We were intending on catching the 7am train to Bangkok but after much thought we decided not to! It meant that we would have been in Bangkok to early to check in to the hotel, we wouldn't get breakfast and we'd have to get up early! Instead, we caught the 9.45 bus and arrived in Bangkok at about 12noon. We got a free lift to the bus station again just in time for the bus. We had been warned about the traffic today because of the red shirt protests but we hadn't realised how bad it would be! We spent an hour in the taxi trying to negotiate the traffic and then we found ourselves in amongst the parade that was intended to cause chaos on the roads around Bangkok! The protestors were all very happy and were having a good time! They certainly didn't look like they wanted to start any trouble and were pleased to see us!
Our hotel is the tallest building in Thailand so we could see it pretty much all the way in the taxi. When we arrived it was surrounded by 'proper' Thailand with all the street stalls. As soon as I went to pick up my bag the bell boy whisked them away and led us inside where he issued us a ticket and disappeared with our bags!! We're so not used to being posh! We then went up to the lobby on the 18th floor where we were greeted by some very friendly staff who didn't appear shocked to see us checking in..luckily! We were then given our key cards and let loose in the building!! We found our room and it was wow's all round! The view is incredible, we can see for miles and the room was pretty snazy too! We've got 2 beds, a living area, a dressing area and a huge bathroom..with a bath! Woop! There are lots of freebies and we even get slippers and dressing gowns!! Happy days! We decided to treat ourselves and ordered lunch via room service! Was very snazy and yummy! We could get used to this!
After enjoying the view and chillaxing, we decided that we ought to see Bangkok for real! We are close to the area of Siam which is quite modern, with cinemas,skywalks and shopping centres. We made our way along the stall lined streets in the intense humidity and to the main Siam area. We saw a special Erawan shrine and some very posh hotels and shops! We wandered along the main street, popping into shopping centres for some aircon every few hundred metres! We found ourselves mooching through MBK which is a huge shopping centre. We weren't too keen as it had the market feel but at very high prices! We settled for a fruit shake before making our way over the road to the Siam Paragon. This was less hectic and with proper shops, but still with the high prices! We mooched through it and checked out the posh cinema in the connecting building. Although it doesn't sound like we did much, it took a while to walk between places and around the centres, they aren't as simple as those at home! We can tell we are coming to the end as we are shattered again! I keep getting back ache, possibly because I need another massage, and although we haven't done much today we were both exhausted! Time was getting on so we went back to the hotel for some grub! We were asked if we were OK as we got out of the lift..they obviously didn't think we should be staying here now..perhaps because of all the posh people dressed up to go to the bar up top!
I got to have a bath while Mark caught up on news on tv. The view at night from our room is impressive with all the lights. We're quite happy here (in the hotel), think we may stay instead of coming home!