First impressions

I knew I was back in South-East Asia as a large cockroach scampered across my table. Eating a noodle soup for around a dollar at a street food stand brings obvious parallels to Vietnam and the cockroach is no exception. Celine and I would simply shrug our shoulders and smile; a different reaction from a year and a half ago in Hanoi.

As Celine mentioned Bangkok is a massive city. There is so much to do and see that it will take a while to really get our bearings. That being said, with a few days of solid walking, around a few different districts, you are able to get a good feel for the city.

Bangkok is busy and there are people everywhere. It is an interesting city with many things happening around you. On one side I see similarities to the West with big, ultra modern shopping centre’s spread throughout the city. The massive complexes such as MBK Centre and Siam Paragon are truly impressive with everything under the sun available. A whole floor of the MBK centre is dedicated to phones, new and used, so was the obvious place to head for a new SIM. Supermarkets such as Tops are more modern than in Sydney and the train lines, both the sky train and Metro, put Sydney's to shame. I know Bangkok is a big city but for a developing country some of their infrastructure is top class.

On the other side I see a likeness to Hanoi. Last night we got lost in the back streets not far from our apartment and once off the main road you find communities of Thai people living their normal life. The bendy narrow streets are filled with street food stands and miniature markets with locals buying their dinner. We stopped for a noodle soup - delicious. Motorbikes zoom past while friends sit outside chatting and sharing a beer. The Thai's, just like the Vietnamese are very friendly which makes it an easy transition into a new culture.

I see more homeless people in Bangkok which is virtually non-existent in Hanoi. There are even white foreigners living on the streets in here; two not far from us.

There are a lot of old Westerners in Bangkok, many with a young Thai girl around their arm. Only a day here and you will see this. At dinner a few nights ago a guy of 80+ and around 130kg hobbled in with his walking stick and a Thai girl. She was somewhere in her twenties and looked bored and uninterested; you can hardly blame her. Bangkok seems to be the place for old dudes who are lonely.

The food here is amazing. Of course we already knew this so to be back here eating one dollar noodle soups, pad thais or green curries is awesome. The list of options seems endless which makes for some great meals ahead.

Celine and I are both happy to be here in Bangkok. The weather has been cooler than normal so exploring the city has been much more enjoyable. We have found ourselves in a great area with a good apartment.

Next stop........JOB.