I took a ridiculous Tuk-Tuk ride across town. After I walked for five hours yesterday in the blistering heat, I had no intention of walking home as well. The ride, driven by a hilarious Thai named Danat, was in a freaky little 3-wheeled vehicle run on a two stroke engine, steered with handle bars, accelerated with pedals. I sat in the back and held on for dear life as Danat wheeled us through narrow alleys to avoid the 6:00 traffic (and I thought Toronto traffic was bad!). At some points we were flying along wide avenues and careening around corners. I admit loved the temporary insanity of it and shot a great video.
Last night I walked around and saw the *extremely* seedy side of Bangkok. In my neighborhood there are a number of go-go bars which are actually just whore houses. Nasty trashy women assailed me as I passed each one and I found it so gross that my night walk around the city was cut short. First thing this morning I booked my flight to Koh Samui (then on to Koh Phan-gan) just to get me the hell out of here. Hoped to take the train but it is totally booked until May 12. I leave on a 7:00am flight, so I have to be up at 4:30am. This is not really a problem as I was wide awake by 5:30am this morning.
After booking the flight, I sat in a very nice cafe in the Arab district and smoked a sheesha pipe for an hour and wrote in my journal. Loved the bit of the middle east in the midst of Asian insanity.
Meeting Ryan and Eleanor tonight at their home. Should be a good time. I'll be sure to say hi to them from all the Gladmans...
Over and out,
R*