Tags
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Elephants. Pai, Hot Springs, Thailand, Tigers
Switching gears from Hostel living and staying at the Royal Orchid Sheraton. This place rocks!
Hello from Bangkok. I met up with Paul, my friend from Vietnam and we are having a blast! I spent the first day and night in the Sukhumvit district, at the Park hotel where he was staying, so we could be certain that we would connect. No hitches there. Fast forward to almost the next morning, we both didn’t get too much sleep, enjoying the Bangkok night life.Â
Paul, is an American, who decided to live in Vietnam, after taking a 4 week vacation in the Southeast Asia area nearly 10 years ago. He had a successful business career in the San Francisco area and asked himself, “Do I really want this 9-5 lifestyle for the rest of my life?” Obviously, the answer was no and he packed some belongings, sold the rest, and moved to Vietnam, where he teaches Vietnamese students business related subjects. He has totally immersed himself in the Southeast Asia culture and is quite comfortable with “how things work here.”
Paul eating breakfast.
After establishing my connection with Paul my first day here, I had to transfer to the Sheraton Royal Orchid hotel, where I had made previous reservations a month before my RTW trip. I guess “had to” isn’t exactly the correct expression, since I was really looking forward to a bit of pampering after Chill Backpackers hostel, where they charge you for the towels and soap. Ha. Paul and I were still able to meet at designated times at his hotel (which by the way, is quite nice too, albeit, it could use a face lift).
Early morning American style breakfast, then off and running . . .
Well, I only have an hour to get this post out. This is my plan for the next 8 days: I have booked a trip to Chiang Mai, that Paul was instrumental in assisting me in planning. Specifically, he introduced me to Mimi, a travel agent in Bangkok, who knows how to get the best deals for your dollar (or baht, Thai currency). I will be heading to the Northern mountains tomorrow via a plane, where I will spend a couple of days in Chiang Mai. Then I am scheduled for a 2 night elephant trek – where I will actually be riding an elephant as my mode of transportation. I understand tigers still roam the area. Interesting. After this jungle camping trip, I will then spend another day in Chiang Mai, before heading to Pai, a hot springs resort in the area, to relax and unwind. Of course, I will hopefully not be eaten by a tiger during my elephant trek. Mimi was able to arrange all of this travel, accommodations, including food, for under $700. Wow!
Awesome view from my hotel room.
River that runs through Bangkok. View from my room.
Sorry, I don’t have too many pictures of what Bangkok is really like. I will post pictures at another time when I have time. Until then, take care. 😉
Around The World With Steve 
safe travels in the jungle….
“careful – he bite!”… sorry, couldn’t contain myself! 🙂
Hi Shari, yeah I plan on it. Actually, I am more worried about the mosquitoes that love to bite me. 🙂
Love the view, watching the world go by. this is almost normal tourist/business living – but I can’t wait for the hot springs, that’s a lifetime ambition of mine… although I really want to do it in Iceland – I don’t expect your RTW will get that far. How on earth does one pick places to go, I bet you’re already planning the next trip? Glad you arrived safely but maybe you should check out how to tackle tigers… and elephants before you move on 🙂 – V
Hey there Verity! I was extremely fortunate to have been introduced to Mimi, the travel agent. Paul has used her quite a few times for travel in the far east. She knows SE Asia like the back of her hand. Quite an interesting experience this morning – In back in the Sheraton, the Chaopraya river flows and there are numerous water taxis that will take you anywhere you want to go. Better still, the Sheraton operates a courtesy luxury boat that takes you to the “Sky Train” to get to destinations within Bangkok. Much faster than the snail pace streets that are clogged with travel. Quite a bit of air pollution, mostly from the 2 cycle Tuk Tuk (tri-cycle cabs that take you anywhere – thus “took equals tuk” you here, there, etc.) and motorcycles that are a major source of air pollution.
Aah, a luxury, free boat down the river…now you’re talking. I guess you could hire a motorbike, leave the polution in your wake 🙂 that might be fun
Paul looks like a laid-back dude, including the cigs.
Looks like you’re enjoying yourself, Blade. Since you’re on vacation, from what are you going to go to a spa to “relax and unwind”? 😉
Have fun, and be careful at the same time…
Careful is my middle name. Paul is from California – so yeah, he is quite “laid back.” Not too much bothers him.
It looks like Paul is drinking coffee and a having a cocktail with his eggs. My kind of breakfast!
Well, I could lie and say that he was drinking, but the fact is that he wasn’t. 🙂
I guess you both emerged unscathed from the Bangkok night life. Um, we’ll never see photos of those escapades, will we? Happy elephanting! As a local store clerk from India used to remind me, “Elephant is Vishnu!” So be nice.
Yes, we did Paul. Grin. Stay tuned – as I mentioned to Dirt a couple of minutes ago, I am about to post another thread from our adventure here.
Nice pics. Flap on fellas.
Hey Micah. About to post another thread in 10 minutes, with plenty of pictures of our adventure here.
I love watching elephant feet squish like plungers when they walk. Hope you love Chang Mai as much as I did!
Thank you! My first day was great! Off for two days of camping now. By the by, did you do the elephant trek and what does that encompass? I may not see your response for a couple of days, since I am leaving in a few hours. Take care . . . Steve
I didn’t do an elephant trek–just a regular one. However, we did ride an elephant for one quick part of our trek. I rode on the neck which was kind of exciting, although I do feel a bit bad for those poor elephants. Enjoy!
I just posted a thread about my elephant ride and the trek. I was disgusted at how the elephants were treated. I am sorry that I participated in that part of the trek.
coooeeee…..glad you’re having such an exciting time steve, I hope you remember every nuance of your adventures ! …maybe a book down the track ?.. Janie
Hi Janie, hope you are well. I will definitely remember my Thai mountain trek, which I just completed yesterday. It will join my Top Ten list of favorite night mares. LOL. Umm, no book in the future. I can’t write that well.