Advertisement
Published: April 21st 2010
Edit Blog Post
Tuk tuk madness
Traffic everywhere, we could be anywhere except for the heat and the tuk tuk!! It wasn’t long before the minivan pulled up outside the train station (near Surat Thani, I think). At the allotted time and after hooking up the engine, we were allowed to board the train for the 12 hour overnight run to Bangkok. We were a bit apprehensive after the uncomfortable night we had had the on the train from Singapore to KL. From the fluffy pillows, smartly dressed carriage staff, and the layout of the carriage, we could tell this would be a more enjoyable and comfortable trip. At a time of our choosing the carriage staff would come along, and offer to make the bed for you. Later I would spot one of them sleeping on piles of bagged linen, outside our carriage. The humbleness, service and professionalism of these people, is to be admired, and they are a credit to the railway company.
Before bed though we had a good chat with Andrew about work and life, and our trip together over the past two weeks. After he retired to bed, we had great fun talking with the guide “a” and Gavin. a began to tell us about how there were cocks in the third class carriage. Suffice
The Grand Palace
It really is grand, so might say exceptionally so to say myself and Gavin started giggling like kids! Of course we asked the usual questions like, What are they doing with their cocks and How do they fight with their cocks? What was brilliant was that a tried to answer each question seriously, but then a little grin would pass over him, as we started to laugh. It is probably one of those times, where you have to be there, but it was very very funny, and very very immature!!
So after we calmed down, we settled into our bunks, and thanks to a very comfy pillow drifted off to sleep. A comfy pillow cannot be underestimated; it really does make a big difference. The staff locked the carriage doors at each end for security making it cosier. Woke up every two hours or so, but got to sleep almost straight away, so was fine.
Next morning at 6am we departed from the train and into the back of an open top pick up truck to take us to the Royal Princess Hotel. Once our bags were stowed in the hotels concierge desk (we weren’t staying at this hotel), we had a rather expensive but very tasty
continental breakfast in the hotels restaurant. After eating our fill, a organised for us to ride in a convoy of 4 tuk tuks. I can see that from many other blogs, people always mention how brilliant they are, and I would love to disagree, but they really are awesome. We had a great time zipping through the streets of Bangkok on our way to our first destination of our Bangkok day tour, the Grand Palace. It opens at 8.30am, and as with most temples, conservative clothing is recommended. You can see the rooves of the palace over the high walls, and once inside the grounds there is straight away an atmosphere of not knowing where to go first or what to look at, there is just so much. Just as you think you’ve seen the most beautiful sight you are witness to another and then another. Ornate gold leaf statues, and buildings are dotted all over. We visited the Emerald Buddha (smaller than expected), but still very beautiful. For me, it was more special than the more famous Reclining Buddha. It was huge, and I wasn’t sure what to make of it really, but definitely worth seeing.
After looking
around the Grand Palace we headed over to Wat Arun, which consisted of a structure similar in look to that of Angkor Wat. Serious climb to the top of the structure in the heat, we were rewarded with a wonderful view over the city and river below.
After tiring ourselves out, we were glad that the next part of the tour involved sitting on a long tail boat, but for a leisurely cruise through the canals and waterways of Bangkok. The water winds its way around homes and bridges, and life continues on as we pass. We spot Monitor lizards skulking about, Houses gently sinking into the murky water, kids jumping and playing in the water while Souvenir and flower sellers approach by boat, to sell their wares. Large schools of Catfish can be spotted easily around the many small temples clambering over each other in the water to be fed.
We stopped near a water taxi stop, and walked through a kick boxing gym to the Khao San Road, to observe the crazy frenetic energy of this famous Backpacker street. Would have liked to stay on the street, but sadly we were booked into an anonymous hotel
Nice Building
The guards guarding this building were comical, they were not professional at the changing of the guard!! up near the Sukhumvit Road.
Went out later for dinner, and were rewarded with our first sighting of an elephant in Thailand, a land I always associate with Elephants. I never thought though that it would be in a street, in the middle of its capital city at night. Over a few drinks we talked and thought about the events of the last 2 weeks and the end of our Kumuka trip. It was an incredible trip, and gave us a great introduction to Asia and some wonderful people to share those memories with. Looking forward now to the next part of our holiday, a skip to Singapore and then on to Australia.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.047s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 8; qc: 24; dbt: 0.0271s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1mb