Bangkok, Thailand

After 11 hours in the air, we arrived at Bangkok airport. Stepping between the exit and into our air conditioned ride to the hotel, we felt a glimpse of the heat that was yet to come.

On the motorway into the city being on the other side of the world was starting to sink in. The driver could speak little English and we could speak no Thai.

Even the motorway was fascinating, with five or six lanes, no obvious inner or outer lanes, plenty of under taking and over taking. Riders on mopeds and motorbikes would be without leathers or helmets, pickup trucks would be carrying plenty of people just sat in the back. There was a strange calmness with no one using their horn. 

We could see a mix of tropical plants and trees amongst huge industrial billboards welcoming us to Bangkok and other corporate advertisements. We guessed we could see the skystrain, a recommended way to travel the city. 

Even with so many lanes, the traffic in Bangkok is more congested than anywhere else I have seen. At peak times you are will not be driving anywhere fast in a car. I can see the attraction of mopeds, motorbikes and motorbike taxis...

Approaching Bangkok was an unfamiliar sight, on the city edges sat below the view of the motorways were slums. In the distance and in complete contrast the high rise building of Bangkok could be seen. The company offices, luxurious hotels and recognisable logos. 

More so than other places we have visited, people in the city of Bangkok clearly want your custom and to make a living. Through food, services, x rated acts or trickery. Some of the experiences were straight out of the tourist information warnings about scams. It was impossible to explore the city without being approached or offered something. 

Usually I like to explore somewhere new by foot, but this is one hot place even in the rainy season. I have never praised air conditioning before, until Bangkok. From leaving an a/c hotel to the time it took to cross the road outside the hotel I would be sweating and reaching for a tissue to mop my head.

Even with only a few days and nights in this mega city there is so much I could choose to write about, so many new experiences and so many happy memories. 

Tips for Bangkok:
- Watch out for scams. Thai culture is friendly, but if someone approaches you in the street be wary. We were heading to the park, only to be told it was closed and then recommended other places
- Barter and agree prices with taxi drivers before setting off
- Use the skystrain to travel around the city, it has air con and will be quicker than a taxi
- 7/11 is the equivalent to a Spar shop, useful for supplies
- The Siam centre is a massive shopping centre with countless floors. It was a welcomed stopping point for air con and a really impressive food court on the lower floors. A food lovers heaven and reasonably priced