Bangkok 17th December 2015

When you arrive in a country at 3am UK time, you just want to curl up and sleep in your airport transfer but Bangkok does not allow for this. Traffic laws are not really identifiable here. It made the M25 on a Friday at 5pm seem like a doddle. It wasn't just one car cutting the taxi off, but several as cars/taxis/tuk tuks change lane for no reason as we weren't going anywhere fast.

I was excited to be here I wanted to make sure I took it all in (but closed my eyes at some of the cross roads). It was not how I had pictured it. More sky scrapers and impressive buildings and on the dual carriage ways big shrines and posters in honour of the king and queen. I can't imagine having this at home without a graffiti moustache, but no sign of that here.

Day 1 and 2
It's difficult to summarise my 5 nights here. I did manage to pack a lot in. Thanks to Victoria and Nick I was armed with a map so at least I could try and get about. Though this involved crossing the road, not as easy as one might assume. Whoever told me to cross with the locals before I left, thank you!!! Many an old lady helped me cross the road in my first few days in Bangkok (I will need to return my brownie badge) between the buses, taxis and tuk tuks that just don't stop, even when there is a green man (what is the point then?!). Walking on the pavement was a challenge. On every square inch there was either a street food vendor offering me a piece of chicken that I did not recognise (and was sure that Waitrose did not stock it unless as a giblet) or a stall with elephant trousers in every shade of the rainbow.

My sense of direction is as good in Asia as it is at home but surely it is good to get lost in a city to really get to know it? And that I did. Getting my bearings for the Grand Palace and the river and a nice street to eat near my hotel was the my objective for the first day. I had my first Pad Thai for lunch or was it my breakfast? It was delicious what ever it was! I treated my tired and swollen feet to a foot massage when I realised 30 mins was only £2.75. I could get used to this! It was wonderful and I had a little snooze as well. In my ridiculously heavy luggage (24kg) I wish I had bought a pedometer as I am sure I walked about 8 miles in the first day.

Day 3

Now knowing the way to the Grand Palace I set off to beat the crowds (but there is one constant crowd being the main attraction in Bangkok) but it took 20 minutes just to cross the roundabout with everyone else on the equivalent of spaghetti junction. Got my ticket and a personal English speaking guide (thank you again Victoria and Nick for my tour) called KJ. She took me all around the palace and explained all the different parts (though I probably caught every other word) I got the gist and read my palms. She told me I was very independent. I wasn't overly impressed as I had just told her I was travelling solo for 7 months :) The palace was very grand (hence the name) but I wouldn't have appreciated without the tour that only one building was the palace the others were temples, libraries etc. After the palace KJ took me to Wat Pho (big gold reclining Buddha) and the flower market. This I was more impressed with as I wouldn't have thought to go there. Orchids are in abundance here and are 10 a penny. I should have bought some just to cheer up my boring hotel room. I also rode in my first tuk tuk. Hold on is all I would say as despite a constant traffic jam they will always find a route.

Day 4
Up early for my Floating Market tour today. After waiting 30 minutes for someone to pick me up ( I need to get used to fluid timings in Asia) I got a green sticker and jumped in a mini van with a group of other nationalities without a word of English spoken - I hoped I was going where I should have been! It was a good hour away. We passed so many people getting a ride in the back of a truck. Everyone was so smiley despite the smog. I definitely don't look that happy to be going to work on a morning, even though it is Bracknell :). The markets were a little disappointing as I was expecting to see locals buying fruit/veg/meat etc but all the stalls were for tourists selling similar souvenirs but it was a fun experience. There was no escaping if you showed any sort of interest. They got a hook and grabbed your boat! It was definitely a place to barter but unfortunately I didn't have Miss Skelton with me as my negotiator!
That evening I made the mistake of getting a taxi (cheap but slow, every hour is rush hour) to go across town to visit Lupini Park and meet Stuart (Robbie thank you for arranging!) I wanted to go to the park for one reason only, to see a dragon walking around as Simon and Tracey had recommended (thanks guys!) I was losing hope but eventually spotted one, though I didn't want to get too close. The park was a burst of activity, free aerobics (what a shame I didn't pack my trainers), joggers, muscle men, gym enthusiasts on the free equipment - very impressed Bangkok. There were MASSIVE cat fish in the river being fed whatever people were throwing in.
It was great to meet Stuart and Mam who made me feel very welcome and gave me lots of good advice including the best yet that my google maps gps would work without wi if, this will definitely minimise the time spent on wandering in the wrong direction!

Day 5

After an 11 hour sleep - hopefully the end of my jet lag I went (despite a positive review on trip advisor, remind me to update it) to the rubbish Vimanmek Palace Mansion (there is a reason the ticket is thrown in with the Grand Palace - let this be a lesson to me this trip free ticket = not worth it). However I did master the water boat, the quickest way to travel across town with great views and only 26p and the sky train for 71p (London transport you are a rip off!) though with a bit of a mix up with the stations I again did quite a long walk.
After my disappointing cultural morning I took myself to the cinema, mostly because it would have air con and I could have a sit down, to see Star Wars (well everyone else is seeing it). Before the film started, we were all up standing in honour of the king while a 3 minute videoed played of his life achievements. I know nothing about the chap but it certainly looked like he did a lot for the people and got his hands dirty. This may also explain all the shrines you pass for him on the street or motorway.

Day 6
After my venture to the other side of the city I promised myself a lazy day. What better than to use my welcome voucher for an hours Thai massage. After my amazing foot massage I was looking forward to it. I should have googled the Thai for gentle as I did not want to be bent backwards. My miming seemed to do the trick before we started and I got a fairly gentle massage until she started pummelling my neck and I told her to stop, I don't want to spend the rest of my trip crippled over. I then decided to ride up and down the river as I had nothing else to do! I also wanted to see the Grand Palace from the river as I was on the wrong side yesterday. I then met my Stray Asia group before we set off for our adventures. Expecting about 5 to 10 people it was a bit of a surprise when it was just me and Kat from Sydney. It was basically a private tour!
Last night in Bangkok I had a tasty Massaman and sticky rice. I have seen a lot of the city. The only thing I have missed is a visit to the Sky Bar for a fancy cocktail and to look at the views, next time. Im ready to move onto the next destination of Chiang Mai and to get out of the constant hustle and bustle of the pavements, roads and fumes. Except for my trip to the park I hadn't seen many trees.