Oh the joys of transportation in Thailand. This is the third time writing this blog entry (as a side note, the Google Blogger app has some serious issues) so by this time it will likely be much shorter than when it was previously written. Upon our arrival into Bangkok and after a bit of confusion we were able to get direction from an information desk where to catch our hotel shuttle. It would turn out this was the most straight forward transportation of our entire trip and would unfortunately learn far too many times that transportation came with frustration and scams. Our first morning in Bangkok we were able to get a ride back to the airport and it was surprisingly easy to catch the Bangkok Sky Train directly from the airport to the middle of downtown, granted we had quite a bit of unrequested help provied by people throughout the airport. Once again we looked like dumbfound tourists. That being said, it was great to know people were willing to help. We made it to our hotel and off we went into the city.
The following day, we toured the Grand Palace which was spectacular. Absolutely beautiful and unlike anything we have seen. When we left, we were stopped by another well dressed and well spoken man. He offered us a Tuk Tuk and to see things many tourists don't get to. First scam. Thankfully we wasted little time and little money but by the end of the hour, I had enough. I may have been a bit rude to the driver, but our respect had lasted long enough and when we politely asked that we be done and to take us to our final spot, he refused and instead took us to the second "silk shop". We paid, said goodbye, and called a taxi to take us to the Sky Train.
Our second scammer found us at the train station looking hopelessly clueless again. This time a uniformed man who at first appearance seemed to work for the train station approached us. He told us the same information we had known- the train to Chiang Mai was currently under construction and we couldn't go by train, we must take a bus. We knew there was some truth to this since prior to leaving the U.S we received an email telling us of an alternate route. We must take a train, then finish route with a bus. Yet when we told a travel agency (another stop of the tuk tuk mentioned above) of our plans he said no, not safe, and that we would be met by gangsters. Although common sense told us this was a bit of an exaggeration, we were beginning to believe there was some truth to the difficulty in our route. Alas, we trusted the uniformed man. Until he took us down a dark ally and into another travel agency. Every instinct of unsafe, get out now hit us at once and we left immediately. For lack of a better description, the area was completely ghetto. And, to make matters worse as we left this travel agency the uniformed man who "helped" us was sneaking off into a trash filled ally. Oye ve. Yet another sign of the corruption in Thailand. We are certain this man would have been recieving some type of money from the agancy had we booked.
Back at our hotel, we booked flights and finally arrived safely in Chiang Mai. This city was a completely different experience. Prices were much cheaper, people could be trusted, we met our wonderful tour guide, and were greeted everywhere by welcoming locals. A teacher at a local Wat greeted us and although we were weary at first, he gave us information on where to go, how much to pay, and what to tell the Tuk Tuk without asking for anything in return. He was sincere and genuine and it was a welcomed experience.
In Chaing Mai, we were able to travel for half the day to see tigers, monkeys, and more (if we wished) for 300 Baht, round trip. In Phuket, this was very different. To travel one way, for fifteen minutes it was 400 Baht, no negotiations. Logic does not exist. We could walk half the distance and it would not reduce the price to 200 Baht, we still had to pay 400 because it was to a different city. Obviously my frustration and anger came to a tipping point- I let Danny handle this and stayed quiet.
Phuket was expensive and unsafe. On our shuttle ride from the airport, we met a couple from the Netherlands. They were traveling very much the same as we were, backpacking from place to place, not knowing where they were staying and going where they wanted. It was (oddly) a relief to hear they had experienced the same scams and issues we had.
Another man on this shuttle told DAnny that phuket was very unsafe, even more unsafe than BAngkok. He warned that I never go out alone, but Danny as well. He has seen many men get beat and told us to stay safe and smart. Fortunately, we never experienced any of this and felt quite safe the entire time. We stayed on well lit streets and followed other tourists and took advice from nobody but the hotel.
Now we are at the airport once again, waiting to get to Bangkok, and eventualy home. I couldn't be more ready for the conforts and conveniences of home, our house, our dog, and trust. Danny will be in Japan for two more weeks but fortunately Boeing will take care of him. After this experience, Japan seems like an entirely different world.
Safe Travels!
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