Bangkok

For me, Bangkok is a city both; love and hate.
Love; big city, lot’s of attractions, nice people, very good food on every corner of the street, so I like it when I am going to Bangkok.
Hate; traffic jam, pollution, and heath, to much people, noise, bad smell and all the negative aspect of a big city. So I am always happy when I can leave Bangkok.

The history of Bangkok goes back up till 1767, in the turmoil following on the Burmese invasion, the Thai general Taksin decided to establish his base in Bangkok. From that moment the expansion took place and today more than 16 million people live here. Originally it is called the city of angels; due to foreign traders (who were not able to pronounce the original name) the appellation was adjusted to Bangkok.

From my hotel to the monastery Yannawa a taxi is 140 baht, the same way back by boat on the river is 14 bath.
I saw people seeping on the street, the top end hotels charge for a room from $ 450,00 and on.
Have dinner on the street or night market is costing me 35 Baht, in a restaurant they will charge 1000 Baht or more and I doubt if the food will be better in the last ones.
Transport is a constant mess; the traffic jam in the Centre is famous, despite the extensive system of transport; metro, 3 levels of roads, water transport and a sky train.
On the road I see the busy life of a big city, a little bit further away I’ve seen the ancient, relaxed way of life of the Thai. The Thai are masters in a graceful appreciation of these contradictions.

I love the beautiful flowers; cultivated on the side of the road in baskets with water.
I like the river Mae Nam Chao Phraya; the longtail-boats with the spectacular presentation, the tugs slowly moving forward with their big tail of cargo vessels, the ferry unloading passengers and the copies of the traditional Chinese junks on the water.

I like the streets of Bangkok with all the activities; the (fresh) food offered on the street, hidden places where locals play chess together or read a book, monks passing by, people of different nationalities walking around, the temple where I can enter and have some rest, a queue of people waiting for the bus and motorcycles riding on the walking area during the traffic congestion.

To me Bangkok belongs to Thailand and of course it’s different with the rest of the country; the distinction is enormous. The attraction is in this contrast, which is much bigger than in western European cities as Paris and London

I like it too, after some days in Bangkok, having the possibility of going to the “countryside”.
But first I will attend the countdown and the New Years Eve activities. And last but not least, the 1st of January Mieke – my Dutch girl friend- is arriving here from Holland and we will later that day leave for Ranong and Ko Payam, in the Adaman Sea. I love the idea of seeing her back soon and I am looking forward to an excellent time together the next weeks.
Herman