I arrived off my Emirates flight this morning at around 1am, and again I was immediately reminded that, while traveling you must always be prepared for the most fool proof of plans, to make a fool of you. I had intended to get Bangkok's wonderful Sky Train to my hotel, but alas, as it was so late the train was not running and I had to get a cab.
I managed to get to the hotel with out being over charged and paid the driver 700 baht, checked in and went straight up to bed, only pausing long enough to check out the view and set an alarm for the morning.
I awoke long before my alarm went off and got up, showered and went out with the only intention being to get my bearings, and breakfast as an afterthought, as I know most places in Bangkok don't open for breakfast.
I knew if I could find the closest Sky Train station I would be ok. I found it almost straight away and went to check it out. I ended up buying a ticket which gives me 15 trips over 45 days. I then jumped on the train and went off to Siam Square. As it was still pretty early I opted to have some breakfast at a bakery. I paid 51 baht for my breakfast, about $1.50 and managed to have some food left over for lunch.
I then jumped back on the train and got off at the stop for the ferry terminal, as all the temples or Wats are along the river. I bought a day ticket for 120 baht and proceeded down to the dock. I couldn't help thinking as I walked along, how easy this had all been so far.
I boarded the ferry and got off at the station for the Grand Palace, which I found with no issues when I got off the ferry. I paid to get in and was instantly gob smacked by the place. I could use the word opulent a thousand times and it still wouldn't cover it. The giant gold stupor, the largest in the world was magnificent and covered in tiny gold tiles. Guardian giants protected the doorways to the palace and statues, the shrine of the Jade Buddha. I went in to have a look at the Buddha, though not before being yelled at for not taking off my shoes. It was amazing, the tiny green Buddha, was seated atop a mountain of gold and jewels. Light came in from the windows and refracted off all the surfaces in the room, making the otherwise dark space, glitter like the sea in the morning sun.
Upon leaving the Grand Palace, I re-boarded the ferry and headed off to Wat Po, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. This was absolutely spectacular. The Buddha was in a shrine that only just fit him in. His huge face looked out from between the temple's pillars, serenely at all his admirers. The statue was so big and there was so little room in the temple that it was impossible to get a shot of the whole thing.
After Wat Po, I got another small ferry across the river to Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn. This one I had already visited while I was here on a conference, but as it was so close I couldn't pass up the chance for another look.
This temple really is awe inspiring, it is Bangkok's oldest temple and it is decorated with pieces of broken plates. It is amazingly steep, although I managed to climb to the top later, I distinctly remember having to hold on as I looked up towards the temple's peak as the point where it seemed to pierce the sky made the whole Earth feel like it was moving beneath me and put me off balance.
I had loads more to see on the river, but I was getting a bit tired, so I thought I would save it for another day. I headed off to Sukhumvit for a bit of lunch, I am ashamed to say I had lunch in an Irish Pub, although they did serve Thai food. I then went off for a foot massage as my feet were killing me…and then a traditional Thai massage. The thing about Thai massage is, it kind of feels like a mix between going to Physio, Pillaties and common assault. I was pulled, whacked, pinched, prodded and literally walked all over.
I had been using the Sky Train all day so I decided to walk back to Siam Square, via Star Bucks, which is awesome here and very welcome after a day of walking around in 35 degree humidity! I managed to reach Siam Square and grab some breakfast for tomorrow, though not before being trapped in and market area from which there was absolutely no escape with out slowly trudging past every shop. After the market ordeal, and not buying anything for once, I jumped back on the Sky Train and headed back to my own station and the comfort of my hotel.