Monday found us spending some time in Manchester before getting the tram to the airport. No problems getting through security and our flight to Bangkok via Helsinki was fine, albeit long!
We arrived on Tuesday afternoon Bangkok time, (6 hours ahead), and had the luxury of a taxi transfer to our apartment in the city. After a brief trip to a 7/11 to get basic provisions, we had some dinner at a local cafe/ restaurant then fell into bed.
Wednesday, we had a lazy day trying to acclimatise and get over the journey. We do have the benefit of a pool overlooking the city on the 8th floor. We also ventured to a local supermarket for more supplies. In the afternoon Nic enjoyed a massage at a nearby spa, and for dinner we headed to a restaurant in a nearby shopping centre, before once again crashing out!
Thursday started with an adventure to find the office to collect our train tickets for the train to Chang Mai next week. The MRT is easy to use, with tickets available from a machine or cashier, and functions just like any other subway/ underground network.
After collecting the tickets, we set off to walk across the city past the Wat Traimit, home of the golden Buddha, then through the Rommaninat Park, to watch the local runners braving the warm temperatures to complete their fitness regimes.
In the evening we went on a tour using electric scooters to get around the flood lit temples and to the night markets to sample the Thai street foods. After some initial trepidation the scooters were easy to use, and we had a blast, as well as some tasty food. Nic even got to don gloves to help make the Papaya salad which was deemed to be spicy by our Thai guides and fellow explorers who were all from India! This despite only having half a small chilli in it.
Friday saw us looking for an Optician to source some contact lenses for Rog. Then another walk back through Benjukitti Park in front of the Queen Sikirit Conference centre, which gave a great view of the city scape across the lake.
In the evening we revisited a restaurant we had been to years ago, run as a social Enterprise, Cabbages and Condoms aim was to make condoms as easily available in Thailand as Cabbages! There are not many restaurants which bring a basket of condoms with the bill, for you to help yourself!!
Since we were last here they have opened several restaurants, including one in Bicester in England, and expanded their local operations to include a cafe, accommodation and gardens all employing local people. The food was great too, especially the duck in tamarind sauce.
On Saturday we decided to pick a random station on the Sky train line and go and explore the area around it. We chose Pak nam, this took us out to the edge of the River where there was a fair ground, and past the Royal Thai Naval Academy and museum, before we got back on the sky train back into town.
In the evening, we used Google maps to select a restaurant called Monkey Pod, which was another good find. Out door eating in a secluded garden, with bats flying around and once again very good food, including a chocolate brownie, which arrived fresh from the oven in a frying pan with ice cream on the top….yum😋
Sunday had us up early to meet a Thai student who came with us into Chattuchak market, with the plan to help us navigate the market while improving her English, all for a reasonable price. So nice to have someone with us, as it is a huge site to navigate.
Ended the week with dinner and a couple of beers/cocktails at Monsoon bar, accompanied by a two piece band! Doing Mexican and western tunes.
Travurple 