19.01 Day 4 Bangkok
Day 4 - Friday 19th Jan - Bangkok
Our first moving day. I had expected that, with the kids in tow especially, if we wanted to see more of a city, that we would need to base ourselves in several parts of Bangkok. As the total distance covered for 3 breakfasts and 3 dinners was probably less than 500 metres i feel a little vindicated. Even if we do have to have the prospect of moving on a 35 degree day. It is also a shame because breakfast - 4 pork skewers, a dozen doughnut holes, watermelon and raisin bread from 4 different local vendors is the best yet. Coffee is good too, though the less said about the thai tea that looked the same red as condensed tomato soup, the better.
As we know we can’t check in at our new place until 2pm, we clear out our room, leave our bags downstairs and walk the ferry having decided to ride it ro its Southern end and back. On the 45 minute journey you witness more development, the buildings getting newer and taller.
Disembarking we realise we have no plan and aimless walking just “sightseeing” does not sit well with the children so we dive into a 7/11 for aircon and a pick-me-up snack (peanuts with dried anchovies are a hit with me, the others will never know as they won’t try them) and find on on google maps a department store and food court nearby. When peering over our shoulders, Seb announces “there’s that blue dot again, it keeps following us.” Seb gets a new soft toy - Sapphire the Seal - Lion has been binned after not travelling well and after some Lego building in the toy section, we find lunch in a trendy food court (cavernous and clean rather than dark and dingy) before catching the ferry back upstream.
Some moments i’m fine with the Bangkok, grateful for 15 years practice in Sydney, but moments sat on a plastic chair as the sun pours in the side of the open boat with a hot sleeping child leaning on me is not one of those moments. At least I have Sienna and not the walking hot water bottle of Seb as Kate does. It sounds unlikely then, but the walk with each of Kate and I pulling a suitcase which have the kids rucksack attached, plus wearing our own rucksack isn’t as bad as expected. Especially with a Moma’s iced tea to refresh us en-route.
Lobsuek Hostel is home for the next few nights, set just back from a small canal, 5 or so minutes away from the infamous Khaosan Road. A newer hostel with plenty of exposed chipboard and crisp black fittings, complete with rooftop and, most excitingly for the kids (and me), free ice cream available all day. Our room has two tall single bunk beds, the kids both eagerly claiming a top bunk each, and a smart ensuite bathroom. Whilst the kids have some down time / screen time, I venture out to see Khaosan Road and its surroundings.
My first time here and I'm underwhelmed - it's an ongoing loop of shops and market stalls all selling tourist tat, cannabis, tattoos, massages, cheap electricals, elephant pants and some bars/restaurants thrown in. I’ve seen more Caucasians in the last 30 minutes than i have in the last 3 days.
Re-enforcing our lack of desire / inability to travel to source food, we walk about 150 metres to Nava Thai, cooking on the street for us staples of rice and noodle we’ve already become accustomed which are gratefully wolfed down.
