It’s time to become a real tourist and see some of the sights of Bangkok today. We headed out early to beat the heat and the crowds. It raining slightly all morning so that helped keep things a little cooler. We caught the Skytrain all the way to the main ferry wharf.  The ferry ride down the murky Mae Nam Chao Phraya river to the Grand Palace. We wore our own long pants this time so we didn’t have to rent a pair. And then we grabbed a tuk tuk ride over to Wat Po to see the massive reclining buddha.  We got very lost afterwards and eventually a tuk tuk driver came to our rescue.
Back at the hotel we settled into the swimming pool and learnt that Thai law does not allow our hotel to serve margharettas before 5pm.  After a couple of hours swimming and resting we headed down to the Pratnum area. We did some more shopping and then headed to the Pratnum market. They had started closing as we arrived. So a young tuk tuk driver took us on one of the wildest rides of our lives across Bangkok to the massive night market in Silom. Along the way he offered us places to eat, girls to meet and shows to see.  It was all VERY funny while trying to hold on for our dear lives as he darted in out of the traffic.  The night market was enormous. I don’t even think we saw a quarter of it before we were too worn out to walk anymore.  Then came our wildest tuk tuk ride of all.  The young guy driving took off across 4 lanes off a busy road to cross to the correct side. And then at the traffic lights he popped a wheelie with Frank and I and all our shopping in the big. He took us at break neck speed all the way back to our hotel.  And the funniest part… as he pulled in to our posh hotel’s forecourt in front of the doorman he pulled on the breaks and skidded to a stop.   Well after we finished laughing we eventually got out and checked to see what shopping we migt have lost along the way.  We have made a few videos during the trip so far so I’ll try and pop those up on YouTube soon.
NOTE: For those concerned about the political trouble and the current state of emergency in Bangkok.  We are being very careful to stay away from the trouble hot spots.  The hotel staff have been very helpful. Bangkok is a huge city. While the problems may not be far away, it seems the rest of the city is going on as normal.
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