How to Balance the Baht for Breakfast, and Buri B&B

9:35 am Au Bon Pain J Avenue, Thonglor, Bangkok

So we made it to Thailand. The flight on AirAsia was just over 2 hours from Macau. When we got out to the taxi area, men were tyring to weasel us into very expensive taxis. 1200, 800baht. We had read previously, to ignore these guys, as we did, and go straight to the area marked public taxis. There, we told them where we were going, and they set us up with a driver. We paid 400baht, which equals to $13 and the drive took over 40 min in traffic. This country is immediately beautiful, although we have not seen much.

We got to our guesthouse, Buri B&B which is right on the corner of Sukhumvit and Thonglor (Sukhumvit 55). The BTS (skytrain) is litterally steps from our door. Its a pretty good location. It was hard to find, as the entrance is up a little alley, but we went to an internet cafe and checked the address again, which cost us 10baht for a 15min block (thats 33 cents). We found the address, and the owner was waiting outside, watching the street. He led us upstairs and we checked in. The guesthouse is wonderful. What a pleasent experience after Macau. I was so relieved. It is decorated in “thai style” and it is absolutely beautiful. They also have an internet cafe, a coffee shop and a book store right downstairs. Our room is number 13, again. We have a shared bathroom area with two showers and two toilets and three sinks, shared with 5 other rooms I believe, and It is very clean. There doesn't seem to be too many people staying with us at the moment, I have only seen one other guest, and one room with a light on last night. So it is very quiet and peaceful, private. The street noise might be an issue for some, but we brought earplugs, and after 3 years at Queen & Church, can sleep through anything. Our bed is King Sized, and nice and firm, the linens are spotless. There is a water dispenser, and Hot Boiled Water dispenser as well, with coffee cups and saucers for tea. It also has (thank goodness) air conditioning. This morning when we went downstairs, there was a breakfast area set up with a toaster and bread, Jams, butter, Coffee and Teas, and a sign that told us to help ourselves to breakfast at no charge. There is also a minibar in the room with water, coca cola and tsingtao for very reasonable prices. A bottle of water is 10baht or 33 cents. This place is truly a gem. They have a location in Changi-Mai as well. Oh the best part is the price. 500 baht a night, or $16.66.
So we went looking for dinner last night, and as we are in the Japanese and British neighboorhood there is mostly Japanese and Korean food, and a Tavern or two. We wanted Thai, so we walked up Thonglor past J-Avenue and Playground and found a thai restaurant with some English on the menu. It doesn't have an English name, but here is a photo. There were some Brits eating in there, and they looked pleased. At one point, the owner offered them Locusts to eat. They didn't offer us, thank goodness. We had a large bottle of Tsingtao Beer, Two Rice, One Squid with Lemongrass, One green Papaya Salad (Yum?) and One mixed Vegtables in Sauce. The Squid was an accident, we picked something at random and hoped for the best, but it wasn't bad. The Green Papaya Salad had shrimp and chilis and Lemongrass and it was byfar the most delicious Thai food I have Ever had. It was incredible. So delicious. The Bill came to 320Baht or $10.66.

After dinner we went to 7-11 and bought 2 bottles of water (large), two iced green teas, a yoghart and a packet of dehydrated strawberries for 97Baht or $3.23. This morning we went to Starbucks, where a coffee was 140Baht or $4.66. Not getting cheaper. We came to J-Avenue and found an Au Bon Pain, where we had a bagel, chocolate croissant, and two coffees for 202Baht or $6.70. Basically, our coffee shop excursions are the most expensive part of the trip.

Today we have to decide what to do. We are going to go shopping for a cell phone. We either are going to look for an apartment nearby, or stay at the guest house for a while longer and then move on to somewhere else. We will see what happens. We did however, find a legitiamate massage place where 90 minutes cost 200baht or $6.66, and a dentist where a cleaning runs from 800-1000baht or $26-$30. So those are both on the agenda.