Bangkok Bound... - Blogabond

Although we only spent 5 days in Australia we felt like we really gasped what the Australian culture had to offer... ohh wait. that might be because it is identical to Canadian culture! The few days we spent touring around Sydney felt like we were right back downtown Toronto enjoying a cup of coffee and a bagel in any corner cafe. I know that is blunt and I'm sure Australia has a lot more to offer but in the short time we had there we definitely got the hometown vibe!
We spent the last two days with Claire’s friend Laura in Wollongong. It was a cute suburban city that gave off a feeling of warmth and small town kindness but with 300,000 people. Not so small!
Laura was a gracious host and made us feel so welcome. Her roommate Meagan was also there to show us around town and take us to the hot spots. We spent most of the day shopping and walking around exploring. (Thank you ladies; we had a great time with you both)
Although we only stayed in Australia for 5 days we were happy to be on our way. (Not to leave Laura and Meagan) but to get our REAL backpacking journey started. So far we haven’t really stayed in hostels but rather friends houses.
Thailand was going to be the beginning of a new way of living!
We arrived in Bangkok last night around 10:30pm local time. --Advice to all, try to arrive in a foreign country in the day time to reduce confusion!--
We called Claires friend Camille to tell her we were in town and excited to meet up. She gave us directions to a hostel that she had pre-booked and we left the airport in search of a taxi.
Shockingly when we emerged from the terminal there weren’t men in our faces yelling about their taxi services. They were far off in the distance but nothing too intense. My vision was to be overwhelmed by people yelling and grabbing for us to get into their car!
I felt safe getting into the hot pink taxi cab (the colour of taxi's in Thailand). It cost about $20 Canadian to get to the hostel which is 550 baht.
The conversion is a bit difficult at times but Claire has some quick math skills so together we can make it work!
For our first day in Thailand we walked around one part of town looking at the overflowing shops of clothing and jewelry! Claire and I have been restraining ourselves not to buy clothes in Fiji and Australia so we can go nuts in Thailand.... and we did! Within reason though! We have a month and three weeks to go and my prediction is that we will have a whole new wardrobe by the time we hit Europe!
Camille, Claire’s friend, and her sister Lara have really helped us with getting adjusted to the culture. They knew where to go and how to bargain! They have already been such a huge help!
The girls are resting in our hostel right now. We have a 4 person bedroom with a private bathroom for less than $40... So cheap!
Our plan is to head to Chiang Mai tomorrow or the next day with a few others... I’m excited for the lazy river and eco-tourism that everyone has told me about.
More blogs to come...

Hugs and kisses from Thailand!
Jxxx

written by

clairejenna on February 16, 2009 from Bangkok, Thailand

from the travel blog: Claire and Jenna Do The World

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I am sure Claire's math skills were honed by counting artifacts for 7.5 months! :D

Are you girls heading to Vietnam? From what I've heard, you may want to save some pennies for purchasing clothes and shoes there. Tailor made too.

Have fun on the river!
I hope all is well, hugs to you both!

~Denise

written by Denise on February 17, 2009

Hi guys, missing up heaps! Glad you made it safely to Bangkok. Be mindful of local laws and customs such as the lèse-majesté law particularly when you have a king called Bhumibol. Funny, yes, but could land you in jail! Reminds me of a story: many years ago, at a grand reception, the British Foreign Secretary George Brown tottered up to a figure resplendent in a fetching purple frock, and slurringly asked for a dance. She turned him down with the response: “First, you are drunk. Second, this is not a waltz, it is the Peruvian national anthem. And third, I am not a woman, I am the Cardinal Archbishop of Lima.” ;-) Azeem

written by poete_maudit on February 18, 2009

Sorry! That should say, "Missing you heaps". Azeem

written by poete_maudit on February 18, 2009

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