Bangkok

"Same same, but different". That in a nutshell sums up my first few days in Bangkok. This is the 3rd or 4th time I visited here in the last 15 years. On the surface, it's the same place, with more veneer for those who can afford it. The BTS (SkyTrain) was now operational and I visited the new temple of capitalism, Siam Center.

A few days after I arrived here, Lizzy and Roel, who I'd first run into in Syria, arrived here as well. They had just shipped their Land Rover from Delhi to Perth and were spending a few days relaxing here. We hung out for 2 days and wandered through the city.

A boat ride along some of the tributaries to the main river in Bangkok revealed poverty and numerous hidden temples.

I stayed in "Mini House" guesthouse, inhabited by Andrew and Danny, two Brits I ran into in Pokhara, also on motorcycles, and a handful of "colorful" characters of various ilk. Despite all this, it was hard to leave Bangkok, even after satisfying a few shopping urges at Pantip Plaza, the Mecca of cheap electronics.

Cambodia is hours and a world away.