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| Bangkok!!!! |
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| Just the average wildlife. Not sure how defensive they get yet |
15 – 18 April 2011
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| Not a particularly busy road. Pink cabs...? |
After 20km odd of back roads it was onto main highway again – three lane split highway with no way for me get over to the correct side to head to Bangkok. So in good Thai fashion I just started riding on the shoulder on the wrong side. Lasted for about 300m then turned back with the traffic till I found a place to do a u-turn, a bit safer I think. Surprisingly enough motorbikes (and the occasional car) drive up the wrong side quite a bit, it’s just how they roll. So not only do I have to pay attention to what is coming behind me but more importantly what is heading for me!
Finally hit the city and there the mayhem condensed. Lanes everywhere, turn where and when you want, dodge traffic if you want to go a bit faster or get through the back logs. I just took the approach of following what motorbikes did was ok for me – footpaths, don’t worry too much about red lights and just go with it.
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| The power supply - must be very reliable... |
More water thrown at me. That’s 3 days of it, I’ll be happy when it’s over.
Another lesson learned: if get the option always get an air con room. Thought I’d try the cheaper option just with a fan but when it ends up cooler outside than in your room and outside it’s 30 degrees and you’re trying to sleep it is impossible!
The best money I spent in Bangkok was on a motorbike ride across town to the Grand Palace. Better than any fun park ride – this was real traffic dodging! Interesting enough on a push bike but at speed on a motorbike…WOW! I now wish I got my camera recording it. Something you will all have to experience for yourselves.
The Grand Palace:
After reading all about the scammers out the front there were none – maybe the time of year? As usual scorching hot day so shorts and tee. Walk in and in a high soft voice from a man “No sir, no short pants allowed.” What? Deposit and given a pair of baggy trousers, baggy trousers, baggy trousers.
The Grand Palace and its surrounding buildings are incredible. The attention to detail is just overwhelming, incredible paintings and millions of coloured glass pieces all specifically placed. I don’t really do it any justice but you have to see it to believe it. Most impressive: The Galleries (endless walls covered in paintings of the stories of love, loss and the many battles waged) and The Royal Monastery of the Emerald Budda (an incredible shrine – gold painted, dangly things, more stuff and other bits everywhere with an emerald budda only allowed to view and not take any photos inside).
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| The half man half lion or bird statues - believing in reincarnation |
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| The guards at the enntrance |
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| A wee touch up of painting |
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| There is lots to do! |
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| An attempt to photo the Emerald Budda from outside |
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| The actual 'Grand Palace' |
Bangkok is a big city and there is loads of cheap shopping to do but I think it’s better suited to a tourist that is only going for a couple of weeks. There seems to be lots of sifty old farangs here. The nicer places to eat out here are the local Asian restaurants and loads cheaper.
Amongst all the general chaos are some good old parks - only open certain hours of the day but you feel you are in a different world when you're in them. Relaxed, free and able to unwind.
good to hear that you have survived Bangkok traffic - no meann feat - I found it challenging on 2 feet and was very gald I didn't have the complication of wheels! Look forward to receiving parcel. Our Tora walk was great - though a mean sou-wester today (projected gusts of up to 120 I think though doubt if it quite got to that) meant we walked fast, slow or sideways depending on how it caught us.
ReplyDeleteIt was pretty funny being in the traffic!
ReplyDeleteI really would feel happier if you were cycling in a zorb-ball whilst in Bangkok
ReplyDelete