After a lovely nights sleep I was awake at 7.00am. There's was a a mist over the paddy fields, unfortunately the sunrise was on the opposite site of the train but it was nothing short of spectacular.
As we travelled north once again we were passing awesome temples, little stations, much prettier than in Malaysia with ponds containing coy carp and water lilies. There was a stark contrast between this and then train journey so far. I was 'loving' it. It is amazing but after having my bed put back and greeting the 'karate kid' with a cheery ' good morning' I got into deep conversation with him. What an amazing character he was. 61 years of age, a house husband from Kyoto in Japan and a latter day backpacker. He kept me in deep conversation for the next four hours, only interrupted by a great breakfast of ham and eggs with coffee and fruit juice.
Choi, the ' Karate kids' real name was an brilliantly intelligent man, me discussed his philosophy on life, why he travelled, how he had taught his thirty year old daughter at home, how he was dealing and helping his wife deal with her cancer, it was absolutely fascinating. We swapped proverbs. My offering was ' nice house, nice car but no stories' his was ' travelling is not about moving from place to place is about experience and learning'
He knew how to travel cheaply and light.
I have to say that getting the train from Butterworth to Bangkok has been the highlight so far, so enlightening.......
They say rules are meant to be broken. Although this was a no smoking train passengers were constantly making their way to the vestibule and lighting up. I decided to do the same. A fag after 20 hours was very welcome.
I have met and talked to some very nice and interesting people. The food was good on the train and the sights were stunning..
Thailand is so different fro. Malaysia, maybe it is the lack of colonial intervention but it is not as 'dirty' as Malaysia. Poverty yes but but very tidy poverty...
The journey was well worth the £11 or so. No more first class for me.....
The train arrived at Bangkok station about 15 minutes early. I shook hands with my travelling companion and headed towards the ticket office to book the next leg of my train journey, Bangkok to Chiang Mai. The train would leave at 19.45 on Saturday and arrive in Chiang Mai at 9.45 the following morning.
I had one night in Bangkok and quite a lot to do...
Leaving the station, I headed for the Metro in search of my hotel. I was staying at the Serene Silom this evening, a boutique hotel in the red light area of the city. According to the Metro map this was just two stops on the MRT, very convenient.
Bangkok Station
Coming out of the Metro I headed up Silom Road and by luck rather than judgement found my accommodation and within 15 minutes from getting into Bangkok, I was in my hotel room. For the £30 per night it was excellent.
In the hotel I logged on to check my e-mail, ( the hotel charged 400baht per day), had a shower and then made my way out for a bit of sightseeing.
I took a taxi to the Grand Palace.
I wanted to visit the Royal Palace but knew it closed at 3.30 and it was 2.00. I hopped in a taxi, arriving at 2.30. There were a lot of people around but the last ticket was sold at 2.30 so I would have to come back in the morning. From the gates it did look pretty spectacular though!
I was chatting to one of the Thai employees at the entrance and he suggested that I take a TukTuk to the Golden Buddah and a few more sights as today was a special day for tourists. Only 20 baht. ' savvy' head on I was suspicious but I was fancying a ride in a TukTuk anyway so off I went.
The Golden Buddha (officially it seems to be named Golden Buddha Sukhothai Traimit) is housed in a small building in the rather nondescript, but old Wat Traimit. It is about 3 meters in height and weights an astonishing 5 tons (of gold).
Its history is not yet fully clarified. It may have been built during the late Sukhothai period or the Ayutthaya period. The - then still covered with plaster - Buddha image was moved to Bangkok (as many other Buddha Statues) during the third reign of the Rattanokosin era. It actually must mean (even though the Golden Buddha inside was unknown at the time) that this Buddha image had importance.
The image is housed in a modest building (a new mondop is scheduled to te build pending donations), impressive and of course quite shining. It displays characteristics of the Sukhothai era, and the Buddha has the posture and gesture of Subduing Mara (Calling the Earth to Witness) which is very common in Thailand. This posture shows the Buddha with the right hand bent over the right knee, touching the earth with His fingers.
As I walked into the temple grounds a lady was selling boxes of birds, four in a box. If you let the birds out in front of the big you would have good luck.
I bought a box and dutifully placed the box in front of the effigy and released gem. There was probably someone around the corner with a big not to catch them, put them in the box again and fleece another tourist for five quid.
My four little birds moments before release.
My TukTux driver was getting something to eat so I sat down and started chatting to a Thai chap. They always start the conversation.
' Where are you from?'
' England'
' London '
' No Sheffield '
' Agh, Sheffield Wednesday !'
We chatted about my trip and were I was going.
This chap once again was telling me about what Thailand and particularly the Thai Tourist Board were doing to encourage more tourists. He told me to visit the Tourist Authourity of Thailand (TAT) offices and ask them for advice, he reckoned I could save 20 to 30 percent.
View from the back of my TukTuk.
Next stop in the TukTuk, the offices of the Tourist authority of Thailand. I explained where I was going and when I needed to be back, over the next two hours this very knowledgable travel expert had redesigned my itinerary adding a days trekking, a couple of flights to save time and see more. Without a doubt the price quoted had saved me a couple of hundred quid and took some of the hassle out of booking accommodation, trips, buses, trains and flights. It was a brilliant service, complete with snacks and beer. After four cans I was a little squiffy!
While I was there a steady stream of Europeans were coming through the door to book visas, visits accommodation and flights. If I come back to Thailand on this trip I would use TAT.
Throughout my time in the TAT offices Pho, my TukTuk driver was asleep in the back of his vehicle, I did go out and explained if he wanted to go I would pay him now as I could be some time. 'No, No, I like to sleep'
Pho asleep while I am in the travel agent.
At around 5.30 I was sorted, and made my way back to the TukTuk,
I had intended to go back to the hotel but Pho persuaded me to go to a tailors.
' Oh No ! , here we go again!!
I agreed, organised to have a shirt made, very cheaply, it would be delivered to my hotel in the morning.
Now back to the hotel, as we were driving, ( if that's what you call it - it was a bit mad!!) he passed me a card with some girls, clearly prostitutes on it,
' you like'
' yes very nice'
Of course, he took that to mean yes and 10 minutes we pulled up outside a brothel, I explained I was not interested, he laughed and we were on our way to the hotel.
I had had such an entertaining afternoon I gave him a big tip.
The evening consisted of a visit to PatPong, the famous seedy area of Bangkok. In the street are all sorts of fakes. In addition are hoards and hoards of bars with Thai girls dancing around poles. Basically you chose one you like and do a deal. Outside street hawkers are shoving ' sex menu's in front of your nose' . It was all very good natured and friendly.
' done in the best possible taste '
PatPong sex bars and stalls selling fakes.
On a street adjacent to PatPong is another road with bars and restaurants. I chose a street side table, ordered satay, and chicken with broccoli in an oyster sauce and a drink. The food was delicious, as was the Mojito, I had another. Back at the by midnight feeling a little pissed !!
On my bet when I got back into my room was an Orchid and a message saying sleep well. How sweet!
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Location:Phiphat,Silom,Thailand
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