Wat we saw and wat we didn't

Wednesday 25th

I woke up early this morning, even without noisy neighbours as an excuse, and watched a movie that started at 6am. "Peggy Sue got married" with Kathleen Turner playing a teenager and Nicholas Cage her boyfriend. He had a lot of hair, so it was an old movie.

About 8, after my shower, I knocked on the guys doors and we agreed to meet half an hour later at the cafe for breakfast. I bought some internet time which I can use wirelessly from my room. It was a bit more than the palce I'd found the night before but the convenience is worth a bit extra.

We decide to got to the place and emerald Buddha temple ( Wat Racha phradit) today and by the time breakfast was over it was after 9-30. I figured by the time we got anywhere it'd be after 10 and things would be open. The plan was to take the underground to Silom, then change to the sky train to the river. From there we'd take the ferry to the palace.

I said I'd show them the golf building in Patpong, which is a Soi off Silom, while we were there. We emerged 2 hours later having bought between us, 8 shirts, 63 pairs of socks 2 pairs of shoes, a golf club, some tees, a putting target, a map of Bangkok and some cutlery.

The later were some long handled spoons I wanted in perth but couldn't find for getting My metamucil out of its jar when it gets low. Also I have no spoons in the room so I had to get some any way. TVL was inspired to but some as well. My share of the golf purchase were 2 of the shirts - Addidas coolclime polo shirt in light and dark blue. There was a nice one in black, white and gold - state colours but not in my size. I also bough a pair of Footjoy golf shoes for about $90.

We then got back on plan and caught the sky train to the river. There we were informed by a helpful boat owner that the next ferry was nearly an hour away but he'd be happy to take us on the private boat for 200b each. Since I know the ferry cost is 18b, I declined and surprise, the next boat arrived only 10 minutes later. In addition to the usual sights of temples, boats and so forth on the river there was this tiny boat pulling 4 huge barges behind it. A bit like a mini pulling 4 jumbo jets.

Once we alighted and headed for the Palace, another helpful gentleman told us it wasn't open. We thanked him and walked on to one of the gates where the guard informed us that it really wasn't open because it was a Buddhist holy day. Apparently not all helpful people are trying to rip you off after all.

The guard then drew all over my map showing temples that were open, hailed a tuk-tuk driver and negotiated a 40B trip to 3 of these and what turned out to be a jewellery store and a native craft/souvenir store as one of the stops. As none of us are exactly slender, it was a tight squeeze. We visited the Standing Buddha and its associated temple (Wat Indra wihan).

Next we passed a statue of one of the kings and a horse and one of the palaces, then passed the zoo to those shops where the driver gets a coupon for bringing us.

We didn't buy any jewellery, although I did look for some earrings to match my Topaz set, but the guys bought some souvenirs. We then got taken to another coupon place - a silk tailor shop where he begged us to go in even if we didn't want to buy anything.

Next it was to the temple of the golden mount (Phu Khoa Thong). I hadn't been here before so it was worth the trip. It is on what is possibly the highest hill in Bangkok so it was a bit of a climb but you can see the whole city from up there. It has a golden spire at the top as well.

By then it was after 2 and we were all hungry so I got him to takes us to Banglamphoo, where we had a late lunch. I had green curry and 2 cocktails - a Daiquiri and a Blue Hawaii. We then tried to get a ride to the river taxi pier where we planned to ride to Pan Tip Plaza. After being quoted 200B to go back basically to the Golden Mount by one Tuk Tuk and a taxi driver, another said he'd do it for 100. This is the real price when you don't get taken to these tourist traps where they get coupons. In the end we got taken all the way to Pan Tip for 200. This tuk-tuk was much newer and nippier than the first one. We wandered around a bit but in the end only bought some cards for the guy's cameras. We then walked to the Skytrain - a bit further than I remember and then back to the hotel.

After an hours rest, the Rev and I went to the massage place and had Thai massages while TVL went to Robinson's department store. We then had dinner at the outdoor restaurant I ate at with Conan previously.

I realised I have spent more today than in the entire 12 days previously.

I have just had an email asking me to go to the States again for 2 -3 weeks so Looks like there will be another blog to follow this one.