A Happy Bangkok New Year!

The next night on Lewis the Lion’s adventure was New Year’s Eve and he would be celebrating it in Bangkok, Thailand’s capital city. But first of all, he had to make sure that he would be able to go to the next and last country on his round-the-world trip: India. In order to go to India, Helen had to apply for a visa and submit her documents and passport into the Indian Embassy in Bangkok. They were very happy to have made it just in time on the last day before the bank holiday! Helen paid her fee and had to rush off to get more passport photos that were slightly larger than the average ones. For now, she could travel on a specially stamped photocopy of her passport but only here within Thailand. Relieved, they left the offices, knowing that they would be able to pick up her passport and visa when they returned to Bangkok after they had visited some of the Thai islands.

After having a very relaxing and lazy day, the friends got ready to go out and enjoy the New Year’s Eve party on the Khao San Road. This short street in central Bangkok is famous for its backpackers, restaurants and bars, internet cafes and bookshops, as well as tattoo and massage parlours. Lewis the Lion was surprised to see a whole row of people getting their feet massaged in a row right after midnight!

It was the perfect place to come and soak up th party atmosphere. Lewis, who was a little bit afraid of the loud noise of the fireworks that went off at midnight, hid in Helen’s bag and was happy to see the photographs afterwards. It was very busy, full of people having fun, dancing to the music that was being pumped out of many of the bars. Lewis couldn’t believe that even the internet cafe was still open after midnight but many travellers had gone into to Skype home to wish their families and loved ones a “Happy New Year!”

The good cheer out on the street was met with smells of food stalls and people selling party costumes and balloons. Lewis the Lion especially enjoyed seeing the special 2013 glasses that Helen and Sinead borrowed from some fellow revellers!

What a fun night it had been and on the way home Lewis the Lion realised that they must have been very close to the Grand Palace. As they caught a taxi home (this time with a map printed out in Thai!) they drove up a huge avenue that was elaborately decorated with coloured flags and pictures of the monarchy. What a beautiful city Bangkok was at night: it seemed to ooze with elegance (even if it didn’t always smell so good)!

Lewis the Lion reflected on the year that had come to an end, 2012 and the new year ahead, 2013. 2012 had been a simply extraordinary year for him, so full of excitement and adventure and he hoped that in 2013, he would have as much fun wherever he was in the world. One thing is for certain though: Lewis the Lion was grateful for his little life and realised how lucky he was to be on this incredible adventure with such good friends.

What were the highlights of 2012 for you? What are your hopes and dreams for 2013?

About Helen Molloy

Helen Molloy has been a Primary Learning and Teaching Consultant, leading on the introduction of Primary Languages in the City of Stoke-on-Trent for the past 5 and a half years. She is passionate about language learning and inspiring children into developing a curiosity and awareness of other people's languages and cultures.
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