We rode the wave of positive energy all the way back to Bangkok, now ready to explore the infamous city and its nightlife. There are a handful of places to check out at night when visiting Bangkok, but the most important of course, is Kho San Road. The road lies in the western portion of the city, appropriately enough, where all the westerners gather. The bright neon signs light up the slew of bars, hostels, backpackers, con-men, prostitutes, street vendors and performers. It is a travelers’ amusement park and entertainment epicenter; a place that will tempt your wildest fantasies and where anything goes. It is the eastern equivalent of Bourbon Street with, what seems like, far less rules and regulations… and a whole lot of energy. No doubt, a place we had to explore.
Kho San Road!
We booked a room at New Joes guesthouse, which is located in the back alleyway behind the Kho San. Moderately priced at about 350 baht for a double, with a friendly staff and all the amenities you’d need for a decent stay in the city including: on site travel agency, Thai message, restaurant and bar. Our friend Michael took massage classes here for a few hundred baht and in a week was a certified Thai masseuse.
Amazing Banana Roti!
After chow’n down on 30 baht pad Thai and comforting banana roti we sat down for a few beers in front of some kids break dancing in the street; our new friends Michael and Ron joining us. Our waitress was, how to put this, a pretty young man (ladyboy to be P.C). Despite what one might think about the confusing gender of this person, she was a good waitress and very polite (even when we stared a little).
Beer Tower with New Friends
Two beers quickly turned into four beers as we got to know Michael a little bit more. Our conversation flowed as he told us about his beat-boxing performances on Broadway in New York City. Frequent interruptions of women selling bits and bobs would otherwise been annoying, but we just chalked it up to the “Bangkok experience and laughed it off. The night ended shortly after our second tower of beer and we tucked in to bed dodging thoughts of bed bugs and concentrating on where we were leaving for the next morning… Angkor Wat!
Loving it!