Brendon
After a slightly longer trip (5hour delay in Frankfurt airport plus 2 hours on the train) we made our way. Finding our guesthouse was the first task, while getting used to the nice cool fresh air of Bangkok! Quite warm is a comment made at some point. Bloody hot was another one today. After settling in the first exploring walk of the surroundings took place. Apparently it is not smart to walk to the darkest bit of a park, so we decided instead to eat at our first food cart. Next to the road the first thai green curry and a fried thai rice went in very nicely. The fruit juice, filled with ice and local water maybe not the best idea for our unexperienced stommachs. Early night followed to be ready for a day of site-seeing. Body clocks not helping as I thought it was morning about 4 times during the night and had to retain myself to start siteseeing at 4 in the morning. What followed was a day of temples, Buddhas, temples, Buddhas and Buddhas and Tuk Tuk scam artists! Which worked on us nicely and Hester got a ring out of it.....! So win win!
Hester - Yup, not impressed with the Tuk tuk scammer, so we told our driver that we were no longer interested in doing the tour that he had planned for us (going to random shrines in peoples back garden or just stuff he seemingly made up, rather than the big temples), and did things under our own steam. Firstly this involved catching a boat down the river throught the centre of bangkok (this was kindof cool as we were wandering through places that were not rammed with other tourists - ohhh intrepid explorers), to Wat Pho, which is where they have this MASSIVE "reclining Buddha" - he was huge, something like 50 metres long and 15 high, lying on his side, just chillin'. That was really good, and we have some ace pictures (although of course we forget to bring the cable for my camera, so can't actually put any pics on here : ( - this is a work in progress to see if we can buy one). After this headed abck to the hotel, went out for a meal in a restaurant (not as good as the green curry on the side of the road!) then went for a wander down Khao San Road to stare at other travelers getting completely wasted, and to buy me some new flipflops (Birkenstocks -for the 4 euros. I think they might be fake.....). Then we went for a cocktail - Bren had one sip of his drink and came over all funny (i.e. Drunk) and claimed that his legs had gone all heavy. He he he, big jessie!!!
Brendon
Third day in Bangkok and the plan was to go out of the city and explore the surroundings! As we wanted to see more of Bangkok itself, we decided to look around more. Early start (9 am wake up was planned!!!) Fat chance! Getting over a jetlag is slightly harder for some people! Ad to that the first sunshine we've seen and we have a good mixture for meltdown in combination with English blood. Result: left the guesthouse at 12, mango for breakfast, and another boatride to see some more sites. Talking was reduced to a minimum to counter the heat. First palace we weren't allowed in, as my clothes did not live up to the King's standard (going back tomorrow in my new tailored 3 piece suit for 10 euros), but saw a other temple which was very impressive. Health and safety eat your heart out; steepest steps ever, no worries, just go up!!! After the temple it was time to see an other side of the city: CHINA TOWN! I am not a big fan of markets, but it was awesome. Whole area just stalls and complete hectic. We walked straight for 30 minutes, just stalls, and didn't come out! There were even motor bikes and tuk tuks driving through the tiny alleys - even a car at one point. Mental! Of course it was Buddha time again; 5.500 ton pure gold one. We tried to think about a way to fit in in our bag: Hester was going to flash the Monk which would give 2 possibilities. 1) looking away in horror and me running away with it (3 metres high), 2) he, not used to too much English goodness, grabbing Hester, and me running away with it! Bottom line, running away with the gold!!
Hester
So after the excitment of theaving the gold buddha, we went to the Indian part of china town as Brendon wanted to see what their chicken tikka masala was like!!!! Best ever apparently. after that we walked back accross the city to check out a couple of monuments/temples that we had missed before. On the way back home after, we stumble accross some sort of Thai outdoor gym/excercise park - hundreds of people in the park, some jogging circuits around the park path, others doing crazy dance aerobics, also some tai chi, and a couple of people doing some sort of martial arts with swords. all round the park we signs with pictures on showing how to warm up, and stretch. They even had special tubes for doing situps on. Brendon got very excited about this place - i think he was gonna offer his services as pe teacher at one point. after this we came across a really weird music performance on a big stage in the middle of a round about. A bunch of old dudes playing rock music. A few temples later and we came home.Tomorrow we are off to Cambodia. More to follow!!!
