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After what fealt like FOREVER and a day we finally arrived in Bangkok. To avoid being totally ripped off in a taxi we decided the monorail was the best option to get into Bangkok directy from the airport, 30 minutes later we arrive. Flagging down a taxi and attempting to explain where we were headed proved rather difficult but after several taxis / tuk tuks / suspicious looking cars pulled up and drove off we found a lovely little Thai taxi driver who dropped us off at The Rambuttri Viallage Inn. Driving through Bangkok was exactly how I expected, bustling streets, vast shopping malls, fancy hotels and grand Thai architecture side by side with delapatated, sad looking buildings in need of repair and a lick of paint.
Our first night in Bangkok was spent exploring and sampling one or two Chang beers followed by world famous Thai cuisine, Pad Thai, from the food stall outside the hotel and with our hotel located amongst the hustle and bustle of Khao San Rd any of these things are ever far away. Thursday was spent relaxing by the pool but being travellers and all we decided to book a full day city tour for Friday.
Setting off at 8:30am we were greeted at our reception by Sanny, a local and our guide for the day. It turmns out to be just me and Sarah on the tour and were quickly hurrying towards the river in a taxi. Here we pick up a boat and after an hour of meandering through waterways passing through traditional Thai culture on the way, we arrive at our first stop of the day, The Temple of Dawn. The Temple is visually spectacular although the early morning sun is already draining. After exloring the Temple we head back on the river towards The Recling Buddah and finally on to the Grand Palace, bot of which are simply stunning to see, incrdible architecture and attention to detail but it's provingfar too hot and despite our lack of enthusiasm to be out int he sun, Sanny our guide insists on taking photos of us infront of everything we see!! After a very educational / cultural day we head back to the hotel hoping to cool off in the pool only for it to be thunder and lightening, which means a trip to the night market is off the cards aswell. welcome to Thain rainy season!!
After a fantastic time and start to our adventures it;s time to depart Bangkok...for now. However, this is Thailand and nothing is ever that simple!! The relentless rain each evening caused major landslides in Northern Thailand meaning trains were not longer travelling directly to Chiang Mai so instead of our preferred methoid of transport, the overnight train, we opt for the bus. Bus tickets booked for the following morning we arrive early to be sure only to be greeted head on with how Thai time actually operates. Everything is so relaxed here, depsite the chaos, so instead of departing Bangkok at 8:30am we actually depart at 12:30pm...will we ever arrive in Chiang Mai!?
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