Westies On Tour: Last Day in Bangkok

Wednesday 8^th January

Our last day in Bangkok. Unfortunately Rod feeling really rough and the heat doesn't help. We got up early and went to the Royal Palace and to see the Emerald Buddha. Absolutely fantastic, but 37 degrees by 10am. I've never seen so much gold in my life, crowds of people, but wouldn't have missed it for the world.

As only having two days, we decided to stay in one area by the river. It was a good decision as it allowed up to crawl back to hotel and cool off quite a lot. There is so much to do in this city and not enough time as usual.

Next to the hotel and right by the river there is a little garden cafe which does a brilliant watermelon slush, I didn't know whether to drink it or pour all over myself. Oh and lovely cake of course for Rod, he needed to keep his strength up!

You could sit there for hours watching the small long boats wiz up and down, in dodging between the large tourist boats. The water looked a bit murky but there were lots of egrets and other birds, so can't be that polluted.

As for pollution I fear that three days is enough here for me. I'm already coughing and wheezing, and there is a permanent haze over the city. All those exhaust fumes me thinks.

It's a typical Asian city, the area we stayed in looked quite poor, and you had lots of little rows of shops selling everything you could want, and then in between a really smart jewellery or art shop, which looked out of place. Then down these murky alleyways were entrances to concrete flats, which probably are lovely inside, with BMW's parked outside, so can't be that poor.

The people are really friendly, and yes you get the odd person asking for money or offering guiding services, or a visit to their brothers fabric shop, but you would expect that, and it is all done very politely.

Didn't try a tuk tuk this time as everything we needed was walking distance. They also have bike taxis, you just flag one down, jump on the back, and pray to whatever God is applicable... don't think we would have tried that one. We are getting good at crossing the roads today and at least they drive on the right side of the road, so you look in the right direction, before taking your life in your hands.

In the afternoon we went to see reclining Buddha, yes a 30 foot reclining Buddha, again gold everywhere and very beautiful. What is lovely here, is that every household, even the poorest has a little shrine and they put fresh food and flower on them daily. They also make little gardens in pots, even the smallest space has greenery. Subsequently there are loads of little brightly colour butterflies every where.

I had the best Thai Green Curry tonight, ever! I toned itdown just slightly after I fished out the red chillis, but even so took a couple of hours to feel my lips again.... completely wonderful. Mozzies decided to feast on my right foot to pay me back... swines.

Off to bed as we have to be up at 4am to get to the airport. Not a problem as still waking up at that time.