Fly to Bangkok, visit Japan
After ten hours of restorative sleep and a buffet breakfast, we ventured forth in search of an ATM and a bit of shopping. We walked past the "mall behind the hotel" that the concierge suggested. It looked deserted, run down and uninviting. Wandering can feel futile however, there's so much to absorb in a foreign city.
First impression upon landing in a different country is all the different languages being spoken. Then there's facial differences. What we all seem to have in common is clothing, not much stands out anymore. Athletic wear is the chosen travel gear and cell phones are just an another limb we've all grown. Even bored street vendors, who in the past, would be luring you in to their shops, are now eyes glued to that multifunctional device.
Along the crowded sidewalks locals and visitors who jostle for space as humanity moves in all directions. There are pop-up "stores" where vendors have put tables displaying various items locals may want. There's what appears to be kimchi floating in red tinged liguid in baggies, sliced mangos in plastc to-go boxes, and other local food items. There are smells of vinegar, sweat and perfume habitually applied that mixes with diesel and gas fumes coming from the street that is crowded with motor bikes, old cars, taxis and trucks.
After much trial and error we get some local currency from a 7-11 ATM and find a place to get off the street to shop. 24 hours in Asia and I am already regretting the weight of my backpack. It is probably only 12-14 lbs but, when tired, it feels like 50lbs. I am in search of a little suitcase to hold my burden. We enter a warehouse-like building. Each stall is filled top to bottom with their chosen items to sell.
We find the suitcase guy immediately. He is so thrilled with his first sale of the day that he takes the money and touches it to many of the other pieces of luggage that he has left to sell. "He says that he is hoping for the good luck of many more customers. Unfortunately, this place seems devoid of shoppers and we soon tire of the blur of similar items poorly made.
The weather is lovely. It is 10 am and there's a light warm breeze but little humidity. We've only walked for an hour or so but we decide a nap is in order...it is amazing how jet lag grabs ones attention and changes the plans. It is important to travel with like-minded people and to be flexible.
At noon, revived, we set out in a different direction toward a shopping center we can see from our 23rd story room. Many reviews speak highly of the variety of stores and boast that it is one of the largest malls in the world. We are in search of lunch, perhaps something local.
On our walk there we found a sweet Indian couple who were headed in our direction. They are from Jaipur, a city on our itinerary. As we walked they told us of the many places we must see. Jaipur is known as the pink city but they said nearby there's the blue city and a white city all named by the color of the buildings. They were disappointed that we had only 10 days to see their country and warned "You'll be back" as there's so much more to see.
Outside the mall was a carefully curated and sanitized collection of street food vendors. While it all looked some what appetizing, fish, crab, oysters and shrimp sitting out in the heat of the day seemed risky. I wanted to find a indoor restaurant.
From the moment you step inside the doors of this massive multistoried building you are hit with the impression that this place is going to be wonderfully different and not disappointing. Fresh new styles of clothing is carefully displayed and draws you in to explore further. There's a whole table of Keen shoes in unusual styles, loud colors and shapes. Clothing right out of "Emily in Paris" come into view. Already we are having fun. But we are hungry and head up the escalator to where we are promised an array of restaurants. On the fifth floor we land solidly in JAPAN!
Dozens of Japanese restaurants and little booths are scattered as far as the eye can see. One popular sushi place has a one hour wait. We are tempted but hunger commands we find another less busy place. By chance we select a nearly vacant sushi restaurant and are seated in front of three chefs just waiting to delight us. I have eaten all over the world but I have never been so entertained nor have I eaten sushi so beautifully prepared.
Three artists select beautiful fresh salmon, eel, and tuna as their canvas and with a flick of a extremely sharp knife they slice it into thin pieces that drape like a cloak over rice. On another plate tiny squares of salmon are dressed with sauces. Each dish is painstakingly decorated with flowers and is almost too beautiful to eat. The flavors burst into a symphony on the taste buds that one never wants to end. We stuffed ourselves for not much more than fifty dollars and would have gladly paid more. We give this restaurant at least three Michelian stars!!
Fully sated, we began to wander to another floor to explore. I found a new travel pillow to replace the very worn, old one I've carried forever. More clothing enticed our senses due to unusual fabrics, textures and muted colors. But we decided to shop in a Japanese store called Muji. It reminds me of a combination of IKEA, H&M and Uniglo. We finished our day with Macha tea soft serve ice cream.
When we left the mall it was a lovely temperature outside with the setting sun dipping behind the tall buildings. We only visited one small portion of this mall which made us wonder what other countries were held inside that we failed to visit. I want to return with a nearly empty suitcase that holds just one change of clothing. Prices for quality goods are impressively affordable and there were things not found in the USA . Tomorrow we are off early for a flight on Air Asia and our next adventure. A catamaran awaits us in Phuket.
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