Ants, Frogs, and Hooker Bars

I know that I have already posted a blog about our accommodation. However, it was early in our India travels and Thailand has opened up new frontiers in the pitfalls of the cheap hotel.

Rarely are we staying in places that we have a reservation. This is just not that kind of trip. Generally, we read about the accommodation in the Lonely Planet, have a place or two in mind, and then head there when we show up in a new city. Ian or I will stay with the bags while the other one goes to look at the room.

Each of us have a few things that we look for in a room that are essential - a bed, toilet, shower head, and sink. We both ask a few things of the proprietor as well - is there hot water, and is there electricity? Bonus items are a view, windows, a TV, fridge, a shower separate from the toilet room, bedding of any kind, and towels. However, Thailand has a few oddities about the accommodation, which reflect the cheap backpacker clientele that frequents these joints. Here are a few of the more bizarre things we have come across, that never occured to me to ask or look for:

- the presence or absence of a toilet tank - I need to write an entire blog dedicated to this. I could not believe the toilet situation could get worse after India, but it has. (multiple places)
- the presence of a loud hooker bar across the street (Ko Samui)
- a frog pond under the bungalow that sounds like a symphony of off-key oboes (Ko Tao)> I had to sleep with ear plugs in.
- beds that look like mattresses but feel like plywood (Ko Tao)
- Bollywood music being played in the hallway all night (Goa)
- using terry tablecloths blankets (Ayatthuya)
- ant swarms (every beach place)

Just thought you would appreciate the tip next time you are in the market for the $15 hotel in Thailand or India.

By the way, there are many new pics up today.

- Nisha