Bangkok II
Trip Start
Aug 08, 2011
1
12
Trip End
Oct 05, 2011
Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
So we have spent the last four days catching up on some films in an aircon cinema, a bit of shopping, lots of lovely food, and a bit of sightseeing, mainly from one of the river boats. Being too tight to pay the tourist boat charges, we have just been using the commuter line. After all, it's the same river, and who needs a commentary?
We have steered clear of the Banglamphu backpacker cafe fare, but have had some lovely street food. Breakfast has mainly been jork at a plastic table in the street. Jork is rice porridge, with minced chicken, shredded ginger, lettuce, spring onion, and a raw egg, which cooks as you mix it in. It sets you up for the day like nothing else, along with a Turkish coffee. We have also taken advantage of the current vegetarian festival, which is an annual event in Thailand held over 10 days. A lot of the restaurants serve only vegetarian food, so you get to try veggie versions of Thai curries and soups. At one restaurant we went to, called Krua Aroy Aroy (Delicious Delicious Kitchen) we were allowed to taste all of the curries before we made our selection, and then the owner threw in some free tempura and a couple of spring rolls, all for about 2 pounds.
Paul has taken advantage of being back in civilisation to get a haircut. The barber didn't speak much English, but asked if he wanted a number 1 or 2. Paul said a number 2, at which point I asked if he was sure, as I thought the barber was talking about his whole head. Paul said, no, it was just the back of his head. The barber proceeded to run the razor right up from his forehead to the crown of his head. I pointed this out to Paul, who said, "Oh, shall I ask him to stop?", to which I replied, "Yes, if you want a 2-inch wide parting". Paul accepted the inevitable, and is now sporting a brand new and very short haircut.
Today we went to the shopping centre and forgot to take our bank card to get some money out, so I volunteered to go back to get it while Paul got some business done. It should have taken about an hour and a half there and back, if only I hadn't got on the wrong bus and/or failed to get off in time. I ended up halfway round the back of the Palace, from where the only way back was to walk on the sunny side of the street, to avoid the crowds and hawkers on the other side. I thought I would be okay as long as I followed the river, but unfortunately this led me into a dead end in a university canteen, and I ended up having to take a tuktuk, which was galling and mortifying in equal measure, as I pride myself on my ability to work out public transport. Still, if I hadn't Paul would have been waiting a very long time at the shopping centre.
That is about all I have to write about Bangkok. Tonight is our last night, so we are going to Hemlock, one of our favourite restaurants, for a final lovely meal. This could well be followed by some sticky rice and mango if I can find any.
Home tomorrow, so that's it for another year...
