Thailand

April 26th, 2011.
Well 80 hours in Thailand? Sure why not!
I was a little held up in Cambodia with an unknown “bug”, so this last week was a rushed one.
Thailand has many things to offer. It has a great culinary history and culture. It also has some of the best scenery anywhere. And if you get bored of either of these, it has also turned in to one big sweaty party too. Home of Bangkok, a party and food central of Thailand, the quiet northern countryside, famous beaches to the south, and islands with festivities like the famous all-night moon parties.
There is a lot to do here for sure. So why did I only go for three days? Well, I was not in the party mood, didn’t have time for long winded excursions to the countryside or the Islands to the south, and I was looking forward to some slow moving train travel… to be perfectly honest…
A couple days in Bangkok to savor the food, spicy Thai style, and then a slow journey south by train, with a few stops along the way.

So there is bad food here too… The main tourist street, Khao San Road, has some pretty shitty Chinese food for sure. I was so hungry when I arrived (from a long van ride from Ankgor Wat, extended by a flat tire…) that I went straight for a spring roll. It was flavorless and cold, except for a slight taste of not so fresh veggies. Needless to say it did not quench my hunger, and made me a little weary of which neighborhood I choose to eat in during my stay in Bangkok. Rule # 1…. Always avoid food when you see lots of WESTERNERS!!!!!! Why did I not follow the rule!!!! Its worth a walk down Khao San Road, but it does not take much to get away from the tourist trap and find some good food (and no tourists)….

I love it when i find random street grillers. From clay pots, metal cans, or even this, a bowl with charcoal on a plastic stool. It does not take much to have great food. Just some fresh ingredients, a little heat source, and some good attention.