We're back in Thailand, last visited all too briefly at the end of May last year.

We're staying in the hugely varied area of Sukhumvit, and in line with the "local" approach we're trying to adopt (though not in a dogmatic or rigid way), we've been doing things that are within a walk or short ride from our hotel, the Padi Madi Guest House.

(And I'd really recommend this place. Part of our "sustainable OE" plan relies on paring down accommodation costs, and this choice has proved to be really good value for money. It's a fairly basic room, but it's a reasonable size, and everything functions just fine. I particularly like that we get a big fridge, and a chair and table. And there's a little roof space for guests to use. It's very conveniently situated (right by Thong Lo Sky Train station), and although you're certainly aware of the traffic on Sukhumvit Road, it's not disturbing. They also have a Tintin theme going on, which is very appropriate, as Uccle in Belgium, where the famous Tintin statue stands, figured in our very first trip together au continent. With Vladimir, our slightly-past-his-best Hillman Imp. But that's another story...)




We were surprised to find that the Thong Lo area is a real Little Tokyo, with Japanese places left, right, and centre.

But it's still definitively Thai. Shrines in the city... Those amazing Thai gates...





Not far away are several parks:













Two stops down the train line is Terminal 21. It's a mall, and there are plenty of those, of course. But with its destination-themed floors, it's at least a little innovative.


Then there's the food. But that will be another post...