Our trip to China...DONE!!

Caught the bus for 33HKD each (£2.70) to the airport and took an Air Asia flight out of Hong Kong to Bangkok at 10.45am.
The views from the plane of Hong Kong and all the surrounding little islands were amazing. There's so many little islands and some bigger ones with quite high hills/mountains.
The flight with AirAsia was fine. It's just like Asia's version of Jet2 - had to pay for a coffee etc - only a £1 each though.
We'll just miss our Swedish friends, Johanna and Therese, as they will be arriving just outside Hong Kong today, to Shenzhen.

We arrived in Bangkok - my god, we thought it was humid in Hong Kong, but Bangkok is twice as humid. Trouble is, you have to get wrapped up for the flight because it's bloody freezing, then it's red hot when you get off the plane...good thing I have zip-off pants...
We caught the city line to the centre which was only 15 Baht each (30p)!! Love how cheap public transport is in Asia. Then caught a sky-train to near our guesthouse for 25 Baht each (50p) - was a bit odd because it isn't half as far but costs more.

Anyway, short walk to our hotel, which is tucked out of the way and not far from Patpong Area. Looked a bit dodgy to start with, but we found it and it's a little hidden gem! It's costing us 890 Baht per room per night (about £18.50) and it's well worth it! Nice little reception area and friendly staff. Free WiFi and PC, free tea, coffee and biscuits/chocolate, free water in room, big fridge, tv, huge bed, huge room and bathroom and very clean. It's called Sunflower Place in Silom. We've lived in a tiny cube the last 4 nights, so obviously this is luxury - the last place was still decent though.

I had a look for a recommended restaurant on Tripadvisor and found one that was nearby. Well, it seemed nearby - the map makes things look close, but it's really far...we spent one and a half hours looking for the stupid place. We asked for help a couple of times but nobody knew the restaurant. I walked into a hairdressing and beauty place and asked the "woman" on reception for help - "she" was really tall and looked like a rugby player. They were really helpful in there but still didn't know where it was - think it may be closed down.
We thought the roads were crazy in China...they are nothing compared to Bangkok. It's nuts, there's scooters everywhere, people can turn left on a red, and loads of traffic, but no green man to cross! You've just got to work out for yourself when to cross.
We gave in and headed back towards our hotel. Typical, we found somewhere to eat which was literally just around the corner from our hotel - there were some western folk eating there, so thought it was a good sign...
So glad we didn't find that place and ate here, the food was lovely. The kitchen was actually on the street corner. It was a small stand that had 3 sides with a wok on there and a woman just cooking everything from scratch (look out for the picture). We could see her adding everything like all the fresh vegetables and spices etc. We had spring rolls, 1 Thai red curry (risky, I know, but wasn't too hot), 2 jasmine rice and 2 bottles of large Chang beer...£7.50!! Bargain. The staff there were really nice as well. One of them even came over to show Therese how to use an ashtray - she was putting ash into it while it was upside down!

After eating, we went for a walk to Patpong Market. It's quite big and all kinds of things for sale, but we can't buy anything anyway really. Then we heard all the bars - didn't realise there were a load of bars too.
We walked out the top end of the market, and were immediately bombarded by people trying to take us to ping pong shows etc. They seemed to target me! Then we realized there were go-go bars everywhere.

We just found a normal bar and got some beers. It was nice to be able to sit outside at 10 at night and it still b really warm. It's a great bar for people watching! First trying to work out who was a girly-boy. Then Shaggy came on...I swear if it wasn't Shaggy, it was his brother! He was a really good singer. And whilst that was on, some guy was showing us the crappest magic trick I have ever seen. Just had money in two sides of a wallet and pretending it was coming through each side - I've seen better Paul Daniels tricks (legend).
Lots of White blokes with Thai brides - not that there's anything wrong with that, just be careful they haven't got dangleys.
Funny seeing the girly-boys. Arse implants, breast implants, trying to walk in high heels...

We had a wander and found another bar. It had a Manchester united game on so I was happy! They had a live band on too. I nearly got molested in the toilets though. I was stood at the urinal and could see a shadow getting closer and looked around to see someone trying to put a wet towel around my neck. I just waved my arm and said I was fine. When I finished, this guy was still standing there waiting for me to wash my hands, and then giving me the towel to wipe them. Gave him some change and got out of there!

The bar was really good and got busier and busier. There was a Thai Davey who kept serving us too (hope somebody who understands that is reading this...?). Got a picture with him, for proof!

I held off as long as i could, but needed a wee again. I walked into the toilets and there was another guy getting his back cracked and stuff - I thought if I was quick enough, I'd be left alone. No chance. I washed my hands and the guy gave me the towel, then he grabbed my neck - I just thought I'm going to go along with this. He twisted it one way, then the other - loads of cracking. The guy seemed to like putting me through that. Then he pulled my arm down one way to stretch me, then the other. Then he was stood behind me, he put his arms around mine and behind my neck then lifted me with his stomach to stretch the whole of my back - i caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror...i just thought what the hell is going on here! But it worked and my back really cracked. Strange experience in a toilet is that one. Left him a bit of change as a tip.

The next time I needed the toilet, I ran in and said no, no cracky and locked myself in the cubicle.

It got really busy an we got chatting with different people and had a really good time. There was one woman who got up dancing on the podium and it was like she was possessed - some really weird robot dancing going on. Got some video of that!
They kept repeating the same songs though, so we left there at about 1.30am & off we went to the go-go dancers! They were crap dancers (suppose men aren't used to dancing in high heels...) but it was 2 quid a bottle so it'll do. Funny how they keep checking themselves out in the mirror - don't worry love, you're still a bloke.
And then there's the ones that really are women - they're awful! Therese started clapping to a song & dancing so the girls tried to get her up, she kindly refused.
The go-go place finished at 2am so we went back to the bar with the band on - we had to sneak our beers in. We stayed in there until about 3.30am dancing and drinking, and getting pictures with random people!

So a very good first day/night in Bangkok...