Bangkok by Bike!

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Its been difficult to drag the kids away from their 5 star experience into the noisy crowded streets of Bangkok, but we've managed some excursions in the mornings with the promise of afternoons by the pool. Yesterday we travelled by river taxi, the Chao Phraya Express, down to Todd's and my old backpacker stomping ground of Banglamphu. We shopped ('till Phoebe dropped!) on Khao San Rd and came away with plenty of clothes, jewellery and pirated DVDs before returning to the serenity of the hotel. After enjoying another night with our incredible pillows we set the alarm and had an early breakfast before we ventured out to the office of Grasshopper Adventure Tours where we'd booked the Half Day Historic Bangkok bike tour. Riding bikes with young children in the streets of Bangkok...you may think it sounds insane but the promise was 'cycle the quiet side of Bangkok'. We kitted up with excellent bikes and helmets, met our guide, Tammy, and pedalled off into the labyrinth of Bangkok's backroads and small laneways for a day discovering the real side of life in the old part of the city. We explored tiny metre wide lanes inhabited by families who live right on the river, stopped at ancient lesser known temples, and were even given an insight into the daily prayer ritual demonstrated by Tammy, including Jasper and Phoebe both shaking the fortune sticks to choose their numbers then have their fortunes read from tiny numbered notes in Thai script.
It was definitely scary at times...quite stressful in fact. Picture the scenario...riding behind little Phoebe who was pedalling energetically down alleyways and roads while narrowly dodging people, dogs, carts, motorbikes, tuk tuks, cars, buses...she somehow managed to survive the 15km, 4 hour journey, and we're so proud of both her and Jasper for once again showing us their courage and spirit of adventure, all the while with smiles on their faces and calling out Sawadee! to the many locals whose homes we passed through. It wasn't until we returned to the office that they told us Phoebe was the youngest person ever to have done the trip! It was an amazing day and we definitely earned our afternoon by the pool.

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Photos

Chao Phraya Express
On the way to Banglamphu

7 am
view from hotel room

Todd and his new best friend
In front of the last Lamphu Tree in Banglamphu

Busy Bangkok street
One of the streets we had to navigate

Spirit House with turtle pond
In the grounds of a small 300 y.o temple we stopped at on bicycle tour.

Jasper's new best friends
some Thai soldiers we meet along the way

Comments

[tilly]

the pillows
I remember those incredible pillows at the Sheraton! Please pack some with you and send them to London! xxxx

[Eloise]

mmmmmm beer
looks like heaven having a good time r we?????