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Just recovering from our first two days in Bangkok. We arrived yesterday at around 4pm local time and headed straight to NapPark hostel right near the backpackers hotspot of Khao San Road. After settleing in we headed to Khao San road to sample a bit of the nightlife. We found a lively place, full of street vendors, bars, resturants, and copious amounts of scammers and touts offering "deals" on everyting from tuk tuk rides to tailored Armani suits!
This morning, following a fairly long lie in to try and combat jet lag we went out for a spot of sightseeing. First stop was Wat Pho, home to one of the largest reclining buddas in Thailand along with a number of other spectacular looking temples. Following this we took travelled by Tuk Tuk (a somewhat hairy experience) to the "Golden Mountain" which was essentially a large mound with a budda at the top. From here we headed back to the hostel to change in to trousers order to be 'dressed appropriately' to visit the Grand Palace. On arrival we were told by what seemed like a very kind and helpful person to ignore all the huge signs saying "Entrance" and head for another booth where his mate would be able to get us in! Everywhere in Bangkok, the people we have met have been exceptionally friendly, though the majority have all appeared to see us as a large cash sponge to squeeze! Like Wat Pho, at the Grand Palace, we were confronted by yet more spectaular and elaboratly decorated buildings such as the Temple of the Emerald Budda which housed, as you might of guessed, yet another Budda. It was a stunning place though James, in a Karl Pilkington-esqe comment described it as "a bit over the top" suggesting that one amazing temple would be adequate. Our visit appeard to coincide with a State function that included a large number of ceromonial guards on show and the arrival of a number of dignitaries in posh cars apart from the one lad who showed up in a clapped out Volvo (a sight Dave was particularly happy to see!).
Tomorrow we head for Siem Reap in Cambodia, the gate way to the Ankor Wat ruins. From what we hear we have a daunting 8 hour trip ahead of us including 5 hours on a Thai Bus. Wish us luck!
Ant, Dave and James
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