Thai speeches and children singing at the school in Wat Po (famous for the huge reclining Bhudda and having been the royal temple before the building of the Grand Palace and the Emerald Bhudda temple)across the road. Decided that we would do the Grand Palace Tour today and dressed according to their rules - shoes with socks, long trousers and shirts with sleeves. As we were walking past Wat Po we decided not to miss the opportunity to look at this large royal temple complex. The intricate designs of the architecture are overwhelming and a photograpers dream. After marvelling at the many different buildings and statues, as well as the many bonzais, we decided to give the Grand Palace a miss ...too much culture on 1 day is dangerous. Going on the "best street food trail" was much more appealing ...and after walking through China Town, finding the best curry place, walking through endless markets (what you can't buy here does not exist ! ), enjoying the most incredible Tom Yum lunch on Yaowarat Road (fun experience - just point at someone's food that looks good and say ...one of those please and the locals having a good giggle watching me sweat with the heat of the curry ....but oh so yummy !) and an amazing iced coffee in an airconditioned coffee shop (which was 50% more expensive than the lunch !) , we finally caught a river ferry back to our hostel 5 hours later. That is the way to experience Bangkok ...walking down endless alleys and soaking up daily life. People really work hard here and eek out an existence. The traffic is overwhelming...just wait for a local to cross the street and rush across with them. Too funny ! And pushing through the crowds in the markets, equally overwhelming...so many people in such a small space. Personal space does not exist ! However ...people are generally patient and one does not feel any agression. Walking through the Flower Market was absolutely amazing - so many varieties and huge bunches and beautiful displays. As it is a weekend of festivities ahead and flowers form a huge part of religious ceremonies and festivities, the flower market had a special buzz. And ...Bangkok is yellow at the moment - yellow flowers and banners and every 2nd person is wearing a yellow t- shirt with inscriptions like "Long live the King" , "I love Dad" , "I love the King" - all for the King's birthday tomorrow. Photos of the Royal couple and especially the king are displayed all over the city. Even all the Buddhas are draped in yellow cloth to mark the occassion. On our walk we saw a procession of vintage cars - mainly small 3-wheelers riding through town ...in the middle of chaotic traffic. Just amazing ! So much work takes place on the sidewalks - fixing of computers and hi-fi equipment for instance. People generally seem to be hardworking and entrepreneurial. In the evening we took a walk to Democracy square (enjoyed a great Phad Thai and spring rolls) and over the main Fair Ground. masses of people everywhere - mainly Thai. A celebratory air can be felt everywhere. The Kings birthday is a public holiday and the added benefit is that all the state buildings - like the Grand Palace and the city zoo charge no entrance on the day. Also - all festivities are free and there is even free water and food being handed out to the locals ( and I am sure tourists who decide to make use of the opportunity). Our timing for going back to the hostel could not have been better. As the first few drops fell we were at the door of the hostel and not 5 minutes later there was an almighty thunderstorm with the sluice gates opening for at least an hour. I wonder what the crowds of revellers and all the traders did as the rain came down, as we certainly seemed to be one of the first to leave the party.