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This has taken a mega effort to update, sorry guys! I also can't add any of my own pictures so it may prove a little dry, dig deep and read on!
In my four days in Bangkok I learnt that you needn't have been worrying about my getting mugged or attacked its crossing the road when I take my life in my hands! Six lanes of traffic and just an extended arm to protect me from the onslaught!! I also learnt at I am happy in my own company. Maybe I'll come back a recluse!! Brief summary now...
Day 1 spent the day thinkin I was getting a bargain tour o the temples of Bangkok in a Tuk-Tuk (the love child of a mobility scooter and a wheelbarrow) that ended up in me getting ferried around shops in between temples. Managed to resist urge to buy anything, maybe out o annoyance. Later found out from a Belgium ex pat that the drivers get vouchers for petrol from the government if they take you to shops. Ended my mammoth tour at the Grand Palace. Pretty spectacular place. Thais really love their monarch!i know we've got Liz II on all the stamps and coins, here there are huge monument things EVERYWHERE! Stupid me had my bingo wings out so was forced to wear my cardigan all day for reasons of modesty. 32degree heat + cardie = SWEATY!!! Beautiful place though, mega ostentatious (every surface hat could be is guilded) but still mint. Part of the complex houses the Emerald Buddha which is actually made of jade. The story goes that when it was made it was covered in plaster. This remained for hundreds of years and when an Abbott spotted it chipping off the nose he declared I Emerald and the rumour was born!
Day 2
Spent the day visiting a Brahman not Buddhist shrine which was erected to offset bad luck that was befalling the construction of a hotel. After enjoying a bit o Thai fingernail dancing (pleased to report thy were fake nails an don't have hideous long ones) and inhaling s***loads o incense I trotted down to a nearby park and spent the afternoon Monitor lizard watching. Some of them were huge, proper Jurassic Park moments!
Day 3
Took a stroll to a flower market which was a little disappointing, mainly greenery an Thai gnomes. I had laid in until 10.30 so I'm guessing the good stuff had gone. Took the water taxi, which was an experience to my last two "must-see" Bangkok temples, Wat Arun and Wa Pho. Wat Arun is MAHOOSIVE! I made it up to level one of three before my fear of heights/thailand's complete lack of health and safety forced me to beat a hasty retreat. Good views though. The second housed the reclining Buddha which is as the name suggest a Buddha taking it easy! Allegedly reall lucky so after paying my respects to all the Buddhas and brahmas I'm definitely taking up gambling when I get back.
Onwards and Northwards, next stop Chiang Mai!
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