Eagerly up early this morning to see the monkeys.
It only took a two minute walk and we found some swinging from the electricity cables, eating anything they could get their hands on and fighting with one another.
We took a look at the biggest ruin in town. It was swarmed with monkeys of all sizes. Not brave enough to let the monkeys climb all over us, we just observed from a distance.
Tired of monkeying around we headed back to the guest house for breakfast and to collect our bags before heading to the train station.
Today's train experience had to be better than yesterday's, and it was. Within 3 hours we would be in 'The Big Mango!'.
The train was full on arrival at the platform, so we had to stand. This was cool with us but was made annoying by the old biddies that sell food and drinks, walking up and down and back and forth, screeching at the top of their voice, and squeezing past everyone on a packed out train (see picture).
On schedule at 12pm, and having secured a seat for the last hour of the journey, we had arrived.
Vehicles galore, skyscrapers scatter the skyline, touts selling anything and everything that nobody wants to buy, and the pleasant smell of open sewers...BANGKOK BABY!!
We hopped on the Underground to Sukhumvit, the area we decided we would scan for a bed. Deciding on a district to stay in is nearly impossible! It was a kind of 'close the eyes and point the finger' on this decision. But Sukhumvit was one of the best districts; known for its shopping and nightlife.
Ridiculously spicy pork and vegetables, alongside beef noodle soup was found for lunch and a much needed ice cream helped calm the taste buds while finding a hotel.
After door knocking on a few hotels and guesthouses we eventually found a guesthouse that I recognised from the 'bible' ; Suk 11. The write up informed us of a popular 100 room place that needs to be booked 2 weeks ahead of time. With fingers crossed we took a look anyway. We found exactly as lonely planet described; 'an oasis of woods and greenery in an urban jungle'. This place was crazy cool and they had a room. It would be the most expensive room yet on our travels and we would have to chose to have a shared bathroom/toilet to keep the cost down. Still a darn site cheaper than the others we had viewed today and so unbelievably cool, we were in. Room 407, top floor. We explored the stairs and hallways of the building, finding amazing roof top getaways with hammocks and deck chairs, small communal areas with a library of books and DVDs. A check of the spotless and massive communal bathroom, and we were even more pleased with our find. It felt like we were in a theme park, walking through the maze of queuing entertainment before getting to the ride at the end. Eventually we found our room, just like the pictures. A massive bed, air con, a place to hang you clothes, and 'what's this door?', 'a toilet, in our room?!?!' BONUS!! 'Oh, and we have a balcony!' (open balcony door) 'it has a sink on it!' (Look behind balcony door) 'there's a shower, on the balcony!!!!' We hit the big time. Ok so it's not the Four Seasons, but we had a private room with a toilet, a quirky outside shower on the balcony, and all in a funky hotel, for $25 a night! Pleased as punch we showered and got ready for the afternoon and evening in the city. We payed for a second night and said nothing about our room (and the fact that it had a bathroom when we hadn't payed for it!).
We spent the evening looking at expensive shops in the air conditioned shopping malls, eating authentic Thai Burger King, and a trip to Pat Pong market. Siobh was keen to see the 'ping pong show' and also to see the lady boys shows. Both were offers we were given, but not taken up.