First full day in Bangkok

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So today was our first full day in Bangkok and we decided we should start exploring. Well we did once we got up at about 10.30 - we needed our sleep! Before we went exploring though, we started with some breakfast in out hotel again, and then we thought it would be a good idea to book our train tickets to our next stop. We have decided to head down to Koh Samui first, hopefully the weather isn't too bad down there (though as I type the heavens have just opened, lucky we're inside!). So we booked our 2nd class fan-cooled (they didn't have any air-con tickets left) sleeper bunks down to Surat Thani, and a combo bus and boat ticket across to Koh Samui. We leave at 6.30 on Sunday night and arrive in Surat Thani at 5.30 Monday morning - nice long journey!

So after getting this all booked, we braved the heat and humidity and decided to visit the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddah. We studied the map and thought the easiest way to get there would be the regular water taxi (not really a taxi - more like a bus). Finding the pier wasn't as easy as we thought though and we soon realised we'd gone in the wrong direction, our efforts were somewhat hampered by the Tuk-Tuk drivers trying to get our business and pointing us in the wrong direction. After a few minutes walking we thought it would be easier to get a Tuk-Yuk to the pier, but when we asked one he told us the water was too high and the boats were't running, which we knew was a lie so we went back to walking. We got there eventually though and soon enough the right boat came along and off we went. The boat was a bargain at 13 Bhat each (~20p).

When we got off the other end fortunately the grand palace was signposted so followed the signs and soon found it. It was slightly more expensive than we thought to get in, but I suppose 250 Bhat each (4GBP) isn't too bad. Becky planned ahead and was fully dressed for the occasion but it turned out Pete's shorts weren't long enough so he had to borrow some very stylish blue trousers (see picture). The palace is very spectacular and is full of intricate paintings on every wall and golden designs on the outside of every building. So we had a look around and then headed into the Emerald Buddah ...

We weren't quite sure how big the Emerald Buddah was going to be, but from what we'd read we thought it was going to be pretty big and impressive. It turns out it's about 18 inches tall, perched high up on a golden decorated platform. In fact you can barely see the Buddah!! But still, it was pretty impressive.

Having been overcome by the heat, it was time to head back to our hotel to cool off in the pool. So we wandared back to the pier, got the boat and then on the other side, found a much shorter and easier route back to our hotel! After a spot of lunch in the hotel we went straight in the pool to cool down. The afternoon was spent just relaxing and trying to keep cool then we headed out for some dinner.

We found a nice clean-looking chilled out restaurant/pub and went in for some food. Becca had pork fried rice and Pete had a lovely Thai Green Curry and sweet and sour. It was all lovely. Pete also thought he should sample the local brew and Beer Chang gets the thumbs up. And 90 Bhat for a 640ml bottle seemed quite cheap till on the way back we found somewhere selling it for 45 Bhat (75p!) which is definitely a bargain. After this Becca decided she wanted to buy a Kaftan so she found one she liked and set about barterring as this is customary. So the starting price was 180 Bhat and becca managed to get her down to ... 160. That's a mighty 30p saving. Better than paying full price I suppose!

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Photos

Pete's Sexy Trousers
Looking good! (and a nice temple behind)

Temple
Another part of the temple complex

Pete and Bex
A lovely self portrait of us on the boat

Comments

[Ro]

That's good, then
Good to hear from you, and see you. Bring me some trousers, Pete!