Bangkok

We took an overnight train from Arrau, Malaysia to Bangkok Thailand. The train was a second class sleeping car and it was really nice and comfortable. We were surprised to see only two cars trailing behind the engine. We thought there would be a food car but there was not. 

There was, however, a guy who, as soon as we boarded, asked us what we wanted for dinner. He said he was the only option and at the border, he would get out and cook our food for us. The prices were steep compared to everywhere else for what it was. It was 170-180 Thai baht for dinners. Alex got the Tom Yam soup for only 120 baht and it was amazing. It was a huge bowl, fresh with lots of seafood and a side of rice.  

Our train left at 5:30 and within a half hour we were at the border. We got off, went through customs and immigration and had 30-40 minutes to look around the station before the train left. We bought some snacks (including dried dates from Iran) and boarded the train to our food waiting. We sat in a booth that could've fit 4 until maybe 9:30 PM when they began converting the booths to bunk beds. Alex and I both had upper berths across from one another. The beds were comfortable and the train was much quieter and smoother than the train from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. We slept well and around 1 PM were at Bangkok central station (Hua Lamphong). A short cab ride later and we were at our really nice boutique hostel, Bed Station. 

The hostel is a one minute walk to the skyline and is in a pretty nice location. The beds are huge and comfortable with privacy curtains, plugs, big lockers and super nice showers (Alex showered in the men's shower by an accident and it was pretty entertaining). We may return to Bed Station for a few days at the end of our trip. 

You can't go wrong with 50 baht pad thai in Bangkok

First thing was first, we grabbed some pad thai near our place and headed to my tailor, Rajawongse Clothier, who I went to 10 years ago. I got fitted for a new suit and picked out a bunch of dress shirts. This place is legit and proper. The owners Jesse and son Victor do a phenomenal job and cater mostly to US government employees. Ever since George Bush ordered suits for his whole family, this has been the place to go for a suit in Bangkok (and possibly the world). Needless to say, I was incredibly excited to get back in there. The place is like a fraternity, with guys who share the bond asking each other when their first suit was, all while drinking complimentary Heineken. Everyone was happy to be there. 

Canal Boat Stop 

Victor and I celebrating new threads

Jesse is all class and runs the best tailor shop in Asia. If you are ever in Bangkok, check out Rajawongse Clothier.

After that we did a lot of walking and saw a bunch of shrines. We then headed to China town for dinner but everything was closed for a holiday. I had a second fitting that night at 8 pm anyway so we headed back that way. At Jesse and Victors, I tried on what was essentially a vest and the tailor took measurements and made marks. We later went to find some live music but the only place we could find was slightly out of our budget. So we ended up eating fried rice and drinking cheap beers in a parking lot slash temporary restaurant. 

Lumpini Park, Bangkok

Street carts I desire

The next morning Alex's best friend from life, Christina, arrived in Bangkok and was entering the hostel as Alex descended the stairs for breakfast. I hear it was a magical moment but I was still sleeping. That day we saw the reclining buddha and ate some delicious street pad thai for $1. We had a low key night and turned in. 

The kindness of Thais was everywhere. This young man, held up traffic while an older and less able man, slowly crossed the street. 

Transportation in Bangkok: pink taxis and tuk tuks. 

We then headed to the Chatuchak Weekend Market which claims to be the largest weekend market in the world. I do not doubt this claim at all. It was absolutely massive. There was far too much to see in a weekend although some of the vendors were a bit repetitive. However, the food was amazing and I finally found some high quality thai pillow cushions, triangle cushions, that I had been searching for. I made a note of it for when we return to Bangkok in two months for our flight home to the states. 

Meat on sticks at the Chatuchak Weekend Market

Daily dose of pad thai

Coconut ice cream at the Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok, Thailand

I brought home one of these 3 fold thai pillow cushions as my checked luggage.

The shipping for the cushions was more than the cushion itself. 

Everyone can dream

Amazing food truck pad thai for $1 right in front of our hostel

The next day we went to the Flower Market and the Emerald Palace. I then went back to my tailor for my third and final fitting. This was the day where you try on the finished pants and you watch him attach the sleeves on the jacket while its on you. I felt like ironman. I will pick up my new threads in two months when we return to Bangkok before our flight home. This is one excited, soon to be well dressed, man. 

Flower Market

Getting a trim in the shade during break

We then tried catching a mini bus to Koh Chang but we were too late. The port to Koh Chang closes at 7 PM and we wouldn't have made it until after 8 PM. So we had to take a bus to Trat, which is the city near the port to Koh Chang. Alex got pretty sick on this mini bus ride but she toughed it out like a champ. Four vomit bags later and we were in Trat where we randomly found a really nice guest house with delicious food. The room was 600 baht and probably the nicest rooms we stayed in during this trip. That night I saw lanterns in the sky that really threw me for a loop. 

The owner of the guest house was such a sweet woman who made a chicken noodle soup to nurse Alex back to health. She also booked us for the ferry the next day. At 9:20 am, we piled into the shuttle to the port. 

Next stop Koh Chang.