Thank you Thailand

Down for breakfast at just over seven, don’t believe we are last. The Chinese have taken over the restaurant, so we have to sit on a couple of bar stools. The two young girls are rushing around. Muesli with yoghurt fruit and honey, freshly squeezed orange juice very good and the cost per room around £30.

The Chinese contingent have also taken over the free bus to airport, we get a ride in the Toyota SUV very nice car. The driver turns out to be the manager and the hotel has only been open four month. Check in and and take a seat in lounge. “Mrs Sylvia”… we look up and it’s one of the ladies from check in. “Please come with me, security has a problem with your bag”? They rush off with the Duke behind them. Whoops the Duke has water, back through security. A tense 20 minutes and the Dame arrives. It was the metal sculpture that she bought in Khao Lak, but not a good way to start the day.

At  Bangkok airport we are taking the hotel’s airport shuttle. Of course cannot find their bus, the Dame phones and tell them we are at entrance four. In an instant a man appears and tells us “wait a minute” it’s 11.10 twenty minutes go by. It is interesting watching the fellow travellers, the amount of luggage people have, some of the outfits and people like us looking for airport taxis. But after waiting 30 minutes we are getting a bit annoyed. Mr airport taxi re-appears, “this way” there is the mini bus, then another couple come along, maybe that’s why we waited.

Book into hotel we are on 7th floor overlooking a market. Go down to pool to catch a last bit of sun, the pool is at European temperature, so swimming off. Again no Mojito’s, the Dame is now looking forward to getting home and having a nice Alentejo, or Duro.

Nearby is an old market that has been taken over by artist. Having a bit of trouble with the Google map. We have actually gone past it.

Our second attempt it’s over a small footbridge. Really interesting, some nice art some unusual object d’art and some old junk Steptoe would have collected and some places to eat, but sadly no bars.

On way back to hotel we purchase some seeds Chili’s, Holy Basil and Pak Choy at an extravagant 70 Bhat. Back to room, cup of tea and feet up. The idea of staying and finding somewhere to eat get a thumbs down.  The market is in full swing. There is a parking attendant with a whistle he doesn’t stop blowing as cars queue to park, then a recording of some advert plays none stop, we hear all this quite clearly and we are on the 7th floor. We ask reception can we get transfer to airport at 8.30 might just stay sane until then. Young hotel guy takes us to airport and boy did he drive fast.

Bangkok is just so busy. Security was very thorough, take off all shoes and go through scanner. The next nightmare was immigration. Very long queues. We are so glad we left two hours earlier Into departures, Incredible, every designer has a shop here.

Board the aircraft for the long trip home. Thank you Thailand we have had a fantastic time.