It has been already 2 months since I moved to
Bangkok.
It has been quick but also with lots of events.
Here is a flash back of the 2 months.
The month of April when I moved to Bangkok was the hottest time of the year in Thailand. The shift from 4-5 degrees in the UK to 35-38 (minimum 25-30) degrees was really big.
Fortunately my body did not react as badly as I expected to the change so I was really relieved (except some stomach problem in the first week).
The city of Bangkok is much much more developed than I expected. It was a culture shock in a sense...
You can find everything, especially Japanese products. I was so surprised of the strong influence of Japan in every aspect of Thai culture (language, products, food, etc.)
There are many Japanese people (residents or tourists) as well. Every time when I get on
BTS skytrain, I hear some Japanese.
The apartment we chose is a luxury piece. It has a gorgeous swimming pool, kid play rooms, gyms, pool table room and 2 high floor public floors for relaxing (facilities for BBQ, too!!!).
With such facilities, the rent cannot be cheap of course but still for such luxury, it is relatively cheap compared to any big cities. Besides, Ben and I both agreed that this 2 years might be the first and last time to live in such a nice place so the contract signed in a week of our arrival!
To cool down myself from the constant, I go to the lovely swimming pool almost every 2 days after work.
In terms of transport within the city, heavy traffic is the concern like many big cities.
In order to avoid it in my daily commute, I use only public transport: BTS and river boat. One of the reasons why we chose the apartment is also the place is close to a BTS station which is 2 stations away from the river. My office is along side of
Chao Phraya River. Although it takes 45-55 min in total to get to work, I enjoy the beautiful scenery everyday. Besides, it costs little (less than £1=about $1). Taxi in the city is also cheap unless the traffic is heavy (the meter starts from less than £1=about $1).
There are several popular touristic/historical places alongside of the river so I do sightseeing everyday.
Especially after sunset, the view is marvellous!
＠
Wat Arun
＠Another temple (I don't know the name but beautiful white!)
In the evening, there are numerous cruise boats with full of tourists under illumination.
In terms of work, it got started slowly. Maybe more in detail another time...
In April, I did a bit of sightseeing but as it was so hot, after only few hours of walking or sightseeing, I was so exhausted that I needed to go back home/to hotel to rest then get out again after sunset.
Between high-rise buildings and BTS (modern development), there are yet many traditional architectures and houses including colourful temples.
The first weekend after my arrival was the Thai New Year (buddhist calendar), called
Songkran. Water throwing is the traditional way of celebrating the new year. I was soaked by walking on the streets in Bangkok (you could say I was blessed in the culture properly lol).
I also visited one of the most famous temples,
Wat Pho, during the period to feel more traditional (quiet) ways of celebrating the new year.
Huge reclining Buddha inside
In Bankok, every single street is filled with street food venders. It is really difficult to walk around.
Every street has different smell, sound and atmosphere.
I regularly meet up with other
JPO colleagues who have been assigned in Bangkok around the same time.
In early May, one of them had his birthday. Upon his request, we organised his birthday party at my place.
Here is my first Japanese dishes in Bangkok: Rice noodle salad, seasoned pumpkins, tasty rice (soya based) and pork belly.
At the end of May, Ben came over to Bangkok again for a week during his half-term holiday.
We went to a small island, 4-5 hours from Bangkok. More on that in the next blog.
I am still adjusting to this big city life afte two months...I need to find my space and lifestyle.
Nevertheless, the life here as a foreigner is definitely confortable. I would even say better than Japan as so many local people can speak English and many basic services are available in English.
But I will still try to learn the language to better integrate in the society!
