Bangkok.

The remainder of our time in Thailand was spent in Bangkok where we learned how to appreciate Hong Kong for its amazing public transportation system and city planning. I'm not an expert or a planner, but Bangkok is sort of spread out with a confusing way of managing density. We were told that tuk tuk and taxi were the most convenient way to get around. Although these modes of transport are plentiful you have to steel yourself against operators of such vehicles trying to test how stupid you are.

Make sure you look at maps of where you want to go so when the driver is telling you something is on the other side of town and you know very well it's about 10 blocks, you get a fair price. It became very apparent early on that we were huge targets for people trying to scam us. Attempts to persuade us into going to this "special" temple or a tut tut trying to negotiate dropping you off at their friends' place to shop along the way to your destination... all these things we found to be very very tiresome and annoying since it kept happening all the time.

I really missed taking my Octopus card in HK and paying the regulated fee (charged by zone, might I add) to go wherever I want, whenever I want, without having to barter for every kilometer I need to travel.

That being said, we got to experience the Chao Phraya river, were thoroughly impressed with the hard working showgirls at a Ladyboy show, and had several opportunities to see amazing Buddha statues. And not every tuk tuk driver we had was horrible. There was one in particular who drove against traffic twice and executed some impressive maneuvers without any of us being killed. That's saying something!

While we were still with our tour, we went to see the Four-Faced Buddha.



You bring incense and offerings in the form of flowers and garlands.



A lot of street-side stall are selling such things so you can grab one on your way in.



It was crowded and overflowing with people there to say their prayers.



Then, the Ladyboy show that night! It was a cabaret show featuring all male performers. I was totally impressed by the stamina and energy these ladies had, and I can't believe how they dance in crazy high heels. The make up was amazing and the narrator in between acts sounded exactly like George Takei.




Next day we were off in a tuk tuk. They're novel. The way they pollute the air though? Pretty nasty with these little vehicles spewing out clouds of black smoke as they come and go.



We took a boat up the river and had a nice look at local life on the banks.



There were little market boats with things to sell you.



And once we docked somewhere near the Grand Palace, we saw another man moving his market on wheels right through the traffic.



After navigating through throngs of people at the docks and through the streets, under a blazing sun, we finally found a quiet place to rest with a cross breeze, at Wat Pho Temple.



After wandering around the grounds for some time, contemplating this and that, we ended our stay at Wat Pho with the great reclining Buddha.



It is huge and marvelous.



Even the soles of its feet.



See?



I found Bangkok to be slightly inhospitable with the bartering and people trying to gouge you for money all the time because you're a tourist. Perhaps this isn't the same experience as others have had, since I know many people who have thoroughly enjoyed Bangkok very much. As big cities go, I would only recommend you set out on your own if you have some street smarts and a stomach for spotting scams. Having to be that on guard version of myself was exhausting and when we arrived back in HK I felt so incredibly happy and at home.



In an effort to counteract the vibe we got from Bangkok, we offered a bit of assistance to a fellow Canadian at the HK airport. Don spotted this guy in line with a hoodie from the U of A on it (University of Alberta). We quickly became acquainted, swapping travel stories and exchanging U of A information, and it turns out the guy didn't have a place to stay that night and was just flying by the seat of his pants. So we googled him a hostel with the iPad (near our own accommodations), and brought him into the city with us via the airport express train and then a transfer to a mini bus.

As we were looking at the building numbers on Argyle street, somewhat unsuccessful in our search for Dragon Hostel, a Chinese dude passing by asked us if we needed help. He then pulled up the address on his 3G (we were out of internet after we left the airport), helped us find the building because the signage was Chinese only, and even called up from the lobby to inquire about a room for this fellow Canadian that we had all only met that evening.

It was well past midnight after all was said and done. Although we were tired, after our time in Bangkok it felt fantastic to be able to be kind and help someone out. Just because.

Funny thing is this guy is moving to Belgravia for this next semester of school, and he will be living about 1 block away from us. Small world!