A long weekend is coming up. The last Thursday in June is a Muslim holiday and we get time off. While in Germany, we probably would have traveled off to South Tyrol for four days. But living in India, we now buzz off to Thailand. We couldn't have made a better decision. As beautiful as India is, it's good to get out and enjoy a different Asian flair.
Thursday the plane leaves already at 5:40 AM and so poor Pawan is ready for duty in the middle of the night at 3:00 AM. When we land in Bangkok a few hours later, we are somewhat rested. At the airport we quickly buy a SIM card - yes, it's that simple, India - then we take the train into town.
Our small hotel is located in Chinatown. Through winding alleys, past tempting cookshops and garages full of spare parts smelling of oil, we pull our small rolling suitcase. At the hotel we get a
friendly welcome and can check in right away. Our room on the fourth floor not only has a beautiful enchanted bathroom; we also have a great view of a Chinese tower across the river.
Our stomachs and Martin's excellent sense of good food lead us to a hip restaurant right on the riverbank. While we watch fish happily darting through the water, we enjoy curry and Pad Thai. The
start in Bangkok could not be better.
With a pleasantly full belly we continue. We walk along the street and get into conversation with a Thai who is sweeping a driveway. He has family living in Frankfurt, Germany and is happy to
meet us. He recommends us to visit a small monastery nearby, waves a tuktuk driver over, negotiates the price and off we go. At the temple meet the next Thai in a talking mood, he also has
acquaintances in Germany - in Darmstadt.
We let ourselves drift further trough the city and end up at a Thai massage. With strong grips feet and legs are kneaded. Because it is so pleasant, we also take the shoulder and neck massage
immeditaley afterwards.
In such a way relaxed we venture into the Iconsiam mall. A colorful market is set up on the first floor. There are lots of goodies, some for immediate consumption, some to take away; plus small
stores with clothes, jewelry and cosmetics. We buy some mango sticky rice and stand on the riverbank, watching the dinner boats that now pick up their guests at the pier in the evening.
We grab a tuktuk and drive through the night at breakneck speed. Stop and go at the traffic lights, exhaust fumes in the air - then we continue, the driver presses on the gas and bumps lift us
out of our seats. The wind hits our faces. After 45 minutes our heads are well blown and we get off at the rooftop bar Above Eleven.
"Above Eleven" is no lie we think, while the elevator takes us up to the 32nd floor. Once at the top, we first take a seat at the bar. We drink Pisco Sour (Chilean) and Gin Tonic, then we even
get a seat at the window. Whereby, actually the window is only a glass ballustrade, which goes up to the chest. I lean out, watch the small cars and even smaller people and enjoy the view over
the city. We order sushi and Mai Thai and let the evening end comfortably. Back to the hotel we take the metro.
Are you interested in more experiences? Then follow us to the endless tea fields of Darjeeling in the north of India.
Read the article Darjeeling: Black Tea and Green Mountains now
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