Virgins in Bangkok

(Crappy Thai Airways with no individual screens so we had t keep ourselves occupied by reading Newspapers instead of watching movies!- Singapore Airlines still beats it all!)

So...we finally made it to Bang-kok! And what first mistake have we already made as "tourists-with-no-idea-in-Asia"?! We fell for the usual (and now obvious) trap of signing up for some supposedly "free" tour (the woman made up some bullshit about the tour agency being part of the hotel etc. etc. and all we had to pay was $USD8 per person for the city tax and we can have a tour free).

Of course, thinking we were so lucky (and so clever), we quickly found out from the hotel when we checked that (1) there is NO such as thing as a city tax and (2)the hotel is not associated with any tour agency. G.R.E.A.T.

Anyway, the tour turned out to be o....k....:

First: we had to pay additional for the entrance to the Grand Palace (THB 350=CHF 10 p/person)

Second: we had to go to some gem factory to look at 'precious stones' (the tour guide got very aggresive when I tried suggesting that we were not going to any shops or buy anything)...

and Thirdly: Go to a crappy tour agent (huge office, about 10 people, all sitting around scratching either their asses or noses) who was completely unmotivated to help us with any bookings apart from the one he suggested. He told us to go look on the internet instead.

and then lastly before we were set free: We had to the tour agent "one final favour" (she needs to prove that she brought her customers to these places, if not she gets in trouble, i think) - we had to go to a silk/suit making place - where, ok, we bought some silk for our wedding outfit in Malaysia...so that was ok, i guess. And we did get free beer and water there. Nice.

After all that, she was finally all nice to us again and even apologised for her behaviour earlier. Lesson learned? Always just say "no" to any "free" offer from anybody at any place (in Asia)!

So...the silver lining out of today's learning point? We went to apparently the best Pad Thai place in town - where the locals go to. It was pretty good Pad Thai, but I think the best one so far was the one we had in Koh Samui. :)

Oohhh...we forgot to mention, of course,..the HOTEL....! It's wonnnderrrrful! We were surprised by a nice little mango cake (or is it passion fruit - some yellow looking cake) for our honeymoon - which is very nice.

The bed is soooo comfortable - which is nice after the past MONTH of not having enough sleep. (Dont get us started on the bathroom... :))

Le Meridien Bangkok, where your dreams come true..

The Hotel is right around the corner from Patpong, the red light district of Bangkok which means u get hassled every 2 seconds by some tout asking if you want to see some "ping pong show", or shoved a list of all sorts of pu**y shows.

We also already had our first 'Tuk Tuk' experience...and lesson learned there? Bangkok air is smelly, Bangkok city is dirty, Bangkok traffic jam is HORRIBLE! And..Tuk-tuks are a great way to get around the city with if you like giving your heart some shocks now and then.

We are going to the Floating Market tomorrow (where we have to participate in further 'obligatory tours' to an Orchid Farm, Elephant Ride and probably some Gem Stone factory again). We will probably sample more of the local Pad Thai there tomorrow and give you our verdict!