Day 3
Today we did a bit of exploring. We got the train to the pier (30 bahts each) then got a boat to the Grand Palace - There are people at the harbor trying to push tourists to get a day trip for 150 bahts but the trip is 30 bahts one way so it's not worth it. They didn't actually ask us for any money on the boat so we got the trip there for free! The harbors are full of little market stalls so once you get through them the Grand Palace is right in front of you. It's 400 bahts pp to get in and there are free tours once inside! Market stalls outside the palace are at the ready waiting for tourists to turn up with shorts or vests. You will be sent away from the entrance if you do not have your legs and shoulders covered. It is an amazing place from the intricate, stunning, architecture to the ancient stories painted on the walls. The whole place has an overwhelming spiritual feel. Thai people are allowed free access, so they come to pray to the emerald Buddha. In front of the temple people wet roses in holy water and sprinkle the water on their head. They also light candles and kneel on the mat outside, praying to a mini statue of Buddha then put gold leaf on it. Our tour guide was funny (and free). He took us on a quick tour then left us to explore on our own.
Next to the palace is Wat Pho, the reclining Buddha. This is 50 bahts pp and inside there really is a massive Buddha having a lie down. My camera angle was a bit off so it looks like Buddha has a bush in a rude place.... Total accident :/
Oh I missed out the mini adventure we had between the Grand Palace and the reclining Buddha! Walking between the two we got stopped by a lovely Thai man who could speak really good English. He told us the reclining Buddha was shut but his friend could take us around 4 temples and a firework display for 40 bahts. (I know we've been warned of the scams but it sounded like a really good idea and cheap!) so we accepted and jumped aboard the Tuk tuk. He gave us a map so we knew where we were going... The first temple was deserted. Just me, Lee, the Tuk Tuk driver and some random Thai men sitting under a tree. It was a little scary because when we told the Tuk Tuk driver we wanted to go to the next temple he told us to have a look around the back of the temple... It was like a white standard house outside?! We didn't know whether a man was waiting to mug us or if they thought they'd done a really good paint job? Either way it felt weird so we ran off down an alley an got the first taxi that came past :/ ha we hadn't paid a penny so no loss and we gained a good map of Bangkok! Oh n the Thai man had lied the reclining Buddha was open!
After we'd visited the reclining Buddha we used our new map to find China town and took another, short, boat ride - this time we had to pay. Erm China town... It was smelly! Loads of markets, shops, food and herbs so the smell was overwhelming. The Gate to China town was beautiful but everything else just seemed dirty :/ We were starving but no where seemed clean then we found a Chinese street vender cooking Chow Mein. I didn't drink the free water (wasn't bottled) Lee had a swig... It was nice and cheap. A bit strange eating from a plate, on a table, on a road with motorbikes going past but hey hoe bin there done that don't fancy doing it again.
We looked at the map and we had walked miles so we thought, Lee thought, let's save some money and walk to Koh San Road.... Miles!!! We ended up stopping at a 7 eleven and buying a bottle of Vodka (599 Bahts) and some sprite and coke. We stopped in a park made a little drink each and continued the journey. By Koh San Road we were a little merry! We loved it there. It was busy, cheap and everybody seemed happy. We saw our first official lady boy perched on a car outside the bar. No big feather bowers, like I expected, just a boy wanting to be a girl (prostitute)... A nice Thai man asked if we wanted to see a 'ping pong' show so I left Lee to discuss prices whilst acting mortified but really intrigued!!! They decided 300 bahts to get there and see the show... The Tuk Tuk drove all the way back to Silom (near our hotel) then into an industrial looking back alley. As we walked in the doorman said 500 bahts. Lee and the man had a little discussion about the price difference but the man was adamant 500 bahts so Lee dragged me away as a bluffing attemp (to save £4?) next min the Tuk Tuk drove after us saying 'I will talk to him, tell him 300 baht'. By the way we hadn't paid anything yet not even for the Tuk Tuk. The driver told us to wait on the main road whilst he went back to talk.... Lee didn't fancy his chances against the gang of men sitting outside so again we flagged a taxi n did a runner back to the hotel! so no ping pong show but a second lesson learnt DO NOT TRUST THE TUK TUK DRIVERS!