Bangkok Part Two: The Reunion!

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We returned excitedly to Bangkok, driving through big rainstorms on the way and settled back into our home-from-home the lovely River Guest House. Mum, Gordon, Harri, Jess and Flo would be arriving in a couple of days, it was mind blowing to think that 6 months had passed since we left home and so very shortly they would be here, with us, in Bangkok!

Lew and I had some jobs to sort out before everyone arrived, applying for Vietnamese visas, extending our Thai ones, and checking up on the political situation between the Government and the democracy fighters the 'Red Shirts'.

Until recently the protests had been non violent and negotiations had been taking place between the two sides, but pressure has been increased on the military controlled government to step down before New Year (15th April) and tension is growing in the city.

That evening Lewi and I watched an al fresco aerobics class in Santichaiparkan park bathed in a gorgeous red light from the dramatic sunset backdrop. The pulsing music and synchronized moves seemed more like a theatre performance than an exercise class.

The next morning, 2nd April, we were on our faithful no15 bus making our way across town getting horrendously stuck in traffic jams, in order to meet everyone at their hotel near Siam Square.

Eventually we made it to the Pullman Kingpower Complex, it was a huge hotel complete with a shopping centre and golf buggies to take you around. As we walked into the all glass grand reception we heard, "There they are!" and were suddenly enveloped into bear hug after bear hug.

It was so wonderful to see them and we all could not stop smiling. Everyone was shattered after their long flights and so after a delicious mango smoothie in Siam Square we hopped back on the skytrain, two dozen 10baht coins please, and spent the rest of the afternoon lounging by their fabulous poolside.

We chatted and caught up on each others gossip, and celebrated Lewi's birthday again with more great gifts and lovely cards. We now have enough books to keep us going until we cone home! And finally Lewi has new boxer shorts.

The gentle swimming and dozy sunbathing was just what everyone needed, and now that they were feeling somewhat revived we led them onto the streets in search of dinner. It felt cool to be able to show them around Bangkok, using our prior experience to negotiate transport and seek out good food.

We took a river express taxi, crowded with people from all walks of life, along to Phra Athit spotting temples and tourist attractions along the way. The river boats are my favourite way to travel in Bangkok and I think everyone else enjoyed it too.

Phra Athit is just a short walk from the delights of Kaoh San Rd and so we were strolling along the bustling thoroughfare in no time. The female contingent were soon excitedly purchasing goods and getting into the swing of bartering, and Lewi was inviting Gordon to sample the culinary delicacies of grasshoppers and locusts. Yummy. We were all in much need of a Chang by this point and as always a 7/11 was just around the corner to provide. It was funny walking along the street where mum was asked if she wanted some marijuana and Gordon if he wanted to go to a pingpong show, in fact everyone was asked if they wanted to go to a pingpong show! We politely declined.

An hour or so later with shopping bags in hand and stomachs full of spring rolls, watermelon and Phad Thai, Lewi and I waved goodbye to our grinning family as they sped off, the five of them crammed into a tiny tuktuk. A great sight. It would've been a brilliant start to their time in Thailand had the tuktuk not dropped them in the middle of a red shirt protest. Luckily the friendly protesters put them promptly into a taxi and sent them on their way, no harm done.

The next morning Lewi and I had a positive red shirts encounter too, our bus had to turn around as a demonstration blocked the road ahead and we couldn't get through, a bicycling democracy fighter pointed us in the right direction and said, "Red shirts are good guys, ok." They sure seem to be.

A little late we met the rest of the gang at 'Cozy Place' our hostel for tonight, and once we'd checked into the lovely rooms we set off to explore The Grand Palace and Wat Pho. We were shocked at how expensive entry to the Palace was but took the plunge. Gordon, Lewi and Flo were considered inappropriately dressed and so had to borrow some fetching baggy pants and shirts respectively. Now that we were all correctly attired and considerably poorer we were allowed into the grounds, what an impressive sight. The buildings were so highly bejeweled and gold encrusted they looked like the set for a Disney movie. Hundreds of Buddha statues and images stared majestically back at us as we gently strolled and perspired our way around the huge complex.

It was an extremely hot day and it was a cool calming few minutes to silently observe the Emerald Buddha (actually made of Jade) in his very grand temple abode. We were all surprised at quite how petite the Buddha was having expected it to be larger.

We enjoyed The Grand Palace for it's sheer grandeur and extravagance however we all decided that we preferred Wat Pho, the huge reclining Buddha and the sight of twenty saffron robed monks chanting their
scripture in unison left a lasting impression far greater than the kings former residence could.

Early evening we found a patch of parkland and thought a sit down and beer could be due, as we entered the gates a surreal thing happened. All the people stopped talking, the joggers stood stock still, and the aerobics class paused while the national anthem was piped through tinny speakers for all to hear. As soon as it finished business resumed as usual, this mark of respect for the king is always
perfectly observed by the Thai peoples who truly love their king. The second strange occurrence was that drinking was prohibited in the park (along with gambling, smoking and sleeping so the sign said) so we
took our beverages and drank them by the nearby canal instead.

We got rather lost searching for a restaurant adding a few more miles to our daily total and ended up in Patpong market where alongside the fake designer handbags and impostor jewelery are wanabee ladies (LB's) and strip clubs. It was an interesting evening, for once food was a disappointment but the street entertainment was an education on the other side to Bangkok.

Back at Cozy Place Lewi we all shared some Easter chocolate and English Cheddar cheese. Such a treat to have these presents from home of things we'd been missing.

Up early the next day we decided to make the most of our time and so took the metro to Lumphini park a lovely expanse of greenery where we stumbled on a marathon, some Thai Chi classes (amusing to watch the beginners) and an enormous monitor lizard sunning itself on the banks of the lake. It had been a productive morning and yet another diverse experience in this great city.

We were heading to Kanchanaburi next, Thonburi train station proved a difficult location for our taxi drivers to find but after two failed attempts we made it and snacks and Changs at the ready we boarded the 3rd class characterful train for a hot five hour journey.

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Comments

[jessie]

OH NO!