My most recent visit to Thailand was a refreshing one. Their Western city planning combined with their obsession with the Royal family is unique to South East Asia. Well, at least of the South East Asia I've seen.
We left Pursat around 10 am and arrived to Poipet, the border town between Cambodia and Thailand at around 1 pm. The immigration (surprisingly) only took 15 minutes for me and my 3 traveling companions. The difference was noticeable as soon as we crossed the border. We were in some serious [reverse] culture shock. Smooth paved roads, drivers who obey traffic laws, stop lights and stop signs, manicured lawns, high rise buildings, and 7-11 stores! It felt like I was back in the States. After an hour in Poipet, we drove another 4 hours to the port town of Ban Phe. We stayed one night in a sketchy motel and vowed never to stay in Ban Phe again! There were definitely some un-holy acts going on in the rooms next to ours...
We rose early the next morning and took the first ferry to Ko Samet, an island off of the Gulf of Thailand. Ko Samet is a quaint beach town full of local Thai vacationers as well as foreigners, so there was an interesting mix of people. We stayed at a placed called TubTim resort. It wasn't so much a resort, but a bunch of wooden cottages scattered over a beach. It was basic accomodation, a big queen sized bed and a bathroom. We did have a nice little porch, good for hanging out after a few beers. The highlight of Ko Samet was of course their beach. And everything you can find on their beach! There were people selling crepes, massages, manicures/pedicures, sarongs, bedspreads... anything you could possibly ever need. During the day we usually hung out on the beach for a few hours and then explored the rest of the island. The food, for a change, was delicious everywhere!
After two days though, we had enough of the beach and were ready for a nice, metropolitan city! We boarded a mini bus (when I say mini... there was barely enough room to sit up straight, most of the passengers had to slump for the entire ride!) and 5 hours later we were in Bangkok. In Bangkok we stayed at a place called Suk11 which was in an area called Sukhumvit. Sukhumvit is a nice area full of upscale apartment buildings and hotels. Luckily, Suk11 is a backpackers hostel and thus super affordable. Not only were there soft beds and comforters (a luxury in Pursat), there was HOT WATER. Showering was no longer a race to finish as quickly as possible, but 10 minutes of heaven. Okay, so I'm exaggerating a little bit...
We spent two days in Bangkok visiting different areas of the city, but not really sight seeing. It wouldn't be a complete farang (foreigner) visit without a stop at Ko San road. Ko San road is backpackersville in Bangkok. We got to Ko San road at 10:30 am on the first day and saw a people starting the party. Beer and loud music is a constant on Ko San road. We did find a nice spa that was really cheap! I got a manicure, facial, haircut, and my eyebrows waxed for under $20. Sweet! We also found a delicious Indian restaurant so we had a last minute diwali dinner of paratha and butter chicken. It was great. The second day we spent at the BMC and Siam Center. Both are these mega malls full of stores and vendors (like an indoor market). Siam Center had more western stores and restaurants. Anyone with a shopping habit should make it to Bangkok at least once in their lifetime.
Bangkok reminded me of Miami in every way except the pad thai sellers on the street. The high rise apartment buildings, trendy cafes on the corner, etc. I could definitely see myself living in Bangkok if there was an opportunity.
Returning to Pursat was nice because we could communicate more efficiently than we could in Thailand.
