Day 2 - We arrived in Bangkok at 08:00 local time but it felt more like midnight as we hadn't slept for a while so the first mission was to stay awake for the whole day.
Off the plane, through immigration with no dramas and we successfully found the correct train to take us to downtown Bangkok. We had to transfer from the local train to the sky train which was a simple exercise. Lovely air conditions trains was great with the backpacks on and one too many layers. Once off the sky train is was onto the shuttle boat which takes you from the central pier and drops you right outside the hotel, the Chatrium Riverside. Attempting to check in, the receptionist gave us two choices but with our brains not functioning, even the simplest question felt like sitting in the black mastermind chair! We could either check in then and have a twin room on a lower floor or wait until 14:00 for a superior double on a much higher floor. With out first thoughts being food, we decided to wait and check in later. Leaving our bags at reception we headed for the restaurant where they were still serving breakfast. Looking like a pair of vagrants, the manager took pity on us when we asked to see the menu and told us to tuck into the free buffet. "Come again sir, did you say free buffet?" And we did indeed tuck in! A nice English breakfast washed down with a thai curry for seconds!!

After breakfast we headed upstairs to check out the pool area which is on the 6th floor and overlooking the river (see cover photo) and here we waited until check in.

Upon check in we were escorted to our room which was more of a suite than a room, with a kitchen, massive bedroom and a lovely shower / bathroom. The room overlooked the pool and had a fantastic river view.

A quick lie on the bed would be fatal but lie down we did! After the quickest power nap of all time we decided we had to shower and get out if the room. We headed for Chinatown by jumping in the river boat which took us a few stops up river. Not really in the mood for complete madness maybe Chinatown wasn't the best option. Lots of tightly packed streets with food sellers on every turn and in between and with it being extremely hot and humid, not a pleasant experience but one we had to do. One lasting memory will be the smell of the wholesale spice shops, just amazing.

We returned to the hotel to take a couple of drinks in at Silver Waves, the bar on the 36th floor. A lovely view of the river as the sun was setting. To be honest these couple of drinks made us even more tired! On our return to the room we could see a stage being erected by the pool area for a private party in the evening. What was this to bring? Would it keep us awake?

We decided to have dinner at the hotel but out at the restaurant next to the river which was really pleasant. This was accompanied by a local singer luckily playing very soft music. With our heads nearly falling into our empty plates it was off back to the room.

What greeted us as we opened the balcony was an interested experience. Some sort of live band / cabaret performance basically fooling around on stage to invited guests seated the other side if the pool. We thought this may keep us awake but having been up for approximately 30 hours, I don't think they would have kept us awake even if thy we're in the room with us!