Ruby in the Sky

On the back of a scooter, with my bag between a stranger’s legs, I drive to Krabi Airport. Although I had a wonderful time in the North and South of Thailand, I’m glad to be going back to Bangkok. It almost feels like coming home. 

Whenever I come back to a place I’ve visited before, it’s almost always better. Instead of focusing on seeing all the sights (which, to be honest, I didn’t do to begin with), you can now focus on really knowing the place.

Past tense? Safe to say I feel like a true local when I get on the ferry for what seems like the umpteenth time. My aim for this second visit to Bangkok is truly to relax, now that all the initial impressions are out of the way. I go through the now quite familiar motions, getting from the ferry on the BTS, changing to the other line and getting of at Siam. Today I want to channel my inner expat and discover some good vegan food. So I walk the skywalk until I reach Mercury Ville, one of the less flashy shopping malls (by Thai standard, that is). This is the location of the first Veganerie, a vegan bakery chain scattered over the various malls around Siam.

The bakery is small and empty, but the aesthetic they’ve created is quite Western and peaceful. After I get over the initial shock of the prices (after eating <200 baht meals for almost 3 weeks, your standard definitely shifts), I order a satay wrap and a chocolate shake. What I get is actual food goals. Beautiful, delicious… All of a sudden the price makes a lot more sense. I indulge myself and bask in the glorious flavours (can you tell I’m enthusiastic about this place?), before I finally get to work.

Before too long I’ve finished editing my Ethics vs. Antics video and it’s time to head back to the hostel. Transport in Bangkok rush hour, like any big city, is hell, but I manage to get a seat on my ferry and enjoy the float (drive? ride?) home. I grab dinner at Ethos, a place I visited on my first few days in Bangkok as well. After that I head back to my hostel and eat my pumpkin pie (that I couldn’t resist taking from Veganerie) in silence and mild shame.

The next day is my last in Bangkok already. I never would’ve expected it when I first arrived, but I think I will miss this place. I walk to my favorite smoothie stand one last time, order a blueberry/banana smoothie and head to my little park spot to bid it adieu. The serenity of this place I will miss most of all.

Then it’s time for my final errand in Thailand: getting those drape joggers at Uniqlo! Yes, I’m well aware of the silliness of this action, but I’m in love and my parents approve (literally, I sent my mom a picture and she like them). So I get on the ferry, get on the BTS, get those pants at Siam and then head down to the food court in search of Siam Paragon’s local Veganerie. Yes, I am that obsessed with their food. Little did I know they could mean my downfall.

My search for delicious vegan food in the maze that is the lower ground food court, is unsuccessful for longer than anticipated. By the time I finally find it, I don’t have much time left to savour it: I eat my wrap, take my shake to go and bolt. Back on the BTS, back on the ferry, back to my hostel to pick up my bags and go.

I’m at the bus stop at the time I intended – without souvenirs, but at least I’m packed and ready to go. Except… the bus doesn’t show. I probably shouldn’t have expected it to, especially considering the time-sensitive nature of my destination, but it takes me unfortunately long to realize my error. I haul a cab, hoping it will get me to the airport on time. Many toll-roads and a few hundred baht later, the driver drops me off at departures. That is, domestic departures. With only 15 minutes left I frantically make my way across the airport, true rom-com style. Out of breath and with only 5 minutes to spare I manage to check in. I stress some more in the line for customs, but ultimately arrive at my gate 10 minutes before departure. As I vow never to do that again (not that I didn’t promise that to myself before), I board my plane. Time to go down under!

Have you ever (nearly) missed a flight?

Love, Ruby