One Day in Bangkok

Another clear, dry, very warm day awaited us. After a very good breakfast, where yours truely set the toaster on fire ( never put crossiants in the rotary toaster) we set off to catch a river ferry to the Kings Palace. Ferry was very crowded, but enjoyable (met a grumpy sercurity guard at one of the piers who insisted on tapping me (forceably) with his walkietalkie antennae to move downstairs.

From the river

Another unknown temple

 Anyway got off at the correct pier only to be confronted by a mass of guide tours (wall to wall people). There was a long que to get pants for Regan (must be covered, so no shorts allowed), so we skipped going inside. 

Palace from outside

Caught a tuktuk back to the hotel (it was a brief short excursion). 

Tuktuk driver

Refreshed then caught a cab downtown to the MBK mall. 

This an enormous mall unlike anything I have ever seen

What a place, wall to wall shopping Evan would love it. After that mall Regan led me to yet another mall, all looking to find a specific brand of glasses and ralph loren shirt for Evan, but no luck. On the 4th floor came across a car dealer, seriously. The cars were for serious shoppers -Rolls Royce, Jag's, Maseratis, lamborghais  and lotus's. Impressive. After 3 hours of looking and checking out Samsung products we grabbed a tuktuk back to the hotel ( to rest tired feet). Actually came across a H&M department store (go Sweden). 

couldn't believe the mass of humanity at these malls, as well as the contrast with Chinatown. Modern verses old time. Wide (multi lane road verses single lane (both ways). Types of prducts sold- name brands verses cheap chinese rip offs. Overall and interesting day. Actually saw a food shop called "Aunty Anne's". Regan had to get a shot to sent to my sister.

Tonight we are off to the night market, which should be interesting.

Observation: last night we set out to follow the Shanghai Mansions Food trail (Regan acting as guide). Well notice a large number of eating houses were offering shark fin soup (which I think is morally wrong). After walking the food trail and not finding one of the recommended eating houses but did see a rather large rat running around, we returned to the area around our hotel and ate at a resturant that specialised in shark fin soup (so much for taking a morale stand). The street food venders were extremely busy and couldn't find a spare seat.

Regan also introduced to to the Thai 7-eleven (who actually accept 1000 Baht notes). What they sell is very cheap by NZ standards.

Bangkok grows on you and I'm sure Lynley would enjoy visiting this place.

After dinner in the hotel - The Cotton resturant and bar (no live jazz until 8 pm), we took a taxi down to the Patpong night market. Anyone who has been to Penang island or Malysia would yhink they are back there with one exception- the strip joints. we were approached many times, some clubs even had near  naked young women outside tempting you in. Regan assured me that was the honey trap, the actual perforers would be more a 5 or lower (based on the movie 10). Sorry folks weren't tempted. Must observe they madethe moves on Regan not me, the old gramps tagging along. Brought a couple of itms, the locals weren't keen to haggle (well compared to when Regan was here 3 years ago).

An example of whats on offer.

you can only walk around a market so many times, so caught a tuktuk back to the hotel to rest the aching feet.

Tomorrow we head back to New Zealand not too soon for Regan as his cold/flu has really worn him down, he now has sore chest muscles from the constant coughing. Which reminds me, Karla txted us, she has the same cold but is in Helsinki sharing it with her host parents. Fun, fun-not.