Bangkok

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Hi All,

Our adventures have finally begun for real! Bangkok has been fabulous - already amazed at how much you can pack in to a few days!! First day visited Jim Thompson's House - beautiful and a fascinating intro to aspects of Thai life and history - never seen thread being extracted from silk worms before. Yesterday enjoyed Olie's City and Tempes Tour - brilliant call Olie. Whizzed round to 3 Wats - Golden Buddha (all 5 tons of it) Reclining Buddha (hugely amazeballs) and the white marble temple with the Happy Buddha - mind you don't know what they're on as they all look happy!! Guide was called Sunny as his Thai name meant sunshine...ahh I hear you say - how quaint. He was brilliant though and gave a very interesting personal insight into an alternative view from the received wisdom about the country.

Went to Cabbages and Condoms in the evening - great food and atmosphere and yes we did get given free condoms at the end of our meal (sorry Ad!!!). For those of you wondering what on earth we're talking about the restaurant was set up as part of a money raising organisation to promote family planning and organic farming in Thailand - belief being condoms should be as plentiful and cheap as cabbages and that smaller familes would raise he economic wealth of all the indiginous people - something like that anyway.

Today set off for Royal Palace only to get there and find it closed 'til 1.00pm - monks were up to something apparently. Ended up on Tuk Tuk being whisked off to white marble buddha - beautiful and to emerald export centre - very expensive!!Thought at first all might be a bit of a con but it wasn't. Tuk Tuk driver was great and charged 40 baht (85p) for whole trip and waiting!!!! Got into Royal Palace - stunning. You just don't know where to look it is so beautiful and there's so much of it. Every wall studded with small mirrored mosaics and coloured stones that reflect constantly in the sunlight. Great fun on public ferry boat to get there as well - crushed in like sardines but great waterside views and again all for princely sum of 15 baht each.

Had to find a market for Sally but only one we could fit into schedule was night market at Patpong (Bangkok's red light district). market fine - knew they must be struggling when even Sally was offered tickets for a sex show. Madame purchased with the help of some well advised bartering skills from John a smart pair of "elephant trousers" you know the ones Jane!

Have also enjoyed a bit of the high life - cocktails at Bangkok's premier hotel The Oriental. Complimentary ferry to get there and everywhere beautifully lit up with twinkly, sparkly lights (Sally said put that). Thanks Degs - felt well posh! Sorry no photos attached yet but have taken so many already - it's crazy.

Off to Chiang Mai tomorrow. No stresses yet boys - must be getting into this travelling lark.

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Comments

[Olie]

Nice blogging
Hi olds... Nice opening blog entry-all sounds amazing! Really pleased your enjoying it all. I like the sound of the restaurant although was physically sick at the thought of you having a condom bllllaaarrrgggghhhhhhh!!!! Looking forward to hearing all about N Thailand and those elephants! Xxx