Bangkok, Thailand 05/04/2008

I'm a bit behind in my posts because I've been out of range for a few days so will try and catch up.

Last day in Thailand was spent site-seeing in Bangkok. Lots of temples! Head off about midday and first stop was the Grand Palace. The grounds were much larger than I thought they would be so it was great walking around looking at all the beautiful buildings. Wat Phra Kaew was also there which is also known as the 'Temple of the Emerald Buddha'. You couldn't take photos in the temple but it was beautiful. It was still an active place of worship too and there were a few monks in praying while I was in there.

After that I headed up the road to Wat Pho also known as the 'Temple of the Reclining Buddha'. The buddha in this temple was huge! It's feet had engravings made out of Mother of Pearl which were so pretty. The grounds were also surprisingly large so was really nice to walk around them.

From there I still had some time so I headed across the river on a little ferry to Wat Arun. This Wat is really tall with five spires. This was when I learnt the real names of these temples are incredibly complex! Wat Arun is actually - Wat Arunratchawararam Ratchaworamahavihara
I took a photo as proof :) The middle building has stairs up the side so you can walk about 2/3rds the way up. It was an incredible view from up the top but the stairs were very steep and it was pretty terrifying trying to get back down again. Most had to go down backwards as it was too much.

I decided to take the river ferry back up towards my hotel so I didn't get hounded by any more people (it was really starting to get a bit much) but wasn't 100% sure about where to get off so asked a girl next to me. Got talking and her name was Debbie and she was also traveling on her own. She'd been traveling around for about 6 months so was definitely the right person to ask questions. We ended up having a drink & dinner together. Was really nice to finally have someone to chat to.

I also checked out Kho San Road which is the backpacker strip and it was interesting. The road was closed at night and it was filled with people selling goods and bars. All up I was out and about walking for about 8 hours so I was exhausted by the time I headed back to the hotel. Unfortunately couldn't have a late one as had to leave for the airport at 6am the next morning. These early mornings are taking their toll!

Thailand was incredibly hot. Averaged about 38/39 deg while I was there. Thankfully when I reached Vietnam is dropped to about 32 deg which was a little more manageable.

I was quite happy to leave Thailand behind. I had quite a few people try and rip me off and many issues with taxi drivers including a few verbal fights with drivers who wouldn't use the meters so I was getting over it by the end of the week. In bangkok I had 2 different guys approach me telling me Grand Palace was closed and I should try such and such instead. Thankfully I'd read lonely planet before hand and knew it was a scam, they'd take you to some commissioned shop instead. I was glad to find Vietnam quite different.