Bangkok or Bust

One Night in Bangkok was not enough for Paul and Carolyn.... so they stayed for 5! Day one they borrowed some free pushbikes (like the London Boris Bikes) and risked life and limb weaving through the crazy city traffic taking all the sights in on the way.

All other days were filled with fantastic Trailfinders trips (thanks everyone!) including a visit to the Royal Palace and temples. These buildings are all so majestic and grand, hosting one of the worlds largest reclining Buddha (at 46 meters long and 15m high) and one of the largest pure gold statues. The solid gold Buddha was only discovered by a group of Chinese business men 20 years ago when they were lifting what they thought was a concrete one. The concrete cracked revealing a 5 1/2 tonne pure gold statue inside. Result!

After a day of visiting so many temples (AKA Wats) they couldn't remember what Wat was what! So they took to the water... the River Kwai to be precise. When they approached the bridge, so famously known for being built by Prisoners of War in WW2 and eventually bombed by the allies to prevent it being used. Now it is saturated with fast food and tacky souvenir stalls. Tourists are goofing about on the bridge having crazy photos taken. Errr very respectful, not! A visit to the war memorial and Death Railway museum followed which highlighted the peril of the 1000's of POWs who died making the 450kms of railway from Thailand to Burma for the Japanese army. They then got to ride a rickety old train on the actual railway they made, which cut deep into the jungle and mountainside; a beautiful but poignant journey to make.

Last trip was to Ayuthaya - the old Capital of Thailand in the time of Siam. The old city is now in total ruins, having been destroyed and pillaged by the Burmese. What was left indicated signs of splendor in past times, now containing acres of headless Buddha statues. It seemed the Burmese were on the hunt for the gold inside as well.

Bangkok had so much more to offer Paul and Carolyn and they had only just scratched the surface, so they decided to spend more time in the city when they return there in August on their way home. However, they did find time to visit an almighty bar called Sirocco; not for the acrophobics! This is the worlds highest al fresco restaurant and bar. Unfortunately cocktails rivaled London prices, so they made their one cocktail last an hour, Paul sweating profusely in the trousers he had to wear due to the dress code as he has been wearing shorts the whole time we have all been out here.

The real surprise was a quick trip to Madame Tussauds Bangkok, which only opened 4 months ago. On the doorstep of their guesthouse in Siam Square, the sign dominated the skyline, inviting us in. We only went in for a nosey, but ended up spending HOURS in there. It was so much fun dressing up and playing on all the interactive sets in luxurious air conditioning.

In an attempt to find a new travelling buddy, Paul and Carolyn searched high and low over Bangkok for a new inflatable friend, which was weirdly hard to come by considering their nightlife choices! They almost gave up and then they found ME! Alan Wicker, the travelling Duck! I will now guide you through the rest of their adventures. Starting with Phnom Pehn, Cambodia's and their month at Who Will Children's Village (www.camkids.org/)

Cheers from

Alan Wicker, the travelling Duck (Paul & Carolyn x)