? i'll take that :) i'm going to start making my way to laos this weekend, will probably take a week or two to see the sights along the way. i'll probably then come back to thailand before going to vietnam and cambodia.
Bing: only two weeks in NZ? man, you're gonna miss out on so much!
karen: sorry for not keeping the 'photos' page up to date.. that's been one thing that i've found very hard to do... :P
Posted by: markyiin at June 8, 2005 05:41 AM
hey, im glad u liked it. we ate there like 3 times. it is vegetarian but i thought it was filling. the pad thai and spring rolls were great. some stuff got a little spicy for me.
hey, there is a resturant on the corner of kho san by the d+d hostel...its a bar really...forget the name but they have FREE internet.
and tell those tuk tuks no shopping lol...
seeing that picture brings back some memories...i am jealous.....glad ur having a good time
Posted by: Matt at June 8, 2005 07:27 AM
First of all, if you're a SW fan then you must see the movie, ASAP!
Second, at least find out how much the "happy ending" is at the massage parlor! :P
Posted by: Aves at June 8, 2005 08:08 AM
oh yeah, i read your blog every morning too. it'd be a little sad if you decided to blog less frequently, but understandable. i don't think this should become a chore for you, since you're out to enjoy yourself.
Posted by: Anna at June 8, 2005 08:15 AM
I remember Khao San, it was my fave spots for shopping...Where are you staying? We stayed at the Four sons guest house down the street...It was cool. What I like about Bangkok at night is out of nowhere vans will pop up and all of sudden there are these mini bars EVERYWHERE!!
Posted by: Darlynne at June 8, 2005 10:04 AM
hey mark, i have been meaning to ask you: how are you dealing with flights? did you get an around the world ticket or are you buying as you go?
Posted by: Matt at June 8, 2005 10:23 AM
Nice t-shirt, now you just need a cape and khakis pants to play ball.
Posted by: Simon at June 8, 2005 11:15 AM
whoa, there are now TWO BINGS reading this site??!!
now THAT is coincidence...lol
b
Posted by: The real bing at June 8, 2005 11:28 PM
Ha! Since it seems like you were first, I'll change my posting name here. I'm in New Joisey so I'll call myself Bada Bing. ;-)
Mark: I dare you to show off your guns and cut off the sleeves!
2 weeks in NZ is all the time I can spare... and I might be spending several days in Auckland cause I'm spending some time with a girl there.
Posted by: Bada Bing at June 9, 2005 12:22 AM
Can't wait to see all of the pictures of Bangkok.
We need more girl pics, please :)
Posted by: Chung at June 9, 2005 04:03 AM
"On hold" !?! Gosh, what's happened? Sure, let the suspense build - just as all great writers do.
But I think this obscure and ominous entry is scarier than a no-show would have been... Hope all's well!
Posted by: Lisa at June 9, 2005 12:58 PM
on hold?
Posted by: blueginger at June 9, 2005 02:28 PM
the funny thing is i am from jersey as well lol originally at least...
b
Posted by: bing at June 9, 2005 09:47 PM
Wait, I'm confused about the ON HOLD post. What does that mean?! Are you saying you can't post as much anymore? What's going on here?! Right when I started spreading out your website because my friends and I are planning to hit up Asia. Damn. Well, do what you must. Enjoy yourself and we look forward to the next update -- whenever that may be. Take care. -GEM
Posted by: GEM at June 10, 2005 01:02 AM
What is the language/writing I've been seeing in your Thai photos ?
Posted by: Edward at June 10, 2005 07:42 AM
Mark?!? Why are you on hold? Since you say that everything is alright, I'm just hoping it wasn't something TOO bad... but you realize that putting the post on hold is actually worrying some of us more so than if you were to just simply post?!? =P
Take your time though... I'm sure you have many stories to tell.
Posted by: Tree at June 11, 2005 01:03 AM
sorry, for the on hold post thing. i've got about five days to catch up on, but it's been such a whirlwind these past few days. my new friend has been a surprise after surprise. (pleasant surprises). i flew to chiang rai this morning with her, who had to attend an awards ceremony where she received a prestigious award in front of high ranking government officials. i think a member of the royal family was there too, which in thaiand, is a really big deal. i've been invited to spend time in a thai household, so thats where i'm going tomorrow. anyways, sorry for the cryptic 'on hold' thing. i'll be caught up in a few days.
Posted by: markyiin at June 11, 2005 10:05 AM
OK, looks like you posted something. That whole on hold thing made it sound like something bad may have happened. Sounds like you are enjoing yourself. I look forward to updates when you get around to them.
Posted by: GW at June 11, 2005 03:17 PM
i guess you will be staying in thailand for longer now...
comon, dont lie, you know there is no girl, the reason why you are staying there is caue most of the guys are short and you can dominate like shaq on the court!!
:P
Posted by: bing at June 11, 2005 10:28 PM
What a tease... Glad to hear you are having what seems like an amazing time.
I'm looking forward to reading what you have been up to this past week once you get a chance to type it up. Hopefully you have taken lots of photos to prove that you aren't turning into a fiction writer!
Posted by: Bada Bing at June 12, 2005 01:49 AM
Hey, Superman, there you are. Thanks for checking in! Glad to hear about your whirlwind buddy.
Yeah, photos! Your adoring fans want proof.
Posted by: Lisa at June 13, 2005 01:07 PM
did you remember to pack your tuxedo with you? hehe what did you wear to the award ceremony?
Posted by: yitao at June 13, 2005 02:41 PM
mark, update! how is everything?
Posted by: Matt at June 13, 2005 08:25 PM
how come I don't remember your life being so interesting when I saw you everyday?
Posted by: Siuwah at June 13, 2005 10:21 PM
on hold?!!
just came across your blog. will heading to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand in a few weeks and im looking for ideas where to stay and what to do. your blog seems the one to guide us.
thanks.
will read the rest of your entries tonight.
Posted by: Anonymous at June 14, 2005 05:28 AM
Just read your latest brief update... I should have put a little ;-) on my last comment about "writing fiction".
You seem like a good guy who's been really straight-forward with everything you've experienced so far, so I trust that what you write is what really happened unless you say that you shacked up with Angelina Jolie in her Cambodian bungelow. ;-)
Posted by: Bada Bing at June 14, 2005 07:11 PM
Uh oh...I think someone met a girl......
It'll do it to you everytime.
Posted by: Chung at June 14, 2005 10:39 PM