After the travelling day from hell going overland from Siem Reap to Bangkok (via one 'air-con' bus - ie the door was left open for the journey -, one 'coach' - ie cramped minivan - and a 3 hour wait in line at immigration), we finally arrive at our hotel. The main theme of our four days in Bangkok seem to be people trying to scam us and/or rip us off. From the bus trip to the hotel to taxi and tuktuk drivers to the 'friendly' lady on the street who saw us reading a map, stopped to help us out then proceeded to tell us we needed to go and buy some precious stones from a shop 'just around the corner', we could not escape their clutches!
Apart from these incidents I decide that I would definately like to go back to Bangkok on a shopping trip when I have the money to spend. The Doctor and I spend most of our time at MBK, a mall-like version of market stalls. Six levels of stores. I can't resist the temptation and make a few bargain buys including a "Jimmy Choo" bag, ship them home and hope that the package arrives there safely. On our last day we discover an even larger fashion outlet where there is such a variety of clothes for so cheap that I am disappointed I can spend no money here. Bangkok is the place to buy up big!
Due to the protests we decide to be safe and stay in the area furthest away. This just happens to be the sex tourist area. Lovely. In reality, its actually not all that bad and feels quite safe despite the fact that Western women in this area are outnumbered by Western men 100-1. Old men that is. Quite old. The Doctor and I even see one gent who appeared to be on his last legs hanging out on the main strip. Having walked past market stalls in this area advertising "NEW PORN DVDS" and even Viagra, we shudder to think what goes on in the hotel we are staying at. We also seem to spot quite a few lady-boys during our time there and wonder why this is, compared to say Sydney, where I think I have only ever seen one man dressed as a woman in an everyday environment. Or maybe I just don't get out enough.
