Jam and Scam on a Tuktuk Ride

Bangkok seemed a bit busy, crowded and noisy at first, so we figured it might make sense to leave for an island adventure as soon as possible.

So, off we packed and headed to find some place to book the tickets from to Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Chiang Mai (white beaches, diving and Loy Karthong, respectively)

The journey took us toward Khao San Road.

 And after a lucky encounter with local Tuktuk driver (below), to a booking agency for the tickets. Most likely he got a commission for bringing in tourists - but that's all fine, as fit the plan nicely. 

Plus a really cheap ride there. 

After an exhaustive session with the sugar-hyper lady from the travel agency, we managed to book the whole trip, including accommodation and travel for the three weeks - probably for a premium, but to save us some hassle with negotiating the juggling act (particularly in terms of transportation).

The first departure was scheduled pretty tight for the very day we got the tickets, with four hours to spend in the city before our bus left. Instead of wandering around the city with our fabulous pocket sized guidebook, a present from T (and which turned out to be quite handy, especially in Chinatown night) we ended up spending the remainder caught in a well known Bangkok scam.

The first encounter was like directly from the guidebook - we first met a polite, nicely dressed gentleman and had a pleasant chat with him. Hearing that we had few hours to spend in the city, he just happened to know a good and cheap tuktuk driver to take us around sigh-seeing for the while - for just 40 THB (pretty much zero cost), with a short stop at a tailor shop. 

Alarms were on, but we decided to go for it - we hadn't yet been in one so might as well.

First stop at one of the city's many buddhist temples (Wats, many of them to come).

Met a nice engineer (no wonder he was nice) and had a relaxing, pleasant chat.

The next stop to a local tailor shop - wasn't too bad - they guys were polite and not pushy. Suits were also pretty decent - scandinavian / european fits.

After this, the driver got a bit more hungry (seeing viable prey), and insisted on another tailor shop visit, explaining that he'll get some gasoline if we stay for a few minutes to listen to the shop clerks. After some reassuring that we wouldn't have to buy anything, we set on the course - this is how the drive was supposed to be cheap, anyway. Fair deal. 

What the visit to this second shop turned into was an first introduction to an aspect of Thailand that we didn't really particularly care for.

The truth is that tailor shops come in all sizes in Thailand. There's so many that competition is fierce, and apparently the sales tactics can turn borderline criminal / physically threatening. That's exactly what happened in this particular tailor shop:

Just to cater to the wishes of the driver, we showed some cursory interest for the fabrics, and got an introduction into cashmere suits and their benefits, along with prices, choices and so on. Even after hinting that it's just for casual attire (in Australia men relatively seldom wear more than a shirt in IT jobs), they didn't really tailor their offering, but rather pushed for "How many suits do you want?"

After a short fitting and increasingly more explicit hints on no, we're not going to buy anything, the mood got threatening, with fear as a sales tactic. Too tight ship for any scandinavian to buy from, definitely. These guys should start listening to their customers if they want to sell anything :) 

Well, to new adventures anyway (with more gas to spend :)

How do you like them apples?

We landed the next spot on the tour (a pretty nice temple). Just for a while - clock was already ticking to return to the bus.

Temples bathing in the sun.

Zen walks for hipsters

Thai Moomin house.

And the most exciting part of the temple visit - you can read it on J's face here.

What was waiting for us at the gates:

nothing.

No driver. No tuk tuk.

And soon no bus.

Well, no payment as well (he lost his 40 Baht for no show)

Well, that's a good lesson to begin with.

Don't trust a driver who offers you 1/10 of a market price.

At least if you're pressed for time.

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Well, we made it to the bus in time, and set on a journey through the dark Bangkok night, more prepared to face the cunning nature of Thai street hustlers. Again, a valuable lesson at this point. Scams are a daily occurence and they take many forms in Bangkok and the touristy spots - Be about your wits!

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And as a comic relief - the best lunch ever on a tourist bus from Bangkok to Koh Samui:

All in all - it's been pretty sweet.

One night in Bangkok

Bangkok - landed in Chinatown, into the Nice Shanghai Mansion.

The evening in pictures:

( Breakfast almost ready for serving )

( The room )

( Yep, the shower had a bird cage )

( First things first - gotta find food )

( No fancy restaurants, cheap and definite salmonella on the back alleys )

( If still hungry, just grab a kitten )

( Seriously, there's so many around )

( And more )

Now, what would you do tired in the middle of the night in bangkok?

( Visit a temple + partyboat combo )

( Level 2 : visit a local offering flower market at night )

( Sounds like a plan )

( I guess it's not the most exciting job in the world )

( And there's plenty of options + supply )

Might as well wander around through an unknown street in the middle of the night.

( Just don't do it alone )

( And hug a fire hydrant )

( And if desperate, find something familiar )

Bang Bang to Bangkok

The trip to Bangkok took over 22 hours, three flights and four airports. Trying to sleep and stay awake. Looking forward to the adventure and still already missing our people. HKI - AMS - KUL - BKK.

Helsinki in its early morning mist was left behind. Three hours of sleep later the first pit stop was Amsterdam and the rather cool Schipol airport. Couple of hours waiting was like breeze thanks to the built-in distractions, Bols drinkomat, wild, neon-decorated lounges and hard decisions on which movies to watch in the upcoming, long flight.

( Bols drinkomat with a young British bartender accent )

( Lounges with enough neon lights to scare Daft Punk away )

And the longest flight was the second one. 11 hours. How to survive?

• Prepare and be tired when boarding a long flight. Sleeping is a good way to spend a flight.
• Have something to do. Movies or book may make the time fly faster than the plane. 
• Move every once in a while. Sitting makes you numb.
• Enjoy the ride.

We arrived to Kuala Lumpur just to see the sun rising. Airport was clean and tidy, but waiting was all about trying to stay awake. Thanks to A&T and their farewell goodies, we managed to pull it off!

( Good morning sunshine and stardust - KUL international )

( Catch me if you can )

( Goodies to save the day )

From Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok we took skytrain to Phaya Thai, station nearest the central Bangkok. First touch to bahts - ride cost 150 THB per person. M had already booked a place to stay for the first night and we grabbed a taxi (metered one) to Chinatown. 

Finally there - in the dirty, busy Bangkok.

Long Trip Ahead

Last week in Finland was all hustle and bustle. All the last minute tasks, packing our Helsinki home into cardboard boxes (all essentials in backpacks) and moving. All in all, a tough juggling act, but we managed to keep things moving while squeezing in time with friends and family, in three cities (Nurmo, Tampere and Helsinki) on the final weeks.

We managed to redecorate the basement of Jaanas folk's place in a rather familiar manner (see pic below)

( They're lovin it )

Also, we got some help for navigating our way down under from a pro:

( The earth is more fun when you hold it sideways, you know )

Finally, after a sleepless night in Helsinki ( to prepare for the long flights ahead), we headed out to the rainy night to catch a bus to the airport. 

One important lesson learned ( or achievement unlocked) - this time we were at airport in time. Actually we had plenty of time to spend in empty airport, eat some breakfast and wonder why Hattivattis have green shiny eyes. Menacing enough to scare people away.

Excited, tired and happy - here we go!