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The Bangers Routine

We just realised that we've now been to Bangkok six times this trip and have barely mentioned it on the blog, except for when we arrived. So... we thought before we fly out tomorrow we should tell you a bit about our Bangers routine. Because we use it as a stopover in between visiting more exotic locations, we never get up to too much when in Bangers, but there is a definite rhythm we've developed with the place. Each time we stay at Tavee Guesthouse, which is a bit out of the city in one of the quieter districts Te Wet (pronounced Tay Weeeeeet). Tavee has a resident dog called Do-do. The poor thing is a boy but the owners do his hair up in a pink bow. No wonder he's not very friendly. Across the road from Tavee is the BEST street stall you'll ever find. It's a pork noodle soup stall run by none other than "Noodle Man". He's our super hero. He's the cutest man you'll ever meet and the soup is the tastiest thing you'll ever eat. An awesome broth with noodles, pork pieces, pork dumplings and pork crackling. Mmmmm. He's a vital part of each day in Bangkok.

Around the corner from Tavee is a market you have to walk through to get to the river. Each time we walk through we have to bow our heads to avoid seeing the massive pig's heads staring at us from platters. We catch the ferry down the river to visit different parts of the city and often, while waiting for the boat, we feed the fish which jump out of the water in a crazy frenzy to reach the bread crusts. (See photo).

Whenever we're in Bangkok we try to catch up with Bol's cousin Chris, who indulges us in wine and takes us to extravagant places like the restaurant on the rooftop of a 64 floor building. We also sometimes head out to bars with mates, but to save money we often drink sitting at tables outside 7-11. That's right - unlike Australia the supermarkets sell beer. Very handy when on a budget.

As most of you would have heard, Bangkok is amazing for shopping and so we've spent a fair bit of time buying up winter clothes in preparation for Europe. As well as our backpacks which are now bulging at the seams, we've bought and filled a large suitcase. And when we're really in need of some modern comforts, there's a cinema in the city with $3 movie tickets. And the seats recline - now that's luxury backpacking!!

Home sweet home

Noodle Man. Ooohhhhh....

Noodle Man and his loyal subjects at his stall outside 7-11

The boys can't even wait for their chopsticks

Bol "pretends" to give Wayne a birthday kiss when noone is watching

Okay -- the boys made me put this on the blog cos they thought it was hilarious. Two seconds before the photo was taken I was patting a dog, but it was obviously camera shy, so instead I was left looking like an idiot in the middle of the footpath.