Grasshoppers

How do you like yours cooked? Rare, perhaps medium or well done? Last night was Halloween and I was confronted with these choices. Pretend to eat them and, when no one is looking, ditch them. I hate that crunchy sound when their legs snap. Hint: Flush with lots of Thai beer.

The World's Biggest Jewelry Store

I'd heard so much about the quality of Burmese Rubies that I had to find out for myself. But I was in Bangkok, Thailand, home of the largest Jewelry Store in the World (so they claim).
I was politely informed that Thai Rubies were better in color and quality. Not being an expert, who was I to disagree. For me, they look great wherever they come from. Their website, however, does seem to acknowledge that Burmese Rubies are superior.

"The most valuable rubies come from Myanmar (formerly Burma), but they are mined throughout Southeast Asia. Good quality stones come from Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Kenya and Tanzania also are becoming more important as mining sources for ruby. But while the color of the stones from East Africa rivals the world's best rubies, most of these stones are fraught with inclusions that diminish their transparency and value. However, the East African stones are displayed to full advantage in cabochon cuts and have done well in the mass jewelry market. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia have all produced occasional top-quality rubies, but the rough terrain in these areas has made mining difficult."
http://www.gems-gallery.com/home/

Temples of Bangkok

A journey to the Traimitwitthayaram Temple will leave you in awe as you look upon the the Golden Buddha. More than 700 years old, it is made of pure gold and weighs approximately 5 tons. It represents all that is Buddhism and of course Thailand. Originally, the Golden Buddha was covered in plaster to foil enemy invaders. It was only in 1955, when the plaster covering broke, that the underlying gold was discovered. Now, it has been revealed for its spiritual, historical, artistic, and cultural value.
http://student.educ.umu.se/~maslun00/uit02h04/webbplats/tempel4.html

Bangkok's Super Mall - MBK Centre

I've seen malls worldwide, and worn out lots of shoes in the process, but MBK Bangkok is one of the best for variety and sheer number of stores-3000. You can expect hundreds of mobile phone stores in an indoor flea market to multi-level department stores. All of this covers seven floors which seem to stretch forever. Should an elephant step on your mobile phone, you're sure to find someone who can piece it all back together.
And every floor is jam packed with locals and tourists alike - always a good sign that you're in the right spot. Prices can usually be negotiated in the smaller stores.
http://www.mbk-center.com/en/index.asp

English Pub In Bangkok

Now I'm not known for frequenting ex pat bars or restaurants in exotic places, but The Pickled Liver British Pub and Restaurant was right next to where I was staying on Suk 11; so I was willing to make an exception. Run by an affable chap called Brian Walker from Wolverhampton, Brian told me me that he's been dishing out British nosh to ex pats and all comers for nine straight years... must be doing something right. http://thepickledliver.com/

The Full Thai Body Oil Massage

I thought by now that I should introduce some culture to this blog: Thai massage is embedded into Thai culture...right? So, I'm ushered into this very dimly lit cubicle, partitioned by pieces of cloth masquerading as curtains. I'm told to go full monty and await my fate. A lithe young Thai girl slithers onto the mattress and vigorously works on the lower back part of my legs. After all of my daily walking, the feeling is intense, and I start making strange growling sounds. I can hear some girls outside giggling and realise that they can also see me from a dome video right above the bed...so much for privacy. During the course of one hour, I'm elbowed, walked on, twisted, bent, sat on, pulled....well, you get the idea. Liberal amounts of tiger balm are applied to 99% of my body and I walk out of there $12 lighter and feeling like a million dollars.

Bangkok Babes Meet Their Match

Watch these short videos for an eye opening view of the "Thai Bride"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or5HBFCmnBc

What to do in Bangkok

Well, you could sit on a bar stool and drink beer until you fell off the stool ... saw it with my own bloodshot eyes. Sukhumvit Road/ Soi 4 has lots of bars where you can nurse a cool one and watch the show. Crusty old men, with weathered faces, walk hand- in- hand with Thai girls half their age...their outfits so tight that they must have been poured into them.
Try walking into "Pharaohs" or "Spankys" without getting hit on - not gonna happen. But there are other serious pursuits....such as the full Thai body massage. More about that later.

