Goodbye Blogs

GOODBYE Blogs

Siquijor
(Philippines)
Apr 2024

Chiang Mai
(Thailand)
Oct 2022

Nong Khai
(Thailand)
Jun 2020

Vientiane
(Laos)
Mar 2020

Chiang Mai
(Thailand)
Jan 2020

DaNang
(Vietnam)
Dec 2018

Bangkok
(Thailand)
Nov 2018

Bangkok
(Thailand)
Sep 2018

Dharamshala
(India)
Jul 2018

Kuantan
(Malaysia)
Apr 2018

Loboc, Bohol
(Philippines)
Mar 2018

Ubay, Bohol
(Philippines)
Dec 2017

Moalboal, Cebu
(Philippines)
Sep 2017

Apo Island, Negros
(Philippines)
Apr 2017

Camotes Island, Cebu
(Philippines)
Apr 2017

Siem Reap
(Cambodia)
Apr 2016

Plum Village
(Thailand)
Mar 2016

Manila
(Philippines)
Feb 2016

Cebu
(Philippines)
Dec 2015

CDO
(Philippines)
May 2013

30 Days - Goodbye Bangkok

Location : Bangkok, Thailand

Packing-up
Once again, my 30-day visa expires and I have to pack-up and bid my beloved Bangkok goodbye. Despite being here 6 times, Bangkok continues to engage and excite. I am still on a honeymoon stage with this wonderful place and its wonderful people. Its flavor is always different with every visit. This one is meaningful with all the turns and upsides. I love this particular mini-life.

Bangkok street food rules !!!

Freedom on the Bus
It was empowering to gain proficiency with the use of apps about the bus system in Bangkok. In my previous visits, before the advent of these apps, taking a bus was a Russian Roulette - no telling if you'll get lost or not. Now, with 3 apps - Via Bus, Maps.Me and Google Maps, I felt like I had wings! I could go out late and come home late knowing I could rely on the bus system.

NHK World Japan
For the most part, I was just in the hostel with my laptop work. For breaks, I would watch tv. But there is only 1 English channel at the hostel - NHK World Japan. They featured mostly Japanese culture. I have to admit I learned a lot about Japanese culture from that channel alone. But I requested the hostel to add more English channels. As good as sushi is, you don't want to have that all day 24/7.

Donation
Money-wise, the biggest impact was a donation offered by a friend whom I haven't seen in years. As a general rule, I don't accept donations because my poverty is by choice. But I knew it was false-pride. Finally, I came to terms with it. It was arrogance on my part to gracefully decline when I do my fair share of giving as well (and I do get offended when my goodwill is rejected for whatever reason). I put the money all into my online bank to fund my online purchases - which still left me cash-poor. But at least it got my online finances in the black again. I just found creative ways to convert them into usable cash like asking Chai to let me do her online purchases - and she pays me the cash equivalent.

I also made a little money from an ad-placement, so it wasn't a struggle this time. My mind was calm and collected for the most part of my stay unlike the last time in Bangkok when my mind raced continuously at breakneck speed. The only drawback was when I lost a third of my cash ($30) to Thai Immigration.

Dorm Room Life
For the last so many months, I had been living in collective dorm rooms. Sleep is always unpredictable. Sometimes, it's just me in the entire room. Other times, it's full with snorers creating their own symphony. Sometimes you get guys who answer their phones at 2am with the speaker-phone. Others loudly talk like they're in a bus station. Sometimes, I look for my indoor flip-flops only to find out someone used them. There would be groups where they think it's their private room and talk loudly and incessantly until the wee hours. In extreme cases, I call their attention to it. Mostly, I resign myself to my lot - it's a dorm room and anything goes. My construction ear-muff helps a lot.

EVENTS

Chatuchak Art
Since Chatuchak Market is walking distance from the hostel, I stroll around on lazy weekends. What I realized is that despite the number of times I'd been there thinking I've covered the entire space, I find myself in a new section completely unfamiliar to me. With this particular visit, my attention was taken to the art section. This 'fat man' art series was compelling. I should have taken this artist's name and coordinates, but forgot. My bad. But you can see his work at Chatuchak Weekend Market at the art section.

It reminded me of Botero - the Italian sculpture/painter who only sculpts/paints fat people. When Botero was asked why his work is consistently about fat people, his reply was, "fat? they're not fat!".

