Part 4_Arrival in Bangkok

Note — read previous three parts to understand why reaching Bangkok….finally… was a big deal!!

We arrived at Bangkok’s Mo Chit Bus Terminal around 7 am in the morning and it is a welcome but confusing site. It is not the easiest station to navigate but I eventually find my way to the much needed bathroom and coffee stand. After an hour long Thai ice tea break, I gather my things and try to find my way to the Mo Chit 2 metro train station on foot.

After trying to follow the directions I was given to the station, I end up having to hail a motorbike. I am tired and just want to get to the subway. As I get closer to the train station, I strangely become excited.

While I previously waxed poetically about taking the train between cities and countries, it was just as satisfying to take a subway again. I haven’t been on the subway since I was back home in the U.S in February of that year and it is a welcome site. It is so nice to be back in a big city and hop on a sleek air conditioned transport underground that can zap me around the city. Motorbike cabs and tuk tuks are now an option but NOT a necessity and I could not be happier.

It takes 30 minutes to reach Hua Lumphang train station, a 7 minute walk from my accomodations. This is also the main train station for Bangkok and where one would arrive and depart on international train trips such as the one I got punked out of.

Today is Saturday and what better way to enjoy my first weekend in this hot sprawling city than a trip to the beautiful and centralized Lumpini Park (as seen in the photo).

I went through the gauntlet reach Bangkok and soak up the historical metropolis for the next month. With a cup of fresh coconut water, I could happily say "Cheers to life, adventure and the protection of my ancestors on this journey"!