We have arrived! Soi Bat and Downtown Bangkok

Hi everyone!!! WE MADE IT!!! The flight wasn't as bad as we anticipated, the plane had individual TV screens and we watched movies and played games to make the time pass. We were able to sit in bulk head seats from LA to Taipei so we had plenty of leg room and the ability to stretch out. We traveled 27 hours total- across the date line. Although our bodies were exhausted, our minds were full of anticipation.

We arrived at 2 am. After waiting impatiently in the Immigration line, Johnny was there to met us at the airport. As we approached him, he was standing with several security guards. I thought, "oh no, what is he up to now?" As we got a little closer I realized that he had taken the guard's walkie-talkie and was pretending to run off with it. The guards were dressed in full military gear but had friendly smiles and laughs for Johnny, the crazy "forong."

We walked out into the humidity and negotiated a fair price for a taxi. Johnny lives off of "Soi Bat" in a suburb of Bangkok. This is perfect for really experiencing how the locals live. You exit the 16 lane super highway and turn left just before Big C, the Thai equivalent of Wal-mart. (More hilarious stories about this favored location later.) Soi Bat is a clean 6 lane lane street with a tree lined median. Flowers are manicured by the Thai government and really enhance the beauty of the area. On either side there are small outdoor eateries, Buddhist temples and even a local bar or two. About a half mile down, turn right just before a new apartment complex that's under construction. Johnny's building is white and is 5 stories tall. It has red and white striped awnings. There is a nice seating area on the front porch with a coy pond and fountain. The washing machines are located on the front steps. There's even a little convenient store and barber shop.

We dropped our bags upstairs and went down for a much needed Sing Ha beer over ice. It is extremely hot and humid here, we weren't expecting for it to be so hot even early in the morning. We haven't slept yet, luckily we got plenty of sleep on the plane (thanks for the sleeping pills!) We sat in the veranda surrounded by ivy's and talked into sunrise. The fish tanks made a nice humming sound and mosquitoes loved my bare Texas legs.

As the sun rose overhead we walked across Soi Bat to an authentic floating village on the river. It is incredible to see how people live, tiny one room apartments with several family members, no kitchens or AC. Many set up a table right outside their door and sell fresh fruits, meat and coffee for others. We came across a small play ground were we got a few strange glances as we were clearly the only Westerners around.

We jumped on the back of a motorbike taxi and stopped in Johnny's morning coffee stand. Thai iced milk coffee in a plastic bag for $0.12! It was be best we've ever had!! There was a man with a news paper, school kids in uniforms and people weaving in and out of each other on their way to work. Welcome to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok!

We cross the catwalk over the highway and hopped on a crowded local bus headed downtown. We didn't get very far before we had to evacuate because our bus scrapped the side of a car. The streets are filled with people, scooters, bikes, tuk-tuks and cars with no regard to traffic lanes or sidewalks. You must be fearless to drive in this organized insanity! You'll see 3 adults and a small child zooming by on one bike. There is no limit on how much or what they can carry with them.

Johnny is really amusing and it's a huge help to have him around because he speaks enough Thai to get us from one place to another and joke around with the locals. Everyone we've crossed paths with is friendly and has a pleasant sense of humor.

We explored China Town, saw many ornately decorated temples, grand palaces and monuments of the King. We enjoyed roaming the endless streets with wholesale venders, sweltering street food and independent shops selling anything you can imagine (from Hello Kitty alarm clocks to intricately hand carved wooden sculptures.)

We whizzed around in a tuk-tuk *so much fun* and took a water taxi around the area for 7 Baht. Lunch was $1 each, including cokes in a glass bottle. We negotiated a free ride with the tuk-tuk driver but the deal was that we had to go to 5 different shops first. It was a good way to kill time and see the area. Everyone was happy except for the shop owners who tried desperately to sell us beautiful but terribly expensive rugs, jewelry and tailor made suits. We knew what we were getting into, it was all about having a fun filled afternoon. We've already seen so much and we've only been here a few hours!

We are going to stay here until approximately Sunday and then head south to a beach town named Krabi. We are really looking forward to getting out of the big city and relaxing on a quite beach. Bangkok is fascinating and there is so much going on in every direction. The streets are literally endless and venders are everywhere.

We have a nice place to stay and a refreshing shower made all the difference. We miss and love you all!

"Sa wa dee kah" from Bangkok,
Loranda, Alex and Johnny