2. Bangkok, Thailand

Well what a come down! After flying the last leg of the journey in business class we were down to living out of our hand luggage!! Sadly we didn't pack any clothes in there due to wishful thinking that it hopefully won't happen to us but hey remember this - THERES ALWAYS A FIRST TIME!! 

Day 1

We got the Sky train and the Metro to our hostel and due to it been 11.30pm (due to delays and a long queue at the lost luggage desk!) we didn't want to mess around and found it as quickly as we could. Let's just say we stayed in the 'real' Bangkok - it wasn't an area that you would want to venture out at night time so we kept in our rooms until light! 

Day 2

We found it quite easy to figure out what to wear as we had no choice in the matter! So off we went downstairs for breakfast - very nice and so cheap! 95baht (£1.75!) we then set off walking to Wat Traimit which was round the corner. What a sight! Bigger than expected! It was lovely but the best was yet to come....We saw Lee Ryan from Blue....Z list I know! Ha ha!




 

We went to the top and saw the Golden Buddha which was lovely - we got a real feel for it too as people were praying. 

Now for the near death experience! We pressed the button to cross the road at a marked crossing and the countdown until we cross started 3,2,1 go go go! A good few steps into it and I look right and think oh dear their not stopping!!! Rach was filming at the time and we laugh about it now!! The driving and traffic is crazy here! You really have to be careful!

We really have seen it all - dogs in pushchairs, 7 people in a 2 people tuk tuk and toddlers been held in front of the driver of a moped, not forgetting the ladyboys! Code word if one was spotted is HP hence the picture below!

Day 3

We were all prepared to get a tuk tuk at one point of the trip but no one came (it was a sign not too!!). We walked instead and enjoyed it - seeing the real side of life in Bangkok - families going about their daily lives and street food. 

The news back at England is showing a lot of protests camps and fighting etc but we only came across two protest camps and they were playing music and selling items on stalls - Rach thought at first it was a festival!  I quickly informed her of the truth.

 

We swiftly walked on to MBK - 8 floors and 2000 shops (bear in mind they are like little market stalls!). 

 

We felt safe walking the streets though due to seeing the Royal Thai Army at certain points and we soon got into the swing of things using the public transport and directing ourselves!

 

We couldn't get over how cheap certain things are though - a footlong subway 98baht = £1.80! Would be about £5 odd at home! 

We went to other shopping outlets (Siam Centre and Panagon - higher end shopping - a floor dedicated to selling super cars! Rolls Royce for 48million baht! Why not!! We also saw in there a Thai singer NúGun performing - they were going crazy for him so I think we should be honoured! 

We had a little break and went to Starbucks...I've opened Rachael's eyes to the taste of Frappachino's! She now hooked!

We kept crossing our fingers that we get our bags back and our prayers were answered by a knock on the door at 11.30pm..... This is what followed .....

 

 

...Bag love!! 

Day 4

Went to a nearby pier the following day to be a tourist on a ferry. We made our way up river to go visit the Grand Palace which was phenomenal! Especially as people were praying so it really made you feel the spirit in the air. There were so many photo opportunities! It really is so nice to see the Thai people think so highly of their faith and respect something so much! We don't do this with churches back at home!

 

 

We then walked by a street market which sold absolutely everything including knives which wasn't nice to see, this was on our way to The Reclining Buddha - it is absolutely massive!!!

 

We then went across the river to visit Wat Arun which was fabulous! We climbed the steps and by heck were they STEEP! The views were worth it though!
 

 

 

Day 5

We tried again to get a tuk tuk but failed - we wanted to go to the tallest building in Thailand, 'The Baiyoke Sky Tower' so we asked Mr Tuk Tuk driver. He said 300baht, we halved it and he said 250baht, we said no...he walked away and we walked to the Metro!!

 

We met two guys from Brazil, Francesco and Junior who were going to the same place as us so we all tagged along together - safety in numbers! The views were breathtaking! A free drink in the bar and a revolving floor at the top! Very nice! It was funny though...we have never been lost in a building before ha ha! We went down the wrong lift and got confused but we made it out alive!!!

 

We also managed to catch a ride in a very nice air conditioned tuk tuk...

 

 

We then went to Cabbages and Condoms Restaurant just to have a look due to it being near by! It was funny!! I've never seen condom flowers before!

 

We then made our way back to our hostel, collected our bags, had dinner and got the sleeper train to Chumphon! What an experience that was - details in next post... This one is long enough!!! 

Next stop....Koh Tao!!!

Take care, 

Nat! XxX (with help from Rach for pics)