Breakfast was a lavish affair - usual fare for a hotel, plus a range of oriental dishes, sushi, fried rice and local fruits. We explained to the kids the value of a big breakfast before a day on foot and they took our advice to heart!
Then it was off. We had planned a walking tour of Bangkok - some markets and some temples and duly set off via ferry for the first stop. It all took much longer than we thought it would. As we explained to the kids "the car is king", so crossing roads can mean putting your life into your hands (as indeed it sometimes is with motorbikes on pavements). Then the small but crowded pavements are slow going - they are totally populated in parts by hawkers selling their wares - so it all takes time. We ambled through some huge and incredibly congested markets - watching traders carrying huge sacks in the 36 degree heat and humidity.
The focus of our journey was meant to be Wat Traimit featuring a Buddha made of 5.5 tonnes of solid gold - rediscovered in the 1950s when the encased plaster hiding it fell off. Fantastic as it was, and despite keeping hydrated we were so hot by the time we got there that we were ready to return home. To make matters worse the 500 metres back to the ferry in the heat was more like 1.5km due to getting incredibly lost in the small streets. Few people can speak English - and they just point and smile when directions are asked for.
Expecting to be back by 1pm for Joseph's promised swim it was more like 5pm by the time we hit the hotel pool - all feeling somewhat dehydrated.
Tomorrow we are travelling to Hiua Hin - about 3 hours away. It's about £8 more to take a door to door taxi as opposed to us all going by train - so we have elected to do this (although once again it does not feel like role modelling good traveller behaviour to the kids). To add some perspective between Thailand and Australia, the taxi ride will be about the same as it costs to get the return 8km from Alice Springs airport to Alice Springs centre and back!
The plan is to stay about 4 nights around the beach at Hua Hin, then return to Bangkok for the last 2 nights before departure
Typical street
Bracelet stall in Chinatown market
Liz in bracelet stall - with bracelet maker in background
Golden Buddha
Golden Buddha - Wat Traimit
Cooling off
Hotel swimming pool - overlooking river
Hotel infinity swimming pool 6 floors up, but overlooking river
Hotel swimming pool
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