Day 91 26th feb
We wake up early... I don't think either if us are sleeping that well anymore, but we've made a decision to eat breakfast within the hotel... It feels a little sad really.... Our trips at its end and we are back where we started.... Our outlook has changed between visits to this hotel and we're less energetic than we used to be... It's a little like we're winding down whilst reliving our initials few days here, hence the decision to hand a chicken club sandwich for breakfast.. We'd enjoyed these last time we were here and they've lost non of there appeal....
From breakfast we'd planed to go to the Grand Palace.... This was somewhere we attempted to visit twice when we last stayed in Bangkok, but we were unsuccessful both time, and as we walk toward a line of waiting Tuk Tuks it appears we are going to be out of luck again... We only have large note available so we have a quick change of plan... We walk to the leather shop and after 20 minutes of looking Shiree finally settles on a pink purse.... We buy the purse and with the receipt we are given a discount of 260Bt on our next purchase.... This sends Shiree off on another hunt around the shop and despite the possibility of having to spend another 20 minutes looking at handbags, boots and bags it actually becomes a blessing in disguise.... With her new purse in one hand Shiree finds another one she likes more..... and thankfully we manage to negotiate an exchange with a cash payment for the difference.. Exchanges or refunds are not common in Asia so we are pleased, plus the second purse is much nicer than the first and worth every penny of the extra cost in my opinion....
We return to the hotel to change into long sleeved tops and trousers for our 4th attempt at the grand palace.... It's roasting in the midday heat so we are relieved to finally gain entry into the palace grounds... We're surprised the place is open as the protesting that closed it last time has now escalated, but it is not only open, it's reasonably busy.....
The Grand Palace is the jewel in Bangkok's mass collection of temples crown..... It's absolutely unbelievable and well worth the effort required by us to get here... The decoration of the buildings within the Grand Palace is second to non... The buildings are draped with tiny mirrors, stones and tiles that cover every inch of available space on the building and its a real tribute to the effort, commitment and drive of the people who created them....
It's a really hot place to be, with very little shade and strangely nowhere to buy water so we leave the Grand Palace in search of a little cafe we visited in the water were we enjoy a nice bottle of Chang whilst watching the boats go by.... The Grand Palace has been a really enjoyable way of finishing off our last day and we are now glad that our previous attempts to visit were unsuccessful.... It's been nice to revisit places we went when first here and spend some time reminiscing, but in the same breath to visit somewhere new has been lovely.....
From the riverside cafe we catch the hop on hop off river ferry from pier 9 to pier 13 and walk through to our hotel... How hotel has a shop offering massager near the entrance and Shiree dives in for another foot massage whilst I go and lye down as I'm not feeling 100%. When she's finished we have a Masaman curry at the hotel... The curries are pretty large and a finish mine and half of Shiree's before returning to the room to pack up some things... Our intention was to visit China Town tonight followed by a Ping Pong show but I'm now feeling more ropey... I'm not sure if its the amount I've just eaten or I've dehydrated myself a little whilst being around the palace... Either way I'm reluctant to move, let alone go out for more food, and as neither of us are that bothered about not doing what we initially intended we stay around the hotel. We have an hours sleep before leaving the hotel for a local wonder... I'm still after photos of Tuk Tuks and there are a couple if T shirts that I'm still looking for so out we go... We've got a bit if money to spend before tomorrow so Shiree takes herself off another massage... The second of the day, this time for a head massage and I just wonder the busy streets of Bangkok whilst I still can... I'll be very sorry to be leaving tomorrow... I'm a definite fan of Asia and really have enjoyed all if it....
A walk back to the hotel via the Kho San Road for the last time before joining Shiree back at the hotel for our last nights sleep.... The taxi is booked for a 05.30 collection time and the alarm is set for 04.45.....
It's a long day tomorrow and 23.00 is late enough....