Thailand!

I got on a plane today and 6hrs later, I was going through passport control in Bangkok. Last week I realized that I only have 8weeks left in Dubai and that started me thinking- what if?? I have been living by the motto of "no regrets" for a long time, abused it sometimes to validate ridiculous purchases, but this instance was one of real "no regrets" moments. I have never thought of going to this part of Asia, but then in Kuwait the operations manager was telling me how wonderful it is, and I had to go. I went home and every day looked at the airfare and hotels for 4 days, sometimes multiple times through the day, but every day I said "no, not going". Then I realized that if I don't go now, i'll never go. It was only 6hrs to get to Bangkok- I looked up how long it would take to get there from Columbus, and it would take 40hrs travel time!!!!! I'd have to fly Columbus to Denver, Denver to SanFran, SanFran to Tokyo, Tokyo to Bangkok, plus all the times for the layovers, and then the time changes... So when I realized that I hit the BUY button. Bangkok is another 3hrs earlier than Dubai, so when i arrived it was already 7pm and dark, so not much sight seeing on the plane as we landed. The airport was a breeze to navigate, everything is in English and passport control was only 5 minutes- no fee for the Visa on Arrival, and I was at the baggage racks in no time. Much to my shock as the driver opened the driver's side rear door for me- I was like "oh- this is how you do it here??" and I see the drivers seat moved up to the very front of the car- and I laughed- and thought "ha- they are tiny here, but that is ridic!" Then as I sat down I realized they drive on the other side of the road! LOL I was imagining this little guy sitting in front of me squished up against the steering wheel- ha, awe, I felt ignorant. It is an odd feeling sitting on the other side of the car, and having the "fast lane" be on the far right of the road- I don't think I have ever sat in a car that the driver was on the right side. My hotel is ok, it's my first time staying at an ALoft Hotel. It's in a busy part of town, lots of tourists. I didnt' see any westerners the whole drive into the Sukhumvet neighborhood, then we turn down the street of the hotel and they there were! It's like a ghetto of white westerners in this one little area. One the one hand, it's comforting, one the other- it's not "really" bangkok. All the restuarants are "Aussie Pub" "British Food" "German Beerhaus", and they go all they way down the street. Being that it was already so late, I just had a beer, and walked around the streets of the hotel. I'll head out tomorrow to see some of the historical sites and get to see the real Bangkok!!!