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Hi Everyone!
Well, this should be the last entry from Thailand and even more likely, from this trip. However, there's still some to tell of our travels so let me fill you in on the day since I obviously didn't want to waste my last full day here.
As it was mentioned, I went off on my own for a little bit while Jocelyn remained here at the hostel since she wasn't feeling well still. This seems to be brought on by the heat more than anything so today was the day that she definitely needed to be inside as it was by far the hottest day we've had here in Thailand so far. I don't want to even imagine how things would have gone if she'd attempted to come.
So, after getting up and packing our things we headed in our separate directions- I with my iced coffee in search of a "bus" and Jocelyn to locate some food at a local food cart.
I grabbed my "bus" and headed off to the skytram station at Pha Khanong so that I could head back towards Siam. From there it was a hop onto the floor below so I could catch another line that would take me to the central pier (Taksin). Once I arrived it was only a quick look around to determine which was the appropriate boat. There were people set up to take you on tours that would cost anywhere from 1,000-2,000 THB or I could be the savvy world traveler, follow the crowd and hop on a boat for 40 THB (rough idea of what I'm talking about-- it's about 30 THB to $1 USD... so I paid roughly $1.33 instead of between $30-$60).
My intentions were to go to the Grand Palace (shown as the blog entry photo). I got off on my stop and began navigating through the street market on my way to the Grand Palace. I was surrounded by food and by the little trinkets that it seemed everyone in Bangkok possessed to sell. After a little while I was stopped by a random guy who wanted to help me. He asked where I was from and then began telling me about all of the places I should go. I wouldn't tell him what my plans were as I was fully aware he was stopping me in order to get me to hop in the tuk tuk of some friend so that I could be taken on a tour. I didn't have the time (or patience as by now the heat and the massive crowds were bugging me) so I kindly thanked him for his advice and kept on walking. The only thing I learned from him that was of interest, as I was already full aware of what was in the area, how much it would cost to view each stop AND how to get a tuk tuk on my own (and barter the price if necessary) was that the Grand Palace had shut down at 2pm for a special ceremony. I figured I'd investigate on my own later but decided to head over to Wat Pho to see the Lounging Buddha.
Now, I've mentioned another Buddha that Jocelyn and I saw at Ayutthaya but that was nothing in comparison to the one that I saw today. The one I saw today was about two stories tall and spanned across an entire building. In all honesty, I'm not sure what the dimensions are but it was fascinating and gold. The feet had images etched of different Buddha's in Mother of Pearl. It really was stunning. This was just part of what you could see there so I walked around for two hours or so, taking photos and looking at all of the sights within this one temple.
There were stone statues of warriors, dragons, dogs, cats, and countless other animals, beasts and interesting individuals. My favorites were sets of stone statues that were about 10 feet tall that were men with top hats all chiseled out of stone. They guarded entrances and exits to certain areas of the courtyards. When I'm back home I'll be sure to update the blog with the photos that I took.
After leaving I went and began my trek around the outside of the Grand Palace as the entrance was on the complete opposite side of the grounds from where I had exited the other temple. Walking to the opposite side took roughly 10 minutes and the sun beat into my back the entire way. Any ounce of shade was occupied by people attempting to escape its glare and there were more umbrellas out today than I saw when we went through the random thunderstorm at the floating market a few days ago.
I finally rounded the corner and was able to duck into a little shade while I began searching for my wallet to see if I would need any money in the event the palace was open. As it happens, I was walking past when a guard stopped two men that were obviously headed toward the front entrance and asked if they were trying to go see the palace. After saying "yes" she apologized and explained that it had been closed for the day for a special ceremony. So, while the guy that stopped me was trying to get some extra fare for his buddy, he was at least being honest with me regarding the Palace.
I took a look at the time and decided that the heat was more than enough of a reason to throw in the towel and start the trek back. I had left at noon and it was already four!
So I hopped back on the boat and welcomed the idea of arriving at the central pier so that I could hop back on the skytram... because it's air conditioned. I wanted to apologize to everyone around me until it occured to me that the majority of people on the tram had been with me at the pier. We were all drenched in sweat. I quickly made plans on getting cleaned up once I returned to the hostel.
So as you may have read before, Jocelyn and I were unsuccessful in catching a "bus" back to the hostel when we'd gone out a few days ago to Siam and had eventually caught a cab back. I decided that I was going to make the attempt one more time to travel as the Thai do every day instead of going the "tourist" way out.
Surprisingly, it was very simple. I didn't have to wave anyone down. I didn't have to wait or try and push my way on. A "bus" was just sitting there waiting with two other people on it. I double-checked just to be sure it was going my way and then hopped. Simple as that!
Once I got back I came and chatted with Jocelyn for a few before excusing myself to get cleaned up. I'm happy to say that I've managed to leave Thailand with some clean clothes and never had to do laundry! 100 THB well-saved and I can take care of the laundry when I get home tomorrow!
We went and returned our movies and then Jocelyn insisted that I needed to get something to eat as I hadn't all day. The heat's been squashing any hunger I've had in me so I haven't eaten normal meals since getting to Bangkok. So I picked up a quick microwaveable meal at the tesco a couple doors down from the movie rental store and came back. Yes. I got a microwaveable meal instead of street food. As I told Jocelyn, I'm over the uncertainty and I'd just rather eat something that I know is tolerable as I didn't see any sticks of grilled chicken on my way to the store (the only thing I'm positive I'll enjoy). Sadly, we passed just this on the opposite side of the street 2 minutes later.
As a final toast, we both got sherbert floats (she got lime and I had orange) as a drink to cool off with and are now just waiting about 45 more minutes before heading off to the airport to sit and wait. We could have gone sooner but I'm not sure if we'll have internet there, our flight's not until 10:30pm (which is slightly better given I thought it was at 11pm) so we'll be waiting there too anyways (more expensive temptations there than here), this place has a working computer and therefore I can update you easier here than anywhere else until I get home, and well... why not?
So there you are- up to speed on how things are going and now you know that by the time you read this, we will be either at the airport or homeward bound. Either way, we'll be seeing you soon!!!
Thank you Thailand for the adventures, the stories and the experience. And thank you everyone for following us on our travels!
Until next time!! :)
- comments
auntie Dominique Hi ladies, hope you made it home safely. Thanks for taking us on your trip to Thailand with you, your adventures were so exciting, I'm not as brave as you, so travelling this way is much safer (and tastier....eg...rat), love the photos. Take care. Love, autnie Dom