One Night in Bangkok....

Hey everyone!

So here it is, the city view of Bangkok from our 5 star hotel, The Berkeley, equipped with its own rooftop pool, gym, spa, and three restaurants for a mere $40 per night. The only view you would get for that money back home is an old buggers sweaty arse crack on the train to Glasgow and with that it you would still need to get a bus replacement service half way.

 

 

But here in Asia that kind of money means you are able to stay in luxury hotels with everything you need at your finger tips, yes I know this is not the backpack way of life and we were cheating slightly by staying here but after 3 days of traveling a good bed and a bath was truly needed. Also, my advice for anyone who is planning on visiting Bangkok on their travels, stay somewhere decent. Let’s just say at night, you couldn’t just nip to the shops for some munchies or take a stroll in the park. Bangkok is a pretty intimidating city, too busy, too smelly and too commercialised. Yes it has some amazing things to offer and if you had the money to stay somewhere amazing for a long period it would be a fun place to go but if you want to experience the real Thailand, I wouldn’t put this on top of your list.

One thing Bangkok had like any other place in Thailand is good food. Rustin and I have decided that in order to fully experience the culture of Asia we will not eat or drink any Westernised products. So with that in mind of course my first meal since arriving was none other than Pad Thai….

 

This meal reassured me that this challenge was going to be pretty dam easy. I basically feel that I am eating top of the ranch takeaways every meal. They even beat the 3n1 and Taj Mahal down Gourock! 
 

For us, we used Bangkok as the starting point of our trip. We flew into Bangkok, stayed one night then took the 12hour over night train to Chiang Mai. This cost us 1000 baht which is roughly $30 for a second class ticket. At first I was iffy and wanted to pay extra for a first class ticket as you get a private room however after experiencing it myself, second class is absolutely fine. You don’t feel worried about your belongings and the beds (made up from the chairs) are actually pretty dam comfy. It is a great way to travel and some of the views you see are beautiful. Just don’t get the seafood option for your dinner because it is absolutely bogging and you will be up all night thinking you are going to whitey at any given moment. 

After arriving in Chiang Mai we decided to get a taxi to our hostel. There were a flock of taxi men out front trying to persuade us to get in their taxi. I picked a wee cutie named Prapat who offered to be our tour guide while we stayed in Chiang Mai for a small price. This is a very common arrangement and I would recommend it (and Prapat if you can find him, so sad I didn't get a selfie) as everything worth seeing is a fair distance away. Prapat took us to the Aoi Garden Hostel which we paid $15 each for three nights. It was a great little place, very central, clean and always busy with fellow backpackers. 

Whilst in Chiang Mai we visited a number of temples, went on an elephant trek, bamboo rafting, visited the Tiger Kingdom and all the amazing night markets. We were even those ‘backpacking arseholes’ and bought some of those daft looking pants that look like you have ‘shat yersel’ according to my dad. I will tell you this but, they are the most comfortable item of clothing I have ever owned. Family & friends you now all know what you are getting for Christmas. You can thank me later.

Me being a wee 'gap yah' twat in my elephant pants! 

 

Globesquatting in the temple, as you do. 

We also went for a Thai massage, $6 for one full hour and you get an absolutely ridiculous outfit - which I was buzzing over. Luckily for me the women who was my masseuse was tiny because they literally stand all over you! I also never knew I was that flexible? It was quite painful but it felt so good. Reading this back it sounds like a porno, I swear it was just a regular massage. Not a 'special one'. Also if you have any strange birthmarks or moles, tell them prior. She tried to pull mine off thinking it was a bit of bloody chocolate. Okay it is hideous and looks a bit like a melted giant Cadbury chocolate button but Christ she was rough, (again not sexual).  

One thing I would say that you should probably give a miss in Chiang Mai is the Long Neck Hill Tribe visit. This was something I was so excited for but after going and seeing them watching a flat screen TV, drinking cans of coke and updating their status’s on Facebook on their smart phones, it is pretty clear that it is not legit and it really is a pile of nonsense. So aye,  save your 500 baht and avoid being the mug they hastag about on twitter later, #bunchofbawbagtourists #giveusyourcoinbruv #pureheavyowned.

 

However it does make for a good insta picture, #likesfordays 

Apart from that and the day I went to the mountain temple and was so hangover the only view I saw was the toilet bowl…..

 

 

Chiang Mai was an incredible place and I was sad to leave. It is remote enough to feel that you are experiencing the real Thailand but the variety of pubs and restaurants also allows you to meet fellow backpackers and have one too many Thai cocktails.

We now are starting our next journey to Laos our final destination being Luang  Prabang. A 7 hour mini bus followed by a two day slow boat trip. Canny bloody wait.

Oh I almost forgot the exciting bit, our Chiang Mai workouts!

Whilst we are away, Rustin and myself have created a '60 Day Shred Program'. All of the workouts last no longer than 45mins and require no equipment so no excuses! We are going to complete the program and then release it so if you are interested please let me know! For now here is an example of some of the stuff we have been doing.....

50 Burpees 
50 Push Ups
50 Jump Squats
50 Plyo Lunges
50 Leg Raises

Twice through and record your time. Give it a go and good luck!

Until next time!