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Published: October 11th 2006
McDonalds. Bangkok
Ronald McDonald welcomes us....but we declinedOur journey began a week late - thanks to a coup in Bangkok! What timing! So, after officially the most tearful farewell that Auckland airport has ever seen, we couldn't have anticipated what we were about to be thrown into.
Bangkok. The beautiful mess that it is, was laid out before us in all it's glory. They say that this place is one of the most ecclectic one will ever come across, and ecclectic doesn't even start to explain it. Ancient temples rise in the shadow of space-age shopping malls, soaring skyscrapers tower over tumbleweed hovels, cafes and restaurants are surrounded by simple street stalls. Bangkok is an interchange of the past, present and future, and eye opener for any new traveller.
We did manage to find some wee gems in this town though, and headed straight to the Chatuchak weekend markets where 2 shopping deprived females were let loose - but died of heat and suffocation admidst the 15,000 stalls, meaning we were unable to part with much cash! But anyone who has seen The Amazing Race will understand what a treat this place really was.
The Grand Palace, in all it's splendour was as breathtaking as
Bangkok
A home on the riverside...note the royal attire on the wall - they love their King all the tourist journals say. There wasn't much conversation going on while we were here as we were both too overwhelmed to rattle anything other than 'this is amazing'. We did experience some of the most annoying Thai's to come across our path here though, being conned into a super expensive boat ride, having an altercation with the 'bird lady' who tried to suck 100 Baht out of us for bird seed, and every Tuk Tuk driver and his dog want to take you to the 'Lucky Buddha' aka 'trade centres' where fake diamonds and all glass gems are sold.
On our last night, right on the doorstep of our hotel, was a Indian Buddha Festival. This was actually incredible, and another reason to leave us speechless. Preparations had been in the mix all day with people making colourful shrines and flower necklaces on the side of the road. We stepped out right into the thick of it at about 7pm, with the street closed off, loud music blaring from speakers, food stalls, Buddha shrines, fire, dancing - and thousands of people. About an hour later the crowd parted, and a street parade began with the main attraction being
Grand Palace, Bangkok
Livvy and Em at the Grand Palace a statue of a Buddha acting like Santa Clause at the Santa Parade. People were literally throwing themselves at it, crying, chanting, becoming completely immersed in the moment. There was also some random Indian guy with his eyes closed walking down through the crowd throwing 'lucky' incense on people. He managed to throw a nice handful on Liv, ruining her latest purchase of the cutest white top you'd ever seen. Not so white anymore.
Defining Moment.
We are sitting on the rooftop of our hotel after the festival. Sweaty, covered in incense and with red dots on our foreheads we listen to Si Lom Rd below us with a cocktail in hand. The madness of the carnival sweeps into the air as we look out over the city that is Bangkok.
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Chris Haughey
non-member comment
thaied up in knots
Just stumbled on your travel blog after getting your email Liv. Sounds like fun fun fun in Thailand. Enjoy!