Bangkok, Come See the Lucky Buddha

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Bangkok

Finally we are on our way, and welcome to the World of Johnny (see photo)
Just about survived our 11 hour flight from Heathrow to Bangkok. Eileen was sitting next to an Australian woman who wasn’t best pleased by the quality of in flight service, she told a flight attendant that “ your coffee sucks” and when partaking of a beer for breakfast, said to him, “ at least it isn’t F***ing Fosters’.

I’ ve read a lot of travel blogs over the last few months and for me, the most useful ones quote prices and describe favourite places and recommend accommodation, bars, and restaurants. So, I will try to do likewise.

At Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok we decided to take a public taxi to our hotel, but we first had to make our way through a cluster of touts offering taxis and accommodation. Politely refusing, we made our way down to the ground floor to the public taxi rank. The journey to the city cost 400 Baht. Our trip will be on a fairly tight budget, but we are celebrating our start in a swanky hotel for 3 nights. We have a fabulous suite on the 54th floor of the Lebua Hotel at State Tower. It is definitely downhill from now on. On our first night we toasted our forthcoming trip with a cocktail in the Sky Bar, which is in open air on the 63rd floor with, as you may imagine, fantastic views.

On Saturday, we did the usual touristy things. Firstly, we took a trip “Doon the Watter” on Chao Phraya river to the Grand Palace. Even here you have to avoid the touts before boarding the express boat. Everybody it seems want your money, either a private or a tourist boat, which you can use all day for 100 Baht, which sounds reasonable, but why not join the locals on the normal express service at 13 Baht a time.
On approaching the Golden Palace we were accosted once more by so called officials telling us it was closed until later, Buddhist holiday, come see the lucky Buddha, and other similar nonsense. “Give me strength”.
After the palace we walked to the Khoa San Rd, which is certainly backpacker land.
Had a beer, and watched all the biz.
Bangkok, or “Krung Thep” is a fascinating city, crowded, polluted, noisy, in fact, organized chaos, but great.
Last night we took the efficient Skytrain service to the Nana district, (35 Baht)

One Full day in Bangkok and the headcount is as follows, 3 Celtic Soccer Shirts and 2 Elephants.

J

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Photos

World of Johnny
Not Whickers but Johnnys

Our Hotel
The Lebua Hotel, the one with the dome on top,
seen from the river

Grand Palace
Golden Chedis

Sky Bar
Eileen on top of the world

Comments

[deleted_48497]

Looking Good
Have a Nice Days !