SE Asia: Bangkok

The road from Siam Reap back to the Thai border was pretty rough. Rough would actually be an understatement, if Bonds sponsored roads like that in Sydney, they would sell a hell of a lot more sports bras. Apparently the concept of finishing one part of the road before digging up another didn’t quite allow the Cambodian government to generate as much revenue, so they dig up the entire stretch, wait for the rainy season when the road is washed away, and then ask Thailand for more money to fix the road they originally paid for in the first place. Not stupid, those Khmers.

It was a long four hours, but once we hit the Thai border we were blessed with paved roads and less cows, and the remaining four hours went more smoothly. It was a bit sad to be back in Bangkok where we first started, going our separate ways. Tired from the bus ride, I had an early night and a few of us ended up treating ourselves to a traditional Thai massage the following morning before lunch on Khao San Road and a chilled out afternoon.

Not having seen the Grand Palace, museum and the temple of the Emerald Buddha (which is actually Jade, but green stone is green stone, right? And plus, Emerald has kind of a cool Wizard of Oz feel to it) I did the touristy thing the next morning, more out of obligation than anything, but the site was amazing and if you mentally blocked out the millions of Japanese tourists it was a great morning.

That day was pretty much the start of the Thai new year festival, ‘Songkran’, which is a water festival, so we head out that night to a bar Sakai knew in Silom to take part in the festivities.

Prepared with water pistols, we entered the street party, where bars had shut their doors, placed plastic around the furniture, and pumped the music into the street. Hoses were flowing with water in big garbage bins and everyone was dancing and trying to soak as many people as they could.

It was awesome, and we were soaked through in about 5 seconds flat. We took our positions and fought back – the kids were the worst culprits and it seemed the more little and innocent they looked, the more water they poured on you. We used buckets, hoses and our water pistols, aiming mostly for terrified tourists running down the street, and there was a point where buckets of flour and water were passed around to throw onto anyone close enough to aim at (mostly innocent looking children with massive water pistols).

The locals were really into the spirit of the new year, even out tuk-tuk driver provided us with water to fill the pistols on the way home so we could hit innocent bystanders on the street with shots of water.

It was the most awesome new year’s celebrations, and if Thailand should export one thing, it should be the water festival.

Well, maybe two things, because Tiger Balm rocks. It’s just not as fun.

-Sarah