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Hi guys! We're only 3 days into our trip but we've already done a lot, so thought we'd update while we had the chance!
At the moment we're sat on beanbags in a vegan/vegetarian restaurant we found, very comfortable and very chilled out which is just what we needed!
It's been a crazy couple of days, including tuk tuk rides, boat rides, rain which wouldn't be out of place in a monsoon, heat that makes you sweat minutes after leaving our room and much more!
So let's start at the beginning. Once we landed in Bangkok, we decided we'd continue to try and save money so we got the bus into town rather than a taxi. It wasn't a local bus, it ran specially from the airport to the road near where we are staying. After a slow journey through traffic, we got dropped at the end of Koh San Road. Unfortunately, we ended up walking all around the houses as we were a bit disorientated. After struggling with our bags down what seemed like random roads, we got to where we wanted to be.
After getting settled we headed out to Koh San Road, where every 3 seconds we would hear 'tuk tuk?' or 'buy a sexy suit for a sexy man' and of course, 'ping pong??'! They must really like their table tennis around here...
After fending off offers from every direction we headed back to get some sleep. Well, we say sleep, what we mean is lying awake for hours trying to sleep! Anyhow, after getting up quite late the next morning we decided to try and make our way to the Grand Palace. About halfway into our journey we got talking to a local, who seemed ridiculously friendly. After telling us the Palace was closed on a Sunday, he showed us other places he recommended on our map. He then hailed a tuk-tuk for us, where the driver agreed to take us to all these places and back to our hotel for 60baht (about £1.20).
The itinerary was as follows:
- The Standing Buddha (who is 50m tall),
- The first temple in Bangkok,
- Shopping,
- and then back to the hotel...or so we thought!
Here was the real itinerary:
- The Standing Buddha (after which Andy informed the driver we didn't want to go shopping, so to please just take us to the temple and then home),
- The first temple in Bangkok (where once we'd finished we discovered our driver had disappeared and left us there realising he wouldn't get his commission by taking us to the shops),
- Bartering with another driver who wanted 100baht to take us home, where we managed to get him to take us home for free, with one catch...
- Shopping! Yep, by letting him take us to a suit shop (where Andy enjoyed arguing with the shop assistant and buying nothing afterwards!) we got home for free! So we ended up going 'shopping' anyway but technically - result!
We're still not sure whether that 'friendly local' who hailed the tuk-tuk for us was genuinely a local or someone trying to get us to his shop!
Today was thankfully much less stressful. We got up early and took a boat ride down the river to 'The Grand Palace'. Everyone tried telling us it was closed (so they could take us to more shops!) but, they all lied. We walked round the various temples and buildings of the palace, which included seeing 'The Emerald Buddha'. He is only 66cm tall, but sat atop a huge monument made of gold and various other luxuries. It was absolutely beautiful, but photographs were not allowed.
We then headed to Wat Pho, better known as 'The Reclining Buddha'. This Buddha is 46m long and is lying down, made from gold leaf on top of concrete. Like everything else it was quite beautiful.
Whilst heading back to the pier to catch the boat home, the heavens opened and we were suddenly the only people still walking through the streets getting absolutely soaked! We quite liked it, it was nice to cool down as it has been so so hot and humid.
And that brings us to tonight! We've just finished our meal and are enjoying sitting on our cushions down this side street. We plan to head to the huge shopping mall tomorrow, then on Weds morning we get up at 5am to catch our coach and then catamaran to Koh Tao, can't wait! We will probably check in again a few days after settling in there.
Hope you are all well at home!
Andy and Nikki xxx
- comments
Arvind 3 days down... 362 to go!! This journey is going to be EPIC!! /Arvind
brenda Sounds like you've really hit the ground running! I will report back to grandma tomorrow when I go to see her. Take care and enjoy your stay. love
Lisa O sounds fab !!!!
katheryn hi to both....l am glad that you both settle down sorry for not speak to you but l will be at home tomrrow from 1pm please let me know if you both are free? all my love to both xxxxxxxxx
Ryan Sickkkkk Wannn' Gozzzaaaa... Fair play to you! This is why you were such a tight arse and I can't blame you one little bit! It sounds amaaaazing! Have a fab time with Nikki. I hope she doesn't still think I'm a weirdo haha! I'll be keeping an eye on this blog. With love, "I've come all the way from Lincoln to see you!" Ryan
zak this is great! such an experience! so so jealous.. keep it up, will be following with interest!
Chris J Amazing! I'm so happy that you guys are finally on your way after all that time penny pinching! I miss both of you loads, but im super stoked your having an awesome time! Keep the updates comming! :) xx