Arriving for breakfast at 8am, great only three people in restaurant. No waiting at the toaster for the slice of bread that comes out the same colour as you put it in.
Breakfast over. Ferry across the M25 and a short walk to the Palace. The crowds don’t seem to bad today. We joined the endless tour groups and funneled into the Palace. Here one guy is checking on dress, as knees and shoulders must be covered. He is very thorough, a bit to thorough if he calls out “not permitted”…? That translates as get your Elephant trousers on. Buying a ticket no problem. Then the queuing starts, through a narrow gate and into the Palace. Wow what a site endless ornate towers, monuments and people, it’s like getting into Wembley on Cup Final day.
Not sure we will like this, but we are here now and it is spectacular. So much intricate workmanship. But it’s a shame they don’t use the method of letting a number of people in at specific times, like the Alhambra in Granada. The Asians don’t appear to understand the concept of organized or queuing.
Back over the river to find some lunch. It is Sunday so the local street food places we had hoped to eat in around the market area are full. So back to a smart restaurant 2 mins from our hotel. This was also very busy but huge on 2 floors, the food was very good. Interesting observing a private party in a side room and the many exotic dishes they were enjoying including whole lobsters. We did wonder about gate crashing. Back across the river again, be getting sea legs at this rate. Looking for a money exchange shop. We asked a Tuk Tuk driver how much to take us 300 THB , sorry we aren’t buying your Tuk Tuk just want a ride. It turns out to be 10 min walk.
Tonight we are going into the main part of Bangkok. So we take a Tuk Tuk. Sylvia drives a hard bargain so off we go. The restaurant is called Alley Cat. Good Thai food , sitting at a table great for people watching.
The whole area is restaurants, bars and street vendors. A fascinating place to wander around. Dozens of ‘shops’ offering foot and leg massage with beds lined up on the street, many people both locals and tourists having a very public massage. Several bars near to each other had live music, all competing for volume and drowning each other out.
After strolling a bit more time to find a lift back, another Tuk Tuk at nail biting speed. Nearly back and a wrong turn so he just pulled over and anybody nearby comes to his aid and they all discuss the route. Almost back another wrong turn, we decide to get out and walk.
We found a unique cocktail bar in an old VW with tables made from the top of oil drums. No need to ask the Dame twice, 2 large G&T’s watching the amazing spectacle of night life on a Bangkok street.
Dame ‘Awkes Travels 