Sampeng Market
People default to Chatuchak Weekend Market for their flee-market indulgence, but there are many unsung flea markets perhaps with cheaper prices. One such was Sampeng Market near Chinatown. An afternoon stroll along the market was a visual spectacle given all the colorful offerings. It is less manicured than Chatuchak with narrow and crowded lanes. The merchandise were essentially the same. Cheaper? Not too sure. Perhaps for some items.

La Voce del Corpo by Luca Vullo
This is one of the free events posted on Facebook by the Italian Festival Thailand. Not really knowing what it was, I signed-up. The event was done at the Chulalongkorn University near the Siam mall area. The big campus expanse reminded me of my alma matter, the University of the Philippines. The event turned out to be a one-man show by Italian film director, Luca Vullo, who talked about the Italian tradition of communicating with body language - hand gestures, body movement, facial contortions, etc. It was funny, insightful and entertaining. It's amazing how Luca could hold the audience's attention for a full 90 minutes.

Leaving Adventure Hostel for Don Mueang Airport
I was told that right in front of Adventure Hostel is the air-conditioned A2 Airport Bus that takes me on the front door of the Don Mueang Airport for B30. Whoa! I boarded it and in 30 minutes, I was at the airport. This has got to be more painless airport trip I've had on a full luggage.

Early Bird
I arrived early. I usually do just in case there are delays. No telling - bus breakdown, currency need, check-in delay, Immigration detention, overweight luggage, etc. If nothing happens, I can always pay for an overpriced airport coffee for a comfortable table to do my online stuff. That's exactly what I did. Check-in (with web check-in) and boarding went smoothly.

Kick-in-the-Butt Send-off by Thai Immigration
It was almost a perfect 30-day mini-life, but a sneaky kick-in-the-butt came my way. I didn't see it coming as I was too close to leaving Thailand already. At the airport, Thai Immigration said I overstayed 2 days and charged me B1000! I pleaded leniency but to no avail. It wasn't entirely my fault. The date stamp on my passport was Nov 8 - they said it was Nov 6. I showed it to some people and they all said it wrote Nov 8. Immigration contented that I should have counted the days. I arrived Oct 8 and saw an exit date of Nov 8. Visually, it made sense to assume it accounted for 30 days. B1000 or $30 may just be a meal to some people, but to me, that was a full 1/3 of my cash! That radically changed everything for me. I know Immigration simply applied the law, but you can still apply the law with consideration to circumstances. I wasn't a repeat overstayer. It was an honest oversight. They didn't have to be too high-handed.

Ending Thoughts
Bangkok this time around offered a different flavor - like it always does. People came and went but some I'd like to keep within my energetic orbit. For abundance, I had a barter roof over my head at Adventure Hostel, barter resto deal for me and friends, and even got a spa deal that allowed me to say thank you to Eunice for all her kindness. Developing a website for Adventure Hostel kept me busy in a meaningful way - I learned new things as always. Altogether, it's been a beautiful 30-day life. Thank you Bangkok and thank you to all the wonderful people who made it happen !!!

--- TheLoneRider
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

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Next stop:

Revisiting DaNang, Vietnam

(Nov 8, 2018) Danang is bustling! I was here 2.5 years ago and what once were empty lots are now high-rise hotels, restaurants and cafes. It seems like a party town. It's energetic and with all the new establishments trying to get settled, I just might make a few bucks here.....more »»

30-Day Mini-life in Danang, Goodbye and Thank You

(Dec 8, 2018) It was an unpredictable 30 days that awaited me in Danang. With just $78 in cash, my mandate was to survive and later on thrive. After 2 weeks, my cash came down to $0.32 (and some loose Thai Baht) after 2 weeks - not even enough for a meal!....more »»

Bangkok Map

Bangkok, Thailand

HOTEL

Adventure Hostel Bangkok - N7 BTS train stop, dorm rooms, great for solo travelers, laundry, roof deck, entertainment center, kitchen, all-day tea-coffee, fridge, clean
1541 Phahonyothin Rd. Payathai

RESTAURANT

Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant - N7 BTS train stop, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, clean & hygienic, fresh green leafy vegetables
195 Soi Pradipat 19, Pradipat Road, Phayathai

SPA / WELLNESS

Bangkok Float Center - experience a surreal sensory immersion as you effortlessly float on 10 inches of water, 5-stars from 524 Tripadvisor reviews
99/6-9 SHOW DC Retail and Entertainment Mega Complex (4th Floor)

 GYM| YOGA

Now's Fitness Bangkok - gym equipment, yoga, Muay Thai, boxing, fitness trainer, cafe, healthy food
726 Soi On Nut 14 Rd, Khwaeng Suan Luang, Khet Suan Luang, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250

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