We woke up early this morning and decided to go for breakfast before packing and heading to the pool for some sunbathing, the pool is beautiful and you get a great view of the hotel and restaurant, definitely could get used to this but today we were heading for Thailand.
Phalin met us for a trip to the market so we could buy some gifts and souvenirs to take home. This place is like a rabbit warren you could spend hours pottering about. We wandered around making attempts at bartering and failing, I have never been able to do it, considering I am in sales at home this may come as I shock, but I much prefer to be the other side of the sale. In the centre of the maze was a food market, selling everything from herbs to fresh fish and meat. The smell was bombarding the senses, everything all mingling together.
After several purchases of clothes and ornaments we crossed the river to another market where we found a cafe nestled in the middle. We ordered some noodles and spring rolls aware we were running out of time. Phalin helped us to make it a takeaway before heading back to the hotel to pick up our bags and make the short drive to the airport. Upon opening our noodles we discovered it was in fact spaghetti but they had not provided us with cutlery so we had to eat it in the car with our fingers which was just making us giggle.
We checked in and discovered our airline provides a private lounge for all passengers. We stocked up on coffee and juices, before using their computers so sort through our photos and create more space on our phones. Within no time we were headed out to the plane. It was tiny with propellers and everything. Eighteen rows of pairs of seats. The flight was short yet entertaining. Some old guy felt obliged to tell me I couldn't use my iPad to read during the flight, I started off by assuring him it was switched to airplane mode. He didn't like this and proceeded to raise his voice, pointing at me and saying if we crash he would blame it on me. I was tired and frankly what I said next probably didn't aid matters. Oops. When we landed he proceeded to continue the abuse while other passengers looked on as I ignored him encroaching on my personal space.
A young American guy eventually broke the argument and the three of us joined forces at immigration and through to getting our bags. The old man left me alone then. At arrivals we were met by our guide Lek who was extremely camp and made us feel instantly at ease. We chatted all the way to the hotel while he provided us with a language lesson as well as handy tips about the culture. The hotel was amazing, we did good again. After the introduction to Bangkok city and a detailed look at the map we thanked Lek and went up to the room. The view was of the city, flyovers, billboards, bustling.
After a quick shower we headed out to meet two family friends of Georgie. Brian and Matthew. They had advised we get a motorbike taxi as the Thais are currently celebrating the Buddist New Year of Song Kran so the roads are gridlocked, with only bikes being able to filter through. Plus we had a happy hour to get to at their hotel. What an experience that was, wind in your hair, ridiculous speeds, weaving in and out of gaps I didn't think people could even walk through. But we made it alive and feeling refreshed so can't complain.
We had a few drinks at the hotel before heading to a lovely restaurant where we stuffed our faces with the most delicious authentic Thai food. Matthew then suggested we go and see a show. The content is not suitable for this blog but if I just say we were out with two gay men, in the gay district in Thailand I am pretty sure you get an idea! Eye opening and not necessarily in a good way. But it was a good laugh. We then walked through some night markets to a street of pubs and clubs. Living out here for most of the year they both know quite a few people including the owner if the club, drinks flowed and we chatted into the early hours before resigning ourselves to the tiredness of the day and staggering back to our hotel.
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