Bangkok - A final flurry
Trip Start
Sep 09, 2008
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Trip End
Aug 17, 2009
Bangkok, Thailand
Friday, August 14, 2009
We are staying in our usual guest house, cheap, clean and far enough away from the Khao San Rd that we don't have to deal with the chaos if we choose not to. David and Patrick arrived here with us on the bus from Cambodia, but our German friend soon left for the sun and sand of Bali. It's now just myself, Mish and David, holding the fort.
Everybody loves their king and queen here in Thailand and so on Wednesday the city came alive as every man, woman and child hit the streets for the queens 77th birthday. Bangkok sparkled that night, even more than it's normally vibrant self and it's citizens came out in force, determined to party the night away. There were fireworks, live music, singing and dancing and as the loud speakers played the national anthem the patriotic Thais hoisted more candles in the air than at a Bon Jovi concert. The atmosphere was electric. Muay Thai boxing was held in the main square as part of the festivities and we were kept entertained for two nights, standing ringside in the humid night air watching the contests. I have been impressed with Muay Thai boxing ever since we arrived in Thailand. I've not only been fascinated by the technical side but also intrigued by the ritual, the traditions observed by the boxers and the respect they show to each other. It never ceases to amaze me just how brutal Muay Thai boxing can be and how it is openly accepted here in such a peaceful nation.
On our third visit to the city, we have discovered a few new treats that Bangkok has to offer, namely a lovely little restaurant called Ethos. This has been a great place to just chill and read within a peaceful, friendly atmosphere. It's free wireless internet is a big pull and it's always busy with people slurping away on delicious fruit shakes while tapping away at there laptops. The owner, Phil, is a warm, friendly person who loves to talk and make his guests feel at home. One afternoon he came and sat at our table and we discussed, amongst other things, a from of meditation that he had stumbled upon recently. He said it had benefited him in a number of ways and now he wished to pass on the positives to others. He was offering forty five minute sessions for free above his restaurant and asked if we would like to give it a whirl. Both myself and David were intrigued and took him up on his offer the following day. I can honestly say that during those forty five minutes of meditation, my body has never felt so comfortable and relaxed and it was a rare treat for my mind to be near-on relieved of it's normal internal chitter-chatter. I can see some benefits if I integrated a few of these sessions into my week and so It's something I will definitely look into further when I return home.
So, it's goodbye to David and goodbye to Bangkok. It's been a real pleasure having the company of two old friends, as we have come to view them both. David will soon fly to India to discover a whole new world. I wish him luck and hope that he enjoys his experience there as much as we did. Bangkok is a place worthy of a return visit and I feel that there are plenty of well hidden secrets waiting to be discovered in this city. We have but scratched the surface. Our time on Koh Pha-Ngan and trekking in the north were by far our favourite times here in Thailand. We will return one day in the hope of discovering the Thailand that has been mostly lost under the weight of tourism. I know it still exists, we glimpsed it while we were in the north near the Myanmar border, but next time, with more time, we would like to lose ourselves and avoid the beaten track that is so well trodden. We will miss the friendly Thai way with their warm smiles. My stomach will for grumble for their fragrant food. Time is almost up, but we have yet to hear the fat lady sing and so now it's on to Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lumpur, our final destination.
XXX
