Arriving at a surprisingly posh looking hotel in the centre of Bangkok, i paid the taxi driver far too many Baht, dropped my heavy back pack in the room allocated me and headed straight out to see what the city had to offer. I can not have been walking for more than two minutes when a man began talking to me, who i later realised worked for the notorious Tuk Tuk company. He began pointing at the city map i had, repeatedly saying i was very lucky, as it was a religious day. He gave me some information about how i should not miss visiting the three Buddhas saying they were open for viewing because it was the Monks day off- or at least that is my interpretation of a speech i only half understood. I did not really understand where he wanted me to go, despite his attempt to explain in detail where each of these things were on the map. I felt lost.
Feeling very confused i was given no time to work out my thoughts as almost immediately i heard a man cry “Tuk Tuk, you want Tuk, Tuk”. Looking around i saw he was now following me down the road and looking right in my direction. I glanced at the small, three wheeled vehicle, painted in a rainbow of colours. The man was hanging out the open sides waving his arm around trying to encourage me. I simply wanted to laugh. How could he possibly think i could take him seriously whilst he was sitting in such a ridiculous looking vehicle? Carrying on walking i tried to hide my amusement, whilst he repeated his question again “Tuk, Tuk, you want Tuk, Tuk”. From the determined look on his face i could tell he was serious. He wanted me to travel with him, yet he too could not help smile, as he acknowledged the confused look on this tourists face, even though, to him, this mode of transport was completely normal.
Quickly realising he was not going to let my custom go easily, i decided to throw myself into Thai culture and jump into this muliti-coloured source of amusement, with this comic man. Still unsure about what the first guy had tried to tell me, i decided to visit one of the spectacular temples i had read so much about. Attempting to show my driver the map, he nodded his head with agreement before, telling me once again about these three Buddhas. Seeing as this was the second time i had been recommended to visit these places i agreed. Well, i say i agreed, when in fact i had very little choice in the matter. The Thai man was already pulling out into about six heavy lanes of traffic, at as fast a speed as the little Tuk Tuk could manage. My interest now was to hang on to the open side of the vehicle, making sure my arms and legs remained firmly inside, so as to save them from a brutal mutilation from ridiculously close passing traffic.
Speeding diagonally across the busy road, dodging everything which seemed to be coming right towards us, we pulled to the side of the road and came to a halt. First stop- a jewellery shop. The man started saying something about fuel and tickets. When i remained seated he stated in quite a frustrated manner ” i help you, you help me….yes”. We both got out the vehicle and he shouted to his friend, while virtually pushing me up the stairs to go take a look around. Nervously looking round a dark shop, filled with jewellery of all sorts sparkling from every corner, underneath harsh, bright lights, i wondered what i was doing there. Feeling uncomfortable i turned round to find a lady, presumably the owner, following me with her eyes and an evil stare. Sternly she said if i was not interested in buying anything, i should leave, whilst virtually pushing me back out of the shop. Standing, once again, back outside in the sun, i didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. However, before i got the chance to do either, my driver finished talking with his friend and ushered me back into the Tuk Tuk.
Showing me the tickets in his hand, he explained further how he was able to get commission for fuel at each place he stopped. I now realised how important these detours were to him and was happy to go with the flow.Presumably the lady who i took to be the owner of the jewellery shop was far less passionate about this arrangement, as i can imagine not many tourists could afford what she was selling. Admittedly, the Thai Baht still confused me, however, i believe that like myself, most travellers would be put off by the numerous zeros on the price tags and i can only assume the Tuk Tuk drivers do not pull the same trick on the locals. Alternatively, the lady was just an unimpressed, bored shop assistant. I guess i will never know.
On we went. I was now beginning to enjoy the little Tuk Tuk and was filled with adrenaline every time we escaped being crushed underneath another vehicle. Coming to a halt the man pointed down a dark alley way and after walking in between two rows of very run down shacks crammed with large families i saw an amazing sight. An absolutely enormous golden Buddha towering above me. This was really spectacular and it took me a while to fully appreciate it’s astonishing proportions. Eventually i made my way back to greet my driver and thank him for his guidance, however, i was yet again rushed into the vehicle. On to the second Buddha, without time to waste. This time i viewed a massive stucture laying on is side. When i returned to meet my guide i was shocked to find he was not there and began to search around frantically because i had no idea where this place was exactly. All of a sudden another man pulled up beside me and ushered me into his little Tuk Tuk painted even more brightly then the first one. Not having any time to think i got in and later realised my first guide must have had another customer and asked his friend to look after me. Immediately we sped off and i came to the third and final sitting Buddha just as spectacular as the other two.
Feeling pleased with what i had seen i saw the Thai man once again and gave my thanks. The driver offered to take me somewhere else, however, i declined the offer despite having had so much fun. I was exhausted and did not feel like visiting another jewellery shop on my way home. Laying back on my hotel bed that night i smiled at the adventure i had just been on and how i had experienced Bangkok at its best, without even planning it. This was certainly a mad city and i could not wait for the rest of my trip.
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