Bangkok

Jennifer and I spent four days in Bangkok for a quick break together before I went diving in Koh Tao.  We had a really nice suite on the 28th Floor of the Chatrium Riverside Hotel, and were relieved to get an early check-in as we had been travelling all night.  We were both tired which was evident as Jennifer rang the hotel to find out what time the first hotel taxi left Saphan Taksin pier where we were waiting.  I heard Jennifer repeating "What do you mean 'when'.  I am there now".  She was getting more and more irate.  "Why do you keep saying 'Say when thirty' ?" and "What do you mean 'Say when thirty' ?  I am waiting now".  She handed me the phone in frustration. "Ah, you mean seven thirty."  I deduced.  Jennifer not good at understanding the difficulties the Thais have with pronouncing "V" as "W", whereas the Indians pronounce "W" as "V".

Bangkok is much different to Bangalore.  Its shining high-rise buildings and ultra modern Skytrain transport system are testament to the wealth it has experienced and reinvested in recent years.  It is clean and mostly efficient, with the Chao Phraya river dominating the city with its ever frequent river taxi service, free hotel boats and huge commercial barges, with their exports of sugar and corn, travelling the final 10 miles down to the sea.

We spent the next few days looking at the sights.  First of all we went up the river to the Royal Palace.  I was struck by the sheer number of scammers hanging around this area.  They were trying to tell me that the Palace was closed and that they would take me somewhere else, and the the Golden Buddha was in a completely different direction to the way we were walking, which I knew was rubbish.  Thankfully, we are relatively experienced in dealing with such people, but I can see how many more naive travellers could be taken advantage of.

The Royal Palace is a series of impressive buildings situated very close to each other in a compound.  There is plenty of gold and other bright colours that momentarily distract you from the fact that every molecule of water is oozing out of your body with the humidity at a rate in excess of that which you are able to replace it.

From there, we dodged a few more scammers and headed to Wat Pho.  This is a magnificent golden reclining Buddha and a popular tourist attraction.

Then we crossed the river to the Temple of the Golden Dawn.  At ground level there are a number of small golden Buddhas and other artifacts, but the site is dominated by the tall temple structure.  There are really steep steps up which you may climb, which provide a great view over the city and the river.

In the evenings we visited each of the three red light districts.  These are the only places where there the pubs and restaurants are in plentiful supply.  They are Pat Pong, Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy.  Despite them being the famous flesh-pots of Bangkok, they do make an interesting visit.  There are no pushy sales tactics and Jennifer and I felt quite relaxed sitting in the bars watching the antics of the bar girls and their prospective customers.  The girls' friendly nature, smiles and fawning attention belie the fact that many of them are from such poor families the country areas that their parents were forced to sell them into the sex industry from an early age.

There is plenty of good food to be had here, and on the last night we went to a Japanese grill restaurant.  This was strange, as many Japanese things are.  Each time a customer came in or went out, the entire staff chanted something.  I have no idea what it was.  There were little hollows in the tables, into which the waiter puts a small tin of hot charcoal, again to some Japanese chant by the entire staff, upon which you cook your own beef.  We had the famous Japanese Kobi beef, which was really nice, but well overpriced, especially for Bangkok.

Then the next morning I was off to Koh Samui and Koh Tao, and Jennifer went back to Bangalore.