First Stop Bangkok

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An excellent first leg with Qantas, complete with complimentary upgrade to Club because Nick's In Flight Entertainment box kept rebooting! (Have to remember that trick for the future!)

Staying at the Baan Chantra guesthouse on Sam Sen road. See www.baanchantra.com
Small, traditional wooden building with very friendly proprietress. She got the idea for the guest house after staying in british B&B's.
Quite close to both the river, and to Khao San rd (backpackers haven), convenient for Temples and Palaces! Supper at the river side with view of Rama 8 suspension bridge.

Sunday spent visiting temples and palaces. Lost count of the number of golden buddhas seen, but the reclining Buddha at Wat Po was certainly the largest. Our travel was either by express boat, Tuk Tuk or shank's pony. An exhausting day.

Monday (a religious holiday) - trip up river to Nonthaburi - visit to the amazing ship-shape Wat Chalaw at Bang Kluai. Back downriver for "tea" at the Oriental hotel - Authors Lounge, then outside to enjoy the superb river view and ambience of the outside dining area. See http://www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/
We'll have to stay here next-time!

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Photos

Baan Chantra
Margaret relaxes on the veranda

Club Class
Margaret rocks to the Soweto String Quartet

At the Royal Palace enclosure
Temples galore

Reclining Buddha
What big toes you have!