There’s always some level of excitement going to another place that’s different from yours. Different cultures have their own appeal and wonders that could either awe us or frustrate us.

I landed around eight at Bangkok and it wasn’t particularly a smooth flight. There was turbulence a few times that made it difficult to sleep. I thought flying for 3 hours was bad but 4 hours was worse. I can not imagine flying with stops that would make me stay at an airport for longer than 6 hours. What I picked was the best option there was and I was so thankful that it was only 4 hours. I guess by time, I could fly longer hours but for now 4 hours is already a stretch and it’s already pretty long. I have to say my first impression of the land of smiles were mixed.

What I appreciated was that the immigration was very kind and there was no 300 Bath entry fee that I read on the news. When I slipped my money on the passport, the woman behind the counter just handed it to me. She stamped it very quickly without asking about my return flight and where I stayed or my jobs. It was unlike when I go through Indonesian immigration where the immigration officer asked me too many things. I was really nervous but eventually he stamped it. One of the conversation was like,

“ What blogs do you do?”
“ a travel blog” I replied and he sort of smiled. I guess that renders me from being suspected as a potential illegal migrant worker.

Then he stamped my renewed passport and it was my first time on this new one. But even after that the struggle just doesn’t stop. I had to change a few gates before eventually getting into the right one.

Fast forward when I landed in Bangkok and went through immigration, everything was smooth. But the next challenge was getting the cab. I heard many horror stories about the cab and that you only have to get into the cab that lets you turn the metre on. It was rush hour and getting a cab esp grab was a challenge. But eventually there was a pink taxi with a short-haired lady trying to get a passenger. There was a woman before me who got in then got out because I reckon the lady didn’t want to turn the metre on. But I was super beat and what could go wrong, right?

Everything I suppose? it leaves a bitter note but a damn lesson.

The lady wasn’t really nice. She randomly got angry because I was sitting in the middle and yelled at me. She sounded like cursing a few times and in the end, as the cherry on top, the fare was a bit too much compared to Grab.

She was also driving in the fast and furious style which is kinda funny because she was sort of furious.

Anyway, the only thing that mattered to me at the time was getting safely. So, I was turning my google map and then thankfully she drove to the destination. By now, it seems like every cab is just going straight fast and furious style. It's something I am not used to but I reckon, I kinda have to.

From the moment I am writing this, all this novelty seems like a GTA mission.

First, it was the cab, next was the BTS and MRT system, the other would be getting around places and next would be having some interaction with locals in Thai language. I guess you just have to follow this adventure to know if I unlocked all these missions.

One thing I notice is that Thai roads are pretty much similar to the Indonesian capital except I saw a lot of motorbike riders that didn't even wear helmets. They seem to have more BTS and sky train as well with quite a bit of complex system but way easier once I get the hang of it.

I started speaking a bit of simple phrases like khop khun ka and sawadee but when they started speaking more, I was lost and it’s revealed that I am not local though I look pretty much like everyone around here. I guess it’s sort of like a perk that I can blend in. But I guess I really have to learn more how to say some phrases. I look forward to checking out places around the city. I guess for now, I have to adjust with the schedule, new environment and everything. It’s going to take a while but I am going to take my time instead of rushing to places and eventually not enjoying the whole experience.

Read my first wandering tale The Journey Begins: A Wandering Tale Adventure!