Out with a bang

Mark, Jac and I enjoying a bucket of whiskey and red bull.
see all photos »

Our last three days in Bangkok have been as adventurous and full of new experiences as any...

Took it pretty easy on Wednesday - food at the guesthouse for breakfast was much enjoyed (first time Mike ever had tom yum that early). Found a great place further up on Th Rambuttri (extension of street we are staying on) where we had large Chang beer (2 normal glasses) for 50baht where we met some travellers from Poland who we helped plan their travels through Australia.

so loud we snuck down a little side street for some fresh prawns

Mikes bag gets lighter - so long swans scarff and other un-useable items.
see all photos »

Early evening we took a tuk tuk to Chinatown (bargained and allowed one stop at suit shop so cheap as). Got a little lost and ended up walking some back streets where we were sure the locals were thinking "what are those farang doing here". Farang is white foreigner - Mike and I have taken to calling each other that too.

Chinatown is lit up with neon lights and is one of the busiest streets in Bangkok, just so loud we snuck down a little side street for some fresh prawns (only a few mins between swimming in the bucket, then fried and onto our plates).

Weekend markets - 100's of dogs for sale.
see all photos »

On Thursday we decided to start early and head to the big shopping centres in Siam Square we had heard and read about - and yes they are insanely large! About 4 centres within very close proximity (linked by overpasses) and each 7 stories high. Just to get there was an adventure.... we took the Khlong taxi which is the water taxi that actually goes along the canal (not the river like we did previously). Due to a slight error in the Lonely Planet book we were at the wrong place and could not find the pier... So adament to continue with this mode of transport we ventured back to the guesthouse (not far) and were given the correct info and directions. A short 15 minute walk and then we were on the water taxi (jet powered long boat) and were at Siam in another 5 minutes - and only 8 baht! (tuk tuk drivers charge upwards of 100 baht for this trip!).

Marketing...
see all photos »

Had lunch at this amazing food court in the MBK building - unlike the food courts in Austraila with pre-prepared and predominantly deep fried, typical takeaway food, this place had 20-30 shops which each did only a few things and cooked it up fresh on the spot - we chose Japanese sukiyaki soup.

After wandering around for ages we took the skytrain to Lumphini Park - both of which did not offer that much scenery. Keen to get back to the guesthouse and have our first massage of the trip we tried to bargain with a tuk tuk driver (we were quite far away from destination) - what first was an extravagent fare was soon down to 20baht when we agreed to stop at one shop. We are starting to like this bargaining power and definitely using to our advantage!

Marketing...
see all photos »

1 hour traditional thai massage at our guesthouse was interesting - lots of pulling, pushing but an experience all the same and probably good for our tired bodies walking and doing so much each day. Met up with Mark and a girl Alex we had met along the way for some beers and then got some street food - the best omelette I have ever had!! Deciding to stay local we went to Mark's guesthouse which has a very large and inviting bar front and at Mark's influence ordered a whisky bucket - which is a bucket full of ice and you are given a 375 ml of whisky, 3 red bull and 3 straws! Great fun if not a little drunken last night in Bangkok.

Chinatown slows down for no one.
see all photos »

Today we set off early again - Mark joined too - and we got a tuk tuk to the weekend market which is absolutely massive and sells everything from clothes, furniture, art and live animals - we saw turtles, snakes, far too many dogs in one cage... and all the dogs getting their hair blow dried so they looked more fluffy and cute?!

Gets too hot to walk around very quickly so caught the sky train to Siam Square to go to another of the large shopping centres to meet Rumpa and her husband Vitoon, who I know through a friend in Perth. They took us to THE most AMAZING japanese buffet restaurant!!! Absoultely everything from sushi, dumplings, tempura, and all of this raw fish and meat that you helped yourself to and then gave to the open kitchen to stir fry or grill and was then delivered to your table. I was a little overwhelmed (need to be seen to be believed) but the food was fantastic. It was great to spend a couple of hours with Thai locals also.

Live seafood... on ice but still crawling (Chinatown)
see all photos »

Now after updating this we are off to the train station to get the overnight train to Chiang Mai - a little more expensive than the bus but we have a cabin so can sleep and it times well to leave at 6pm and arrive tomorrow at 7am. Despite a few hot and flustered moments have very much enjoyed Bangkok and a heap of new experiences.