Joyful reunion...
Trip Start
Nov 08, 2004
1
5
7
Trip End
Jun 31, 2005
Bangkok, Thailand
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
Usin sang in a trembling, low, monotone voice 'Loi, Loi, kratong, loi kratong, loi kratong' and at the time it sounded very tribal and traditional and i was looking forward to hearing it in Chiang mai. But NO! I was fooled! It's a cheesy, cheesy song often sung in english. I think every pop star in Thailand must have sung a version, because every single procession float had a different voice blareing it out. There were many, many floats and the celebrations lasted 3 days. I keep catching myself humming it. It wont go away.
I woke up early this morning to go to Lumphini park and see people practising Tai Chi, However, early turned out to be 11.30 so decided to stay in bed and listen to my lovely music for a bit. A bit turned into two hours and it was 2 o clock by the time i left the hostel. This is the worst time to go sightseeing because it is the hottest time of the day, so therefore, it's the only time i go.
I took the boat up from the main pier to Ratanakosin island (not really an island) intending to see the grand palace. I walked the long way around the huge palace walls because an evil tuktuk driver grabbed me and proceeded to draw imaginary wats all over my map and also an imaginary entrance. This turned out to be good thing because on my trek I came upon a gorgeous little park. It was very lush, a tiny botanical garden full of crazy Thai's jogging in the baking afternoon heat. I had a wander then just lay on a bench for half an hour watching the world go by (well the joggers at least). There were Ravens, some type of Thai squirrel, two beautiful species of butterfly, speckled doves, birds that looked like magpies but three times as small and the crazy hopping whistling birds which you see everywhere.
Must of stayed there a bit too long because by the time i got to the palace it was one hour to closing (not, as the man told be about three steps before the entance 'closed' as i watched tourist after tourist pour in). Rushed round taking gratuitous tourist snaps. Saw the emerald buddha (it's green and small) saw lots of 'no entry' signs, then rushed back out again.
Had some mystery meat satay sticks beside the river and then made my way over to Khao san road. Have to say when i was leaving the internet cafe last night it seemed alot nicer. There were lots of young funkily dressed Thai's sitting on the pavement and tasty food stalls. It's a relief to finally see some scruffy looking Thai's, they are generaly so well dressed they make me, in my stinky travellers garments, feel like a tramp. So today i was swallowing my previous nights comments and going with the crowd. Then I walked past a stall selling dreadlock wigs or hair extentions! then i noticed these stalls were everywhere. Oh well.
spent far too much money once again. The shopping a bit good i can tell you. Was telling a friend i might come back with 3 empty suitcases and just spend the whole time buying knockoff t-shirts!
