Sawadee

London!

I had a tour guide for the day in London. Harry gave me the whirl wind tour of central London and even took a couple of photos of me. I re saw the London eye, Big Ben and parliament buildings and also Buckingham palace, Hyde park, St Pauls Cathedral, Gallery (for the Van Gough), Globe theatre and Millennium bridge. That night I hit a few beers with the Sam’s at their local (the goat), needless to say I didn’t leave the house until the following afternoon for Camden markets (which, I found pretty cool I must admit, not matter how touristy). While in London I also put into practise subway etiquette until it become pretty second nature (I spent a hell of a lot of transport – it is damn expensive!). Although there was this one guy who just broke the code and stared for like an hour of my one and a half hour trip to Heathrow. It is very very easy to get around London and minus the grey and cold I really really loved London. Although they denied my beer at the supermarket when I went to buy some for Sam and his flat to say thanks for letting me stay.

The inlet at the hostel and the river/canal in the background

Right now I am sitting by the canal in Thailand at the hostel (Phiman waterview). I put off putting on insect repellent (again) and so have a few more bites for the collection. The view is really beautiful though and, even though it is loud at night (mainly due to the water pump) it is a lot more peaceful than the other hostels and guesthouses I checked out today around Khao San Road. Instead I woke this morning to some Thai music from somewhere nearby. It made me smile. Much nicer than waking to beeps and street nose. This is the high season too. So lots of accommodation is booked and the prices are generally higher. And back to cold showers. In addition there is a sort of a inlet thing of water right outside the dorm... I am sure the sewage runs straight into it. Welcome to Asia I guess (hence I am sitting away for the dorm and by the main river/canal).

I saw people having the skin eaten off their feet by little fish at the markets in Camden and tossed up at the time if I would shell out to do it too. In hindsight I am very pleased I didn’t, as they have it here too and I did it today. For those of you who don’t know, you put your feet into tanks full with all these little fish (for anytime from 15-30mins) and they eat away at the dead skin. It kind of feels like strong bubbles. Sort of tickly. I liked it and think it did a good job. Plan on getting it done again in a couple of days (sorry, no camera, so no photos).

I had my first lot of street Pad Thai.... it was so yummy. I also had some fried rice and veges – which was ok, just real spicy (but bland at the same time if that can possibly make any sense). Did a spot of shopping and made sure I stocked up on toilet paper (yay!). I am already sick of the non-flushing, non toilet paper thing.

It is smoggy in Bangkok. You notice it as soon as you can see outside (in my case as soon as I hit the taxi). I was pleased I knew not to pay too much to get to the hostel, as the first taxi offer was 700 (and I ended up paying 300). 

Off topic here: There was this guy from London at the Hostel in Rio who couldn’t use the can opener (In SA they had the old school ones which you lever).