Had a very nice day today. Got up late. Went to the Suan Pakkad Palace (used to be a cabbage farm - so it's translated to be the Cabbage Palace in English!! Made me laugh!) It was a really lovely collection of Teak houses on sticks set in a small graden with ponds and fish etc - was very nice and quite different to the rest of Bangkok. To get there I had to use the MRT (subway) and the skytrain. That was cool too - very clean and efficient and some great views from the sky train. Also, it was the first time I'd been out of the area that I'm staying in (the area I'm staying in is quite big and there's lots to see - I'm not being lazy!) The area of Bangkok I went to today was much more modern and more like what you'd expect of a city. Lots of skyscrapers and glass buildings etc. If you don't like grime and poor areas, this would be the place to visit. Now comes the most exciting bit................!!! I went to a shopping mall called the MBK centre - because in my guide book they said they have a great food hall and they were right!!!! It was so cool!! I loved it!!! I got so excitied that at one point I thought my head might explode!! When you get there it's on the 5th floor. As you go in you get this card (they're really into their RFID tagging here (magnetic cards like oyster cards - thought i better explain for non-materials students)) Anyway - so you get given this card then you enter what I can only describe as utter heaven!! There are millions of food stalls each selling food from differnt places in the world and ITS ALL SOOOOOOO CHEAP!!!! And you go round and buy food from which ever counter you want - give them the card and they put the price on it (no money exchanged). The food is amazing and wonderfully presented and I got to eat at nice tables, in leather chairs, with at least 2 waitresses serving me. It was so good!! I could have died!! incredible desserts which you'd find in French Patisseries (Patisserie Valerie fans would love it!!) Indian, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Blah blah blah...... If you can't find something you like, quite frankly you don't deserve to live!! It was so great! I had Vietnamese rice pancakes filled with pork and vegetables and then I had indian samosas and then sadly i was full - but next time i go (and I will be going again!!) I'll starve myself beforehand so I can eat loads!!! Oh - you pay as you leave - obviously. I was so excited I forgot to take any photos - sorry. Another excuse to go again!! Started reading my book on Buddhism last night - very interesting - sounds like a good religion. Unlike most other religions - they have no rules!! And it all sounds very sensible (don't worry - i'm not turning into a hippy or a buddhist or anything) I can see why over 90% of the Thai population are Buddhists. I'm only a quarter of the way through the book so I'm sure I'll have some more highly interesting thoughts on the subject later!! Off for dinner in a minute (although I'm sure it won't even come close to lunch). If anyone comes to Bangkok it would be a crime not to visit the MBK 5th floor Eating place! I would never speak to you again - it'd be unforgivable!