Riverside

We are now riverside, in A guesthouse called New Siam Riverside. For 1190 baht or about $38 we get a standard room that includes breakfast. There are much nicer rooms, but its all we need. It is right on the Chao Phraya River, and the Pool and Outside Lounge area allows you to sit riverside and enjoy the view. More expensive rooms have views and even balconies. We watched a river parade this afternoon which was nice. The room comes equipped with a digital safe large enough to hold laptops. No wifi, but more internet cafes in this neighboorhood than you can even imagine.

We are very close to Khaosan, the backpacker ghetto. Plenty of backpackers, but plenty of middle aged people and families as well. Laundry here is 30baht per kilo, so we are excited. Massage is 180 baht, and we enjoyed a lovely indian meal this afternoon for 260 baht in the Khaosan neighbourhood. Its very relaxed over here, and very nice. Feels much more like vacationing. We met a Canadian couple named Randy and Leanne. We were trying to sell our Hong Kong Loney Planet book to a book vendor, and they offered us $10. We took it, and talked for a while. They have been travelling for a month now, and do so every two years or so. We got some excellent pointers, as they basically were on a similar itinerary. We also contacted our embassy, and let them know we are here, etc. We have to register online.

Khaosan is definately a party area. We looked at two other guesthouses, New Siam II and New Siam III. The Third new Siam is nice enough, simple, but they wanted 900 baht for it. This one, for the 300 baht more includes breakfast, pool and river view, so we took it. Number two looked grimy, and was 800 baht. Most of the guesthouses here look grimy. Oh well, back to having midrange standards, I guess. We have heard good things about D&D inn, might take a look there later.

The most spectacular thing about this neighboorhood, besides the plethora of vegetarian food and western sized clothing, is the proximity to the Wats, temples etc. The reclining buddah is within walking distance. We plan on doing all this tommorrow, perhaps via tuk tuk as that needs to be experienced as well.

Im going to hit an internet cafe, and then I think we are going to go to one of the many tourist bars in the area and try this thai whiskey you always hear about. I hope its not that bad.