Bangkok, Thailand – 22-24 March 2024

We land into Bangkok at 6.41pm on Friday 22 March 2024 (a good 15 minutes early). Maldivian time it’s 4.41pm. I have most definitely been traveling ALL day! I left the villa at 6.45am Maldivian time this morning.

So grateful for the APEC card, I only have a few minutes wait before getting though immigration. As I come down the stairs I see my suitcase on the baggage carousel. Very impressive!

Unfortunately my luck ends there - when I finally manage to order a Grab it’s 15 minutes away. Which turns into basically half an hour wait…….

Traffic is as expected on a Friday night in a major city. Ooh my! You wouldn’t want to be in a rush that’s for sure.

Turning into Sukhumvit 11 confirms I am absolutely no longer in the Maldives. There are people, cars and motorbikes everywhere.

Check-in is nice and easy. They have upgraded my room which is nice.

Food is needed and quickly! As I don’t fancy a seafood buffet I decide to head down the road for Mexican which I had quickly researched before leaving the room.

It’s extremely disturbing how many girls are standing out on the street - so very very sad.

Singha beer and tacos are ordered.

I had to keep reminding myself that I need to pay before leaving the restaurant, something I haven’t had to do for a week (everything was inclusive in the Maldives).

I wake just before 7.30am on Saturday 23 March - my weather app informs me it’s 27 degrees with 81% humidity. H O T!

I head out for a walk after 9am, probably a little late but better late than never!

I walk to and along the river for a while before returning to the streets. The city is slowly coming alive.

 

Breakfast is slow and relaxing. I choose a seat by the window and watch the world go by.  Monday morning is most definitely going to be a rude awakening!!

 

When I checked in last night the front desk employee had recommended a Thai place for dinner so I decide to go off search of that (so that I know where to go later on).

There are definitely more people out and about now than there was earlier.

And now for the pool.

Mid-afternoon I decide I have had enough pool time and head to the room.

Knowing where I’m heading for dinner means I look very so slightly less like a tourist and stops me looking at my phone on where I’m going. On arrival I’m told to sit at the counter - happily! The people watching is going to be great.

 

 

One mouthful of the green chicken curry confirms I’ve made the right decision.

Just before my food arrived the lady with the stall directly in front of me starts packing up. I was thinking it must be a day market stall only - nope! As soon as she walks away a man arrives with his cart and begins to set up.

The streets have got a lot busier when I head back to the hotel.

Sunday 24 March my alarm wakes me at 7.10am. I had been awake around 4am for a while - the street below was packed with people and taxis!

I drag myself out for a run - this time sticking to the river only.

There are a lot more people at breakfast this morning, then I realise I’m here an hour earlier than I was yesterday.

Breakfast is a quicker affair than yesterday.  I quickly change and head to the pool for my last swim of this holiday.

Check-out is super easy and thankfully my Grab is only 4 minutes away. I feel like I’ve been quite productive this morning and it’s only 11.15am. Amazing what happens when you get up early.

Murphy’s Law that there are no issues on the drive to the airport, check-in, security or immigration. Always the way when you have time!

And of course the flight is delayed…..the doors are closed a good 25 minutes after we were supposed to depart.

The captain announces the flight time is 2 hours and 5 minutes, and that we should make up time. Time will tell.

Bangkok, you have been a nice introduction back into normal life. Always a pleasure to visit. I’m sure I will return.