Phnom Penh And Bangkok Again

Upon returning to Phom Penh Cambodia from my temple trip in Siem Reap I spent the next few days relatively low key. Usually, I would meet up with my friend Alex by way of tuk tuk or more likely moto. The moto taxis are relatively exciting. Throughout my stay in Cambodia there was more then one occasion that hopping on the back of a motorcycle taxi with no helmet (and on a couple occasions, my large backpack) and zipping through traffic that seems utter chaos. At about 8pm the traffic lights are out so four-way intersections are a free-for-all where NOBODY stops. There were a couple times I just closed my eyes and hoped we would make it through. A special thanks to Alex and his friends for the evenings out.

After my journey to Cambodia, I stayed three more nights in Bangkok before catching a flight south to Sydney. Unfortunately, I spent those days still relatively under the weather from getting that chill from the bus air-con. Still, during those days I still managed to fit in some time lounging on Khao San Road, sitting on street-side restaurants watching the world pass, and managed to get some massages and catch up with Internet correspondence.

The last night I was able to meet up with my original tour guide Darius. The following morning we met for breakfast… my experience in Thailand ended as it began… as we sat down on a street-side restaurant in the morning for breakfast Darius promptly ordered two large beers… then two more… then after a brief stroll down Khao San Road two more. The last two were served as we each were getting foot massages!

I managed to make it to my plane on time but was suddenly aware of the only substance I had consumed that day. Thanks.

Three Days In Bangkok

My first day in Bangkok was rough, I was nursing the night before, most likely had some let-lag, and really hadn't slept for more then a few hours over the past 48.

I had a chance to meet the rest of the group and headed out for drinks on Khao San Road, a very popular walking street full of shops, bars and general nightlife. Other events over the next couple days included visiting temples, taking a longboat up the one of Bangkok's rivers, tuk tuk rides, relax with a massage, a trip to the Grande Palace... and then hopping on an old all-night train heading south.

On route to Thailand

In late January, within 24 hours of booking a flight from Toronto to Bangkok I found myself, once again, heading to a country on a flight that would be arriving late in the evening and without any accommodation booked.

There was a girl from the greater Toronto are sitting two seats over from me and during the flight I found out that she too was heading for Thailand for the fist time. She was to meet a guide at the airport that would be taking her (and a few others) on an eight day tour. When we landed she asked if I could help her find this individual and perhaps he could suggest a good place to stay.

We met up with her guide Darius and he offered to let me ride into the city with them to an area many backpackers stay near the popular Khao San Road area. During the taxi ride while he gave a brief into to Sarah about their itinerary they offered to let me stay at the hostel as Sarah had a reasonable size room with two beds. Later that night we met Darius for a few drinks... as the night progressed Sarah turned in but Darius and I kept ordering more. He mentioned that there would be five other girls joining the tour and that there was no guys... "Darrell, you've got to come with us.", he said. Eventually, as the sun was coming up and we had at least made it back to the hostel bar, Darius (while still on the bar stool) drifted to sleep. 3 hours later he knocked on the door to the room Sarah and I were staying and said, "Ya, I called the office this morning, you're on the tour with us."