Ride the Skytrain

The Skytrain is not that extensive-it doesn't go to the new Airport (yet). But what it lacks in coverage, it makes up in speed, comfort (AC), price and cleanliness. A short ride (ten minutes) will cost about 20 US cents.

Chow time in Bangkok

If you go hungry in Bangkok, then you're probably stuck in your room watching TV, and soaking up the AC. The place is crawling with Thai, Indian, Chinese, Fast food joints. Expect to pay about $3 excluding drinks.

Bedtime in Bangkok

There comes a time when even the most intrepid traveller has to hit the sack.
You'll find most of the hot spots run parallel with the overhead "Skytrain"; more about Skytrain later. Depending on your budget and number of people, you can find guesthouses in Bangkok from $18 per night to $27 per night 600bt - 900bt. Or, if you plan to stay longer, you can find apartments for $200 per month. I chose the Sukhumvit Road Soi 11 area, located next to the Skytrain station "Nana".

Bangkok Foot Massage

I know, you've heard the stories, seen the TV clips, and wish you could've been here yourself. Never have I seen so many massage "joints" catering to an endless supply of unsupple clients. I average about 10 miles a day walking the cities I visit, so a foot massage really hit the spot. Reclined in a chair, my feet are first washed, then kneaded, pummeled, twisted, stretched, and oh yes, massaged. After an hour, I walked out of that place feeling like an Olympic pole vaulter ready to tackle new heights. And there was a bonus too (not what you're thinking), my head, arms, hands and shoulders were included for the princely sum of $7.50.
There's a strong possibility I may return.

Bangkok Beckons

Bangkok: lots of fresh water here...Iguana finally gets to shed some loose scales. As I approached BK from the ultra-modern airport, I thought, um mm-looks very much like Miami with multi colored hi-rise buildings, wide spotlessly clean boulevards canopied with banyan trees.
Best of all, my arrival wasn't marred by thousands of beggars constantly pawing and blocking my path. ; sidewalk sleepers were conspicuously absent also.

The starting point

Travelling to India is like going back in a time machine to the 1950's. You first notice the old decaying buildings which appear to have been untouched by paint since they were built. Original power and telephone lines straddle the neighborhoods like giant cobwebs. And clothes hang from every residential building. India is also a land of social and economic contrasts. New luxury cars zoom past countless people sleeping on the street at night.

If you like to be surrounded by thousands of people, you'll love India. If you're even slightly bothered by pollution, then you won't. Want an adrenaline rush, try crossing a major street in Mumbai. Despite the traffic chaos, there are few accidents because the locals are good at dodging each other.

You've survived the street, now you're ready for some "Indian food". All restaurants have menus in English and they're usually open until midnight. I went to the "Leapold Cafe" on Colaba and ordered Tandoori chicken with rice for one person. Two enormous plates emerged from the kitchen which would have been enough to feed four hungry diners, chased down with an equally large Kingfisher beer. This came to about $4. Fresh vegetables and exotic fruits are readily available.

After you've eaten, a browse through the street market will bring out the bargain hunter in you. When you're ready to get your email and internet fix in an A/C room, you'll see signs on most streets. One hour will set you back rs 20-40. Some also offer Skype when you have to see the other person or they have to see you.

Hotels are really quite interesting. Unless you're staying at an expensive one, they often present a challenge. I stayed at one in Pune about four hours bus ride from Mumbai, and had no water one day, and no hot water another day. Of course there wasn't any soap, towel or toilet paper either...picky, picky.

Mumbai India

Very shortly you'll hear about Ïguana's travels through India, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand. You'll read about the good, bad and sometimes the ugly. For example,
my hotel in Mumbai was Volga 11 but I renamed it vulgar too. So, fasten your seatbelts and enjoy
the ride.
Iguana