Today we set out to get Vietnamese Visas – converted our rupees for USD then took a local bus to the embassy for 7 baht each (25c for over 15km) which was an experience - no aircon but the entertaining vagrants come free. Apparently Grahame was very lovable as one of them kept telling him that he loved him. After queuing at the embassy we were told that the Visa’s were 2700 Baht – about four times what the official website had stated. We argued along with the rest of the applicants, even talking to the consul general but to no avail- they were going to rip us all off equally. We didn’t have enough USD so we made a snap decision to skip Vietnam (we had already been there and it would give us more time in Cambodia and Laos). We decided to try and catch a movie and replace Grahame’s camera while we were in the area of huge shopping malls and movie theatres.
We nearly got scammed by a favorite ploy on the way to the mall but luckily cottoned on to the friendly local’s offer to take us to his ‘family travel agency’ to sort out our visa’s. Apparently once they get you into a ‘cheap tuk-tuk’ they then proceed to take you on a ‘shopping tour’ from which they get commissions and you rarely arrive at the intended destination. Spent the rest of the day checking out camera prices which were no cheaper than at home! Grahame drove the shop assistants crazy after deciding on one camera and then changing his mind after we had walked away having done all the warranty and tax refund paperwork. After the initial purchase he spied a camera on sale similar to the one that was damaged and of course he wanted that one as he had all the batteries, chargers etc. I also managed to score a neat and very cheap little waterproof camera while looking for a waterproof bag for Grahame’s camera. Altogether we were happy with our deals (and spent all our visa money!) but had spent so long mucking around we couldn’t get into a movie. We had pizza and then made our way back home after booking in for a tour the next day.
Hello Guesthouse, 147/5-6 Th.Kraisi, Bangkok 10200
(690 Baht w Air and hot water) Ph: 02-629-5770
0 comments:
Post a Comment