Smell of the East
The most profound way in which Bangkok strikes you is the smell sense.
The combination of sewage, sweat, bar-b-qued reptiles (and mammals, and birds, and marine creatures, and vegetables), burnt oil (in which all the non-bar-b-qed food is being fried), beer, and all other odors that wash the street is just as immense and condensed as can be.
I checked a few of what Bangkok has to offer: the pineapples are still great (both fresh and as a shake), the Singha beer is still somewhat bitter, the one-hour Thai massage still costs 180 Batts (10Batt=1NIS) and it still hasn’t lost its capability to find in my body muscles that just weren’t there before it.
Regarding Cambodia: This is the dill: either a bus that costs 200Batts but is probably a nightmare that lasts for an entire day, or an airplane that costs 6000 Batts in every direction. My big pack will stay in Bangkok until I return from Cambodia, and I will only take my day-bag.
The bus leaves at 07:30. It is an airconditioned ‘VIP’ bus, but the ride is expected to last 10-12hours on poor roads (especially after the border cross). I will decide which way to take in the morning, when I see what hour I get up (I will finish packing for Angkor today before going to sleep).
That’s it for now - I’m going to explore the nightlife here at Khoa-san.
May 6th, 2005 at 20:32
Dear Elad
As one of the more prominent Thai doctors is here with me im Brussels, I have been told that on Wendsday ther is the king coronation day with a lovely parade that is worth watching= only you have to be ware of pickpockets!
Also she suggested to fly to Cambodia and not to take a bus,
Most important she gave me her phone and in case of any problem uoy can contact her at=
mobile no.-01 811 1741
home no.= 02 243 3578
If you call her (she is a real old lady) you have to introduce yourself as my son
So long and enjoy yourself
Aba