Hi from Bangkok

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Hello everyone from sunny Bangkok. Arrived safe and well from Newcastle via Hearthrow. No problems for once with the flight (except being in cattle class of course) and arrived on time. As some of you already know we got engaged just before we left so thought we’d treat ourselves and booked into the riverside Hilton in Bangkok. Have a room on the 18th floor with fantastic views over the river to the south. The weather is fairly mild and sunny, but it gets humid as the day goes on. We are slowly finding our travelers feet now after the usual confusion of a new and very different place, currency, language etc. It’ll be a good start before venturing further into asian Cambodia and Vietnam.
We’ve seen some of the usual tourist traps so far, including the reclining Buddha, the tall Buddha, fat Buddha etc etc you get my drift. We had some great Thai food, both from the hotel and the local street vendors, although some of it looks a little suspect and we’re not brave enough yet to dive in!
We got scammed (even after reading the warnings) and despite wanting to go see the palace ended up at the tall Buddha and on to various gem shops and a local tailor. Here I must confess I bit ad ordered a couple of tailored suits, but only after talking to an English guy who was back for his second time and ordering more. I’ve had two fittings and 2 suits, 2 extra trousers, 6 shirts later they should be on the way home. (finest Italian cotton and cashmere, hopefully!!!)
Yesterday we went to see Jim Thompson’s house, an American silk entrepreneur who revived the Thai silk at great personnal profit. His house is actually 6 original Thai houses on stilts (to stop flooding) but built together in a western style. For the few hours you’re there you forget you in crazy Bangkok as its very quiet and tranquil indeed.
We’re currently sitting on the backpackers road ( Khao San Road ) where parts of The Beach were filmed however I believe the days of wooden partition walls are gone.
Tomorrow we head north to see the bridge over the river Kwai and plan to stay local rather than rush back into Bangkok. We booked flights to Angkor Wat, flying 6th into Siam Reap and Kate is currently trying to organize a hotel using her best Cambodian!! All I can here is her shouting down the phone!!! Oh well, adapt and overcome, that’s our new motto.
I’ve already lost my sunglasses into the Chao Paraya river and have hit my head 5-6 times against all sorts of obstructions! Asian people are too short for my own liking and is taking some adapting to!
Well, lets hope this works and will post some pickies in the next day or two.
Signing off, love Mark and Kate

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Photos

bangkok by night
Room with a view

the Hilton
Paris's dad place

Chilling
Kate chilling by the river waiting for a boot

Temple
Temple by the river

Palace
Temple in the Palace

Another temple
Kate outside golden temple

Thompson
Visit to Jim Thompson's house. Tranquility within the city.

river transport
Catching the express boat down the innercity canals

chilli
Scrumptous chillis by the ton at the fruit and flower market

Khao san
Along the Khoa san road. Literally buzzing!!!

Bangkok by day
Less impressive view by day. Pollution is a problem.

Comments

[Becca]

Hey guys!
Glad you are having fun and adapting to the life of leisure! I thought that it was Kate though that had the unfortunate shopping addiction!! Me thinks that the kitty has no chnace for the next three months!! All is fine here, missing you guys. First frosts have come in so am jealous as a great big green monster of warmer clims. You must tell us of the results of when you do dip in to the street food - I'd love to see Kate's face. Kepp on enjoying it. Much love, Becca xxx

[mum and dad]

takes some getting used to.
hi Kate and Mark, so pleased you're enjoying Bangkok. Shame about tje glasses, Mark hope they weren't your best ones! I'm sure Kate speaks perfect Cambodian so you should have some kind of place to stay - might even be a hotel room! Will check your blog for entries - hope they are as frequent as Chris and Alice's. Keep safe, all love MumXX

[anna]

hello
hello worms how you going? it all sounds fab so far - good photos. I am very envious and wish i was there with my rucksack! stay safe and happy, love you, anna xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[alice margaret]

small poo
hello delicious kate and markus, it all sounds wonderful so far, especially the lara croft bit, i would love to adventure through some temples. The children do sound nice, but i am sure will be annoying after a while, watch to see if they do small poos in the street, we have seen that alot. what foods have you eaten, remember no prawns! enjoy every minute, all my love al x x x x x