Hey hey

So, I was gonna write this yesterday but came back to my hotel very late. As a result, I only got one hour online last night to check my E-Mails, the msgboard, etc.

Anyway, now it's 1100 AM and my tour starts this evening with a group meeting. After I wrote my last blog, I went to grab some dinner (given that I ate breakfast on the plane and drank lots during the day. I ended up going down a local place on the streets of Banglamphu (wheer my hotel is) and there were plenty of tables outside packed with locals and a few tourists. I though to myself, 'must be good if it's this popular even with the locals'. So, I sat down to some steamed duck with a nice Thai curry and some chili sauce. The big mistake was the chili sauce...Not that I'm one unfamiliar with chili, but I pretty much ate a spoonful of the stuff as I thought, 'yeah, I can handle chili no probs'. It was hot. Very hot.
The sufficiently filling meal and a long bottle of Coca Cola came to less than 2 quid - incredible, I know. However, finding my way back to the hotel was a task and-a-half. I was walking around at nine or ten o'clock and walked up and down the streets of Banglamphu unsure of which path I had taken. I ended up spending close to an hour trying to navigate myself before submitting and asking a local. They're all really friendly and speak english, as they're used to many tourists and backpackers.

Friday morning and I've got a plan for the day (what I spent the evening formulating in my room with my guidebook). I woke up and realised I needed to be prompt to make the 1000 or 1030 tour of the Grand Palaca. Due to mu laziness and late breakfast, I didn't make it. Didn't stop me going though.
I decided to go by riverboat - a very cool experience. Once I got to the Grand Palace, I walked around not knowing what I was really looking at, but nonetheless couldn't help being awestruck by the grandure of the temples and intricacy of the sculptured buildings, huge golden/emerald Buddhas and extremely high, hand-painted walls.
After the Grand Palace, I was next visiting Wat Pho - home of the reclining Buddha. It's huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge. This time though, I got myself a tour guide for 200 Baht with a fairly strong accent but understandable. He taught me loads about the temple, including belief that Buddha's features have significance. Long Ears means long life, long nose means intelligence, and curly hair means enlightenment. Two out of three ain't bad, right? ;) Funnily enough, when I told the guide I was a student from London and going to Imperial, he wasn't familiar with Imperial but was familiar with Oxford, Cambridge and KINGS! hahaha\

After the tour I had a Thai massage at the home of Thai massagaes - Wat Pho. Thirty minutes later and I actually did feel more relaxed. That didn't stop the sweltering Sun fry every uncovered inch of my skin though. It was boiling; expected this time of year though.

As I walked from Wat Pho unsure about where next to go, a Thai gentleman asked where I was going. As usual, I dismissed the guy as another Tuk Tuk driver and said, 'no, thank you'. However, I ended up chatting with this guy as he told me he was a police officer (must have been off-duty as not in uniform). After discovering I was from London, we chatted about football before he told me where I should go. He was really a nice guy and circled places on my map. He then told me he can get a Tuk Tuk driver to take me to all the places he pointed out for 40 Baht - result! So, off I was on my first Tuk Tuk journey. Was great fun and I went to a suit tailor (promotional week whether they deal with individuals - usually only export to countries), Import/Export jewellery store, Marble temple, and a nearby street market. At one point, the Tuk Tuk driver recommended I take a motorcyle taxi (yes, they exist) to take me to the market, as there would be too much afternoon traffic. So, without a second thought, I did. Plus, I didn't pay the Tuk Tuk driver as I bought some souvenirs from a gift shop hence giving him discounted petrol! The motorcylcle taxi was crazy fun. I then went through the market and browsed as the only tourist amongst hundreds of Thais - I felt a sense of accomplishment having gotten off the beaten track. After walking down the long street market (and being approached my many vendors/raffle ticket salespeople believing I was Thai), I tried finding my way back to Banglamphu. Bad idea. I again had to ask many locals where to go as I tried to find a good Roti bar that my guidebook mentioned. After a lot of walking, I found it and had a good dinner of Roti with Thai Beef curry. Finding my way home after was a bit of a walk, but I managed.

So, loads of photos from yesterday. And, no need to worry - I'm eating well (breakfast included in hotel), drinking lots (free drinks in tailor suit place - I'm going back there!) and having fun. I feel like I did a lot of 'tourist things' yesterday morning and went off doing my own thing in the afternoon. It was a great day with lots of experiences (including three different transport types!). Now I'm gonna upload some photos before taxi-ing it back to the suit place to falsify interest to get free beverages. Plus, I got plenty of other stuff planned which I'll fill you in on later, depending whether I did/did not do it.

Oh, and my organised tour starts tonight! Group meeting and dinner XD Meeting in the lobby of the hotel I am currently in. I had to move rooms to the room the tour have booked for me. Felt kinda sad leaving my old room (even though just a couple floors above), as it makred more independece. A time where I was entirely on my own and doing Bangkok my way. Still, lots more to come!

Until next time, may the Force be with you.

Darryl