I really wasn't sure what to expect coming to Thailand. I had my 20 year old memories of hating the heat, smog and hustle of Bangkok and the fond memories of quiet southern Thailand beaches and rural life of the north. Thailand has changed, but what it has to offer hasn't.
Bangkok has been pleasantly surprising. The hostels offer air con and heated showers(not that you need hot water here), the air is clearer, the people friendly, the sites still amazing and a general safe feeling (knowing of course that scamers are everywhere-but that seems true of everywhere anyone travels these days). Major changes in Bangkok- Khoa San Rd, the alternative and ultimate hippie hang out and hostel area has grown up/gentrified - For better or worse....it has a Starbucks. I think that says it all! Not quite so alternative anymore. Taxis are metered (good if you can get the driver to turn it on). There is a sky train. Road signs are in English and Thai (making finding your way around a lot easier). Travellers Cheques are passé. Travelers and tourists of all types are everywhere. Getting around is easy. Long distance buses are on time, comfy(relatively speaking) and easy to figure out.
In the south, the beaches are still amazing. The difference, they are far more built up. In fact the bungalows of days gone by were mostly wiped out by the tsunami and replaced with cottages out of our budget range. We, however, were able to find one beach not quite resort only and with a five minute walk one is able to leave the crowds behind. Tomorrow we head for a new area, the latest upcoming area, Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand, and we hope to get to it before it has really exploded. Fingers crossed.
The North will have to wait a few weeks, until we have been through Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Well, we hope Cambodia....we will wait to see what happens on the borders there. A bit volatile to say the least, but seems to be pretty local.
Bangkok has been pleasantly surprising. The hostels offer air con and heated showers(not that you need hot water here), the air is clearer, the people friendly, the sites still amazing and a general safe feeling (knowing of course that scamers are everywhere-but that seems true of everywhere anyone travels these days). Major changes in Bangkok- Khoa San Rd, the alternative and ultimate hippie hang out and hostel area has grown up/gentrified - For better or worse....it has a Starbucks. I think that says it all! Not quite so alternative anymore. Taxis are metered (good if you can get the driver to turn it on). There is a sky train. Road signs are in English and Thai (making finding your way around a lot easier). Travellers Cheques are passé. Travelers and tourists of all types are everywhere. Getting around is easy. Long distance buses are on time, comfy(relatively speaking) and easy to figure out.
In the south, the beaches are still amazing. The difference, they are far more built up. In fact the bungalows of days gone by were mostly wiped out by the tsunami and replaced with cottages out of our budget range. We, however, were able to find one beach not quite resort only and with a five minute walk one is able to leave the crowds behind. Tomorrow we head for a new area, the latest upcoming area, Koh Chang in the Gulf of Thailand, and we hope to get to it before it has really exploded. Fingers crossed.
The North will have to wait a few weeks, until we have been through Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. Well, we hope Cambodia....we will wait to see what happens on the borders there. A bit volatile to say the least, but seems to be pretty local.
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