Baaaangkok

Flew to Thailand yesterday morning. Was THE longest airport check-in/customs etc process we've had to go through in both airports! Took an expensive taxi to the backpacker area, Khao San Rd. Hotels, restaurants, shops EVERYWHERE. There's even a Burger King, McDonalds, and Subway.. no surprise really. We did our usual trick of Amiee sitting somewhere with our bags while Steve runs from hotel to hotel finding the best value room. This time I sat in a cafe and enjoyed a coffee shake (I was staaarving at that point). We then went and checked in to our room, and then went and ate some Pad Thai and fresh orange juice. I was feeling very sluggish and not at all well, which is unusual considering how much shopping there is to do here! I had to sit down on the gutter.. Steve suggested he take me back to the hotel, which turned out to be a good idea because as soon as I got into the bathroom I threw up my entire stomach contents. First time I've had food poisoning the entire trip and it happens within a couple of hours of getting into Thailand! Great. Felt a lot better afterwards though, had a bit of a nap and then went shopping :)

Shopping was exhausting due to the amount of failed haggling.. they try to charge ridiculous prices here for things, compared to what we've been paying for similar items in the rest of South East Asia. We're going to head to the big markets today and are hoping the prices might be a bit more reasonable. Thinking the prices on Khao San might be more expensive because it's so touristy. Had some encounters with some very unfriendly shop assistants yesterday, most notable was the guy running the bookshop we were browsing in. I saw a big book on 'Thai Architecture' and reached up and got it from the shelf to look at. He came over, took it out of my hands, showed me the price (RIDICULOUSLY overpriced at 1800 baht = $60AUD) and then put it back up on the shelf. Bastard. Not sure how he's expecting to sell it ever if he won't let anyone even look at it. Hmphf.

Had a quiet night reading books in our room, despite staying on a very rowdy party street. Was not up to going out after recent food poisoning! Spending the day in Bangkok today, and then flying to Phuket early tomorrow morning :)

Amiee x