Just Another Night in Bangkok

Well our lives have returned to our normal busy schedules: work, eat, sleep, repeat.
We hadn't been out with our Canadian crew for a while, so Friday night after a hectic week we all met up at Woodstock's, a pub nearby that is owned by an American (the pub also sponsor’s Clem's hockey team). We enjoyed some Thai-style nachos: deep fried bread instead of chips, but the salsa was excellent, and some Happy Hour specials before heading off to find a new restaurant for some dinner.
We walked a little further up the Soi and found an interesting Thai restaurant that looked like it was in the middle of the jungle. It peaked our curiosity (or perhaps we were all starving) so we wandered in to find a table. The restaurant had a dark atmosphere and we were surrounded by a variety of live palm trees. The bar was made to look like a Tiki hut, and there was a lagoon with a fountain situated a good 10 feet below our table. I was seated next to the drop-off so I held on tight to my purse, 'cause there was no way I was going in that water after it! The mosquito coil under our table topped off our "authentic jungle dinner", although it didn't prevent Steph from being attacked! My trip to the bathroom was an adventure in itself: I asked our server where it was and he pointed down a dark wooden pathway. I followed the path into the darkness with leaves brushing against me on either side. I came to a fork in the path and looked around for some direction. Out of the darkness another server turned on his flashlight and pointed left. Walking a little further I was directed once again and finally found my way. The walk back to the table was much easier as my eyes had adjusted to the dim light by this point in time.
We ordered in Thai fashion, ordering a number of dishes and sharing them among us. The portions were pretty small, but the food was excellent. Plus, the margaritas and Mexican music (yes, we realize this doesn't really fit the Thai-jungle theme, but this is Bangkok, go with it!) brought us back to our Mayan Riviera days so we had a great time!
We weren't ready to call it a night, so after dinner we decided to check out a place that Ryan and Clem pass everyday on their way to work. The front entrance has a giant Zeus-like statue holding a beer in either hand, so we knew the "Coliseum Brew Arena" would be a spectacle to behold.
Steph and I grabbed a table while the boys made a quick detour home to drop off work bags and change (there was no air conditioning in the jungle). We were shown to a table overlooking a large stage in the middle of a massive room lined with tables, bars, lights, and lasers. The band on stage seemed pretty decent, but after their 5th mellow song in a row Steph and I became a little weary of the entertainment. The men showed up and ordered a Beer Tower, holding over 3L of Heineken - they were spoiled, as soon as their glass was under the halfway mark our server rushed over to refill their glass. Steph and I stuck with the coolers; it was just not a beer kinda night.
The entertainment livened up as the night continued, featuring lip synching and dance moves that rivals anything seen at Canada's Wonderland. Ryan said it reminded him of the shows in Mexico that are put on for tourists, but here the spectacle was for the locals (we were the only white people in the place!) As the music got more upbeat more and more people started to dance. However, instead of opening up a dance floor, everyone just pushed their chairs back and danced at their tables! We, of course, joined in!
Perhaps the strangest part of the night was when the guys left for the bathroom (yes I do realize this is the second time I have talked about the facilities). They came back and informed us that while they were doing their business some men approached them and tried to massage their shoulders!! Of course our guys were quick to recoil and say "no massage!" Steph and I went into ours wondering what we would find, but we only got a lady handing out toilet paper. That’s all right though; I think it would get a little crowded in the stall!
With a little liquid courage the guys headed back to the washroom with tip in hand for the complete "bathroom experience". One man came up to Ryan while he was at the urinal and began massaging his shoulders, and then continued to massage his upper arms joined by another man while Ry washed his hands. Clem got the bonus of a chin grab as the Thai man rubbed his goatee saying "so cute". We are not sure if he was talking about the goatee, or if he was propositioning him, but the guys were quick to tip the men and hurry back to our table. Their next trip they were once again forceful with their: "no massage".
After a night of crazy entertainment, exceptional service, dancing, drinks and shisha, we headed for home (but not before we took a Coliseum glass with us for a souvenir).
We started walking home, losing the slow pokes Clem and Steph on our way. We heard some strange singing and turned to see them S-L-O-W-L-Y pass us on motorcycle taxis waving and singing Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye! (It was about a five minute walk, so we let them have their glory!)
Ryan and I continued on our way enjoying the sights of Bangkok at night, when we saw an Elephant turn the corner and start walking down the sidewalk on the other side of the street! Had we not been on Sukhumvit (a crazy-busy main street) we would have crossed over to get a closer look and maybe feed him, but we opted out of car dodging and continued home.