Tourist Ghettos From Around The World

Cheap accommodation, hawkers, Internet cafes, watering holes, food catering to Western palates (pancakes in Asia anyone?) are part of the ecosystem that make up the world’s tourist ghettos. Backpackers who take pride in traveling independently and tour groups, whom backpackers frown upon, inhabit these enclaves side by side and often eclipse the local population.

It seems appropriate to start with the mother of all tourist ghettos – Bangkok’s Khao San road.  Nothing says Thai culture like getting your hair braided or a henna tattoo (cough).

Thamel in Nepal’s Kathmandu is one of the elder tourist ghettos in Asia. It was a destination of choice for hippies during the Flower Power era.

Saigon’s Pham Ngu Lao neighborhood is walking distance to most of the major sites in District 1.

Like its Asian brethren Calle Santander, the main tourist drag in Panajachel located on the shores of Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, has all the trappings of a tourist ghetto.

It is only fair to include my own city. There is no such thing as cheap accommodation in New York City and it’s not exactly a backpacker haven. But Times Square and its surrounds is the epicenter of the tourist trade. In this scenario I do recommend pancakes at a diner for brunch if you want to eat like a local.   

How many tourist ghettos have you experienced or do you try and avoid them?  Is there a tourist ghetto where you live?

Traffic From Around The World

A holiday weekend, Independence Day, is approaching which means the exodus from the city will result in epic traffic. From a distance it can look beautiful in the right light.

The FDR will take you to several bridges that lead out of Manhattan.

This stretch of Nathan Road in Hong Kong is one of the most populated in the world and becomes a neon forest at night.

Mexico City is for car lovers. Its main arteries become parking lots during rush hour each day.

Bangkok also has the dubious distinction of having some of the worst traffic in the world, which is best viewed from above.
Do you time your day around traffic?

Street Scenes: Thailand’s Longest Road

Sukhumvit Road is the longest in Thailand. It runs about 400 kilometers from Bangkok to Trat, which is close to the Cambodian border.

Sukhumvit cuts through the center of modern Bangkok with numbered sois (streets) sprouting on each side. Pictured here is the perpetual traffic that clogs this major urban artery.

Street Scenes: Erawan Shrine Bangkok

There is something appealing about viewing the large cities of the world from above. In certain parts of Bangkok elevated walkways allow for a semi bird’s eye view and an easier way to navigate a city infamous for its traffic.

Pictured here nestled beside a hotel on a busy corner is the Erawan Shrine featuring the Hindu god of creation, Lord Brahma. I walked by it many times during my stay in Bangkok and stopped every time to take a look.

Asia Bound

I’m heading to Bangkok by way of Hong Kong tomorrow. I’ll be spending a day or two in Hong Kong on either side of a short trip- three full days- to Bangkok.

I used to travel to Hong Kong on business every year and haven’t been in almost four years. I’ve missed it. This will be my first trip to Bangkok.

As always I’ll have posts lined up while I’m away and plenty when I return.

Pictured above: Apartment block, Yaumatei, Hong Kong.