BANGKOK BLING

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With the long flight behind us entered the new "bling bling" Bangkok airport then hurried our way to the 5 star hotel for a good nights sleep.... Boy was that mattress soft. After 14 hours of struggling to sleep upright any still and silent vertical surface would have done...

Once recovered Anne and I headed out into this smog filled city to explore the joys and wonders that have attracted so many tourists over the century. Siam City AKA the "Money Pit" is an extravagant shopping complex with plenty to offer in ways of designer clothing, electronics and antiquities(the real stuff) among various other types of merchandise, all with real prices attached as well... You don't visit this place to save money that for sure, but well worth it to soak in the immensity of it all.

"Same same, but different"

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After exploring the polished side of we headed into the more traditional side of Markets, Tuk Tuks and Street Vendors. Though less glamourous, Bangkok's other side is just as exciting. Walking through the night markets, bartering with store owners over fake designer brands and side stepping 'Go Go Pimps' (ping pong shows of the like) all added up to a thirst quenching beer at the second local bar that we came across... The first being a Lady Boy bar and disgustingly I might add they were NOT selling beer.... Hence moving on to the second bar...

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NOW, everyone who has travelled to Thailand would have came across the Thai/English saying "Same, Same but Different" (meaning similar) and it's also an excuse for not being able to provide exactly what one may be asking for, such as Anne and my experience with our second Tuk Tuk ride..... After exploring the extents of Patpong Market(not all that exciting), we decided that we would like to explore another area. Consulting our Travel Bible (LP Thailand) we decided that Pratunam Market would be a good market to explore. After communicating our desired location to the Tuk Tuk driver he responded by stating more than asking "No, no, I take you to Suan Lum, it's same same but different" you like better".... With that logic we could really do nothing but agree with the man, so we went to Suan Lum Night Bazaar instead and as good as it was I can not honestly tell you if it really was the "Same same but different!".....

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After a great night of exploring we decide that the last day in Bangkok would be best spent walking around the Grand Palace and visiting the temple holding the Emerald Buddha(Wat Phra Kaew). Arriving at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew was exactly what we expected... GRAND. I would recommend it to anyone visiting Bangkok. Though full of tourists (sometimes to many) the magnificence of the mirror tiles architecture is enough to blow you away.... Check that photo's as I would really need 1000 more words to do this Palace/Wat justice... Original home to the Thai King and Queen the Grand Palace is nowadays used only for occasional ceremonial purposes. Wat Phra Kaew home to the famous Emerald Buddha, originally discovered in 1391 in a Wat by the same name located in Chang Rai. The discovery of this Buddha was as bazaar as the Wat it now resides in.... Imagine, Chang Rai, 1391(before the establishment of Bangkok) a lightning storm passes over the city with one of the magnificent bolts striking a Pagoda in Wat Phra Kaew. The Pagoda bursts open revealing it's contents to the monks residing in the monastery, one of these treasures being the Emerald Buddha. After travelling for a number of centuries through Laos and Thailand it finally came to rest in Bangkok in 1778 where in still resides....

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After this grand tour we headed for the Airport and our adventures in Northern Thailand... first stop Phitsanulok....