We are all ready for Thailand. Drained from the long days driving and poor accommodation on the way down from Kathmandu, we need some time to relax and enjoy ourselves. Several others decide to take a flight straight to Koh Samui for a full week on the beach and not spend any time in Bangkok but I am looking forward to a few days there. Just staying in one spot for more than one night is a gift and the hotel is simple but comfortable, in a good location close to bars, restaurants and night markets of Khaosan Rd.
I had expected Bangkok to be hot and clammy, so close to the monsoon season and the reports of heavy rains and flooding only served to support this expectation. However, although overcast , the temperature and ambience is more of a warm summer's evening and there are few rain showers to spoil our time.
Apart from shopping opportunities, there are , of course, some obligatory sights in Bangkok to be undertaken. The Grand Palace, the Reclining Buddha of Wat Po and Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) with its steep steps , not forgetting the famous floating markets. I forego the opportunity to cram everything into organised excursions, which normally depart at stupid o clock in the morning and arrive at too past knackered in the evening. I am not a morning person, and no-one is going to deny me the right to a few days lie-in. Obligatory sights will have to work around that and my need to see civilised shops again.
First stop is the the electronics mecca of Prantip Plaza. I'm hoping to buy a good waterproof camera in time for Koh Samui after the monsoon in Chitwan drenched my little instamatic. However, Bangkok is no longer a cheap shopping destination and, even after much haggling at various shops, I fail to achieve a price lower than that in the UK.
Despite the tourists, the peace and calm of Wat Po offers some respite from the clamour of the shopping malls in the afternoon. Wandering around in the evening, we spot The Hard Rock Cafe of Bangkok and pop in for a drink a something to eat. As we sit chatting the place begins to fill up. It feels strange to be the only European woman in there.
The city is still suffering the aftermath of the floods and all along the Chao Praya river banks, shops and homes remain below the water level. Even catching the ferry to cross to the Temple of Dawn requires walking the gangplanks through the underwater market to the pontoon. Climbing the steep steps of the Temple to get the views across the city requires nerves of steel but is worth it. Once there, I realise I am not the only one wondering how I am going to make it back down and we make a strange little chain, nervously holding on to the handrail with 2 hands as we carefully sidestep back down again.
Once down, we are coaxed into hiring one of the many longtail boats, flying up and down the river. These look like a mini viking ship,with a high front, decorated front and back, and a huge outboard motor with the propeller at the end of the long tail. They whizz up and down the river and into the little side rivers which maintain their levels by a series of locks. As we exit the lock from the main river, it's a different world. This must be the Henley on Thames of Bangkok. Many of these homes are also flooded and the floating market is quiet when we get there.
It's time for a little nightlife and everyone is keen to go to Patpong, the red light district,,famous for pussy ping pong ( a work out like you've never seen before!) and various other feline circus skills.
Halloween seems to be a big event in Bangkok and, back, in Khaosan Rd, the celebrations are really kicking off. It's heaving with revellers dressed in all sorts of macabre costumes. Underneath the costumes and makeup it's still clear that these are locals and not the usual tourists. The beer is flowing 'Fucket. Have a Bucket' proclaims one street stall sign. Don't mind if I do. The street stalls offer everything from crispy crickets to sizzling scorpions. Tempting though they are, I stick to the liquid diet. I'm so glad I didn't go straight to Koh Samui
I had expected Bangkok to be hot and clammy, so close to the monsoon season and the reports of heavy rains and flooding only served to support this expectation. However, although overcast , the temperature and ambience is more of a warm summer's evening and there are few rain showers to spoil our time.
Apart from shopping opportunities, there are , of course, some obligatory sights in Bangkok to be undertaken. The Grand Palace, the Reclining Buddha of Wat Po and Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) with its steep steps , not forgetting the famous floating markets. I forego the opportunity to cram everything into organised excursions, which normally depart at stupid o clock in the morning and arrive at too past knackered in the evening. I am not a morning person, and no-one is going to deny me the right to a few days lie-in. Obligatory sights will have to work around that and my need to see civilised shops again.
First stop is the the electronics mecca of Prantip Plaza. I'm hoping to buy a good waterproof camera in time for Koh Samui after the monsoon in Chitwan drenched my little instamatic. However, Bangkok is no longer a cheap shopping destination and, even after much haggling at various shops, I fail to achieve a price lower than that in the UK.
Despite the tourists, the peace and calm of Wat Po offers some respite from the clamour of the shopping malls in the afternoon. Wandering around in the evening, we spot The Hard Rock Cafe of Bangkok and pop in for a drink a something to eat. As we sit chatting the place begins to fill up. It feels strange to be the only European woman in there.
The city is still suffering the aftermath of the floods and all along the Chao Praya river banks, shops and homes remain below the water level. Even catching the ferry to cross to the Temple of Dawn requires walking the gangplanks through the underwater market to the pontoon. Climbing the steep steps of the Temple to get the views across the city requires nerves of steel but is worth it. Once there, I realise I am not the only one wondering how I am going to make it back down and we make a strange little chain, nervously holding on to the handrail with 2 hands as we carefully sidestep back down again.
Once down, we are coaxed into hiring one of the many longtail boats, flying up and down the river. These look like a mini viking ship,with a high front, decorated front and back, and a huge outboard motor with the propeller at the end of the long tail. They whizz up and down the river and into the little side rivers which maintain their levels by a series of locks. As we exit the lock from the main river, it's a different world. This must be the Henley on Thames of Bangkok. Many of these homes are also flooded and the floating market is quiet when we get there.
It's time for a little nightlife and everyone is keen to go to Patpong, the red light district,,famous for pussy ping pong ( a work out like you've never seen before!) and various other feline circus skills.
Halloween seems to be a big event in Bangkok and, back, in Khaosan Rd, the celebrations are really kicking off. It's heaving with revellers dressed in all sorts of macabre costumes. Underneath the costumes and makeup it's still clear that these are locals and not the usual tourists. The beer is flowing 'Fucket. Have a Bucket' proclaims one street stall sign. Don't mind if I do. The street stalls offer everything from crispy crickets to sizzling scorpions. Tempting though they are, I stick to the liquid diet. I'm so glad I didn't go straight to Koh Samui
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