Arrival in Bangkok

15 October 2008

This is the first of my blogs on Thailand. I arrived at Bangkok at 9:45pm, 90 minutes late, which was down to 17 passengers going missing at Heathrow. There is a lot to be said for the easyJet policy of being on time for your flight or missing it - no further comment!

After checking in at the hotel in the Silom district of the city where I enjoyed a much welcomed shower, off I went to investigate the nightlife and take in a beer or two. I was sat on the terrace of The Balcony, taking advantage of the all-night happy hour, when it started raining. I had, wisely it turned out, positioned myself under the blind right at back and next to the doors, then within minutes the rain had turned into a storm, thunder cracking violently overhead to the accompaniment of lighting. The road had become a fast flowing river, soaking the feet and ankles of people daring to step into it. Two English guys came by and seemed uncertain about pausing for a drink in their wet attire which clung to their skin, the bar staff in their persistent yet friendly manner enticed them in. It was time for my second pair of happy hour beers.

Steve and Colin arrived one day before having journeyed from England's jewel of the north, Manchester. They're on a two week holiday and their next destination is Phuket, which coincidentally is also mine. It didn't take the clock long to reach 2am by which time the storm had subsided and The Balcony was closing for the night. Wondering what to do next, one of the bar boys, by the name of Taem, offered to take us three Brits to a disco, two streets away. It cost 280 baht (£4.75) to get into the disco but for that I got two drinks vouchers which I exchanged for Whiskey and Cokes. The place was buzzing, go-go's on podiums and a surprise when I went to the toilet.

With four beers and a couple of whiskeys inside me, I was busting, suddenly I'm stood at the urinal and a pair of hands are on my shoulders, taken by surprise and yet not wanting to stop empting my bladder I remained still, the hands started to wander down my back on my neck, my head jerked and twisted and body pulled from side to side. I realised that I was receiving a taster into Thai Massage and quite enjoying it the fairly violent force of it.

At 4am I was invited to eat, so leaving the disco, Taem signalled a taxi and off we went to this restaurant which he recommended. On arrival I was told we would eat some chicken and rice. Taem duly placed the order and then proceeded to sing, we were in a karaoke restaurant. Looking around I watched customers take a break from their meal in order to sing, they all had good voices but the tunes were not exactly music to my ears, I hoped the food would be better. Our food duly arrived, the restaurant was dimly lit and I could not see it properly, this turned out to be just as well. Crunch, crunch – uh-oh seafood. What doesn't Peter do – seafood, what was Peter eating – seafood. What more, Peter, whilst finding it disturbing continued to eat seafood (though avoiding the crunchy stuff), probably out of politeness but it didn't taste that bad and I haven't come out in a funny rash either, okay so forget the psoriasis.

Thailand is going to have a profound effect on me, I can feel it deep down. I went to bed at 5:30am, ninety one days still to go. My journey is just starting...