Last day in Bangkok.....

Morning followers, and what another scorcher it promises to be here today (the sweat tache-o-meter is up an running already and it is only 8.30!)

My last day in Bangkok, so many things to do, so little time.  But I have the luxury of having been here before so I have managed to pack most of them in.  So I decided on a little trip to the city itself and a little bit of window shopping in one of the huge centres they have here, the Siam Centre (its a bit like any hot country, everyone flocks to the malls as they have air con and they all need their sweat tache drying off.....)

First up was the pancakes and fruit to set me up for the day and then off to get the boat down the river to the central pier.  Now when you get off the first thing that you see is a massive concrete bridge system which is actually Bangkok's awesome skytrain.  It winds its way around the city, over the tops of buildings and temples, traffic and shops, taking you where you need to be, quickly, cleanly, and for 50p per trip! (take note bonkers Boris, a half hour journey on a clean train, on time, for 50p)

On I jumped and was soon taking in the marvel that is the city centre. Siam came into view and I hopped off to wander round a mall that makes Bluewater look like Londis.  After taking my fill of air con and a rather strange combination of ice cream, mojito and passion fruit, I headed for China town.

OMG this place is madder than mad. Even by my standards.  The alleyways are crammed with markets selling a whole different sort of tat, Chinese tat, and they do tat better than anyone.  Fluffy toys, cartoon characters, craft materials, stickers, books, shoes bags and rope (yes rope) In fact, anything the discerning Chinese person could ask for.

Now I needed a wee.  A big wee.  And quickly.  I was stuck in an alleyway no more than 2 metres wide, with thousands of people, fluffy toys and Vespas, desperately trying to find a loo that wouldn't be a hole in the ground.  I even considered my water bottle.  But thankfully for me and the people of China Town, a western loo came into view and my prayers were answered.  Thank you Buddha.

My wanderlust fulfilled, it was back to my manor with a pit stop at as little joint for a red chicken curry and rice (nom) and my customary de-sweat with the air con in my room.  This was my last night and I was going to make the most of it but going out, not out out, just out.  And trying to stay up past 9pm.....

This was Friday night and the people were out to party, tributes acts from Whitney Houston to Michael Jackson warbled their way into your eardrums.  The place was even more heaving than normal.  But I 3 things on my mind, shopping, beer and fish.  Well it was Friday. 

Hang on, I've just got to move inside as I am writing this from the day bed on the decking, you know the one, and the sweat is dripping into my eyes and off my nose onto the keyboard, give me 5 while I move inside.....

Marginally better, now where was I? Oh, yes shopping.  I had a list, more harem pants (I apologise to my friends for what I look like in them when I get home), fridge magnets, a couple of dresses and a pair of Birkenstocks.  All done for £15.  Next was a detour to somewhere that I had slagged off earlier in he week, Maccie D's.  Now this was for medical purposes only I can assure you, to take in fries in order to replace the salt I had lost through the copious sweating over the past few hours (this went along with the cake I had to replace the sugar...)  That done, it was time to find beer and fish, the two easily satisfied in one place.  A large Chang and a whole BBQ'd fish later I was happy (you will see by the pictures) all washed down with a big old helping of people watching.

I needed another wee so thankfully the hotel was nearby so I popped back in and just as I was thinking 'shall I go up to bed?' I decided on one last treat for today.  Another massage.  So I picked a different spot, the one with only one bed outside left.  As I approached there was a woman, all packed up and ready to go, saying her goodbyes and putting on her coat (it must be cold to her) just as I said 'head neck and back massage please'. Poor woman.  Her kids will have to wait a bit longer for their tea. I was so apologetic and she took it well, but man alive, did I know about it.  She kneaded me to within an inch of my life, actually making me cry, but it was good.  She did a whole different routine to the last one, but it did involve the arm thing and I have the numb fingers and bruises on my bingo wings to prove it.

After the torture was over, I felt wonderful and gave her a little extra cash as a sweetener for having to stay late and make me cry.  This helped.  And now, at almost midnight it was time to head back to the hotel before I turned into a mango....

That was yesterday, my last day in Bangkok.  And here I sit, back in my room now (no air con downstairs) just waiting till my taxi to come and take me to the airport for my next little bit of my trip, the beach and Krabi.

But Bangkok will always have a place in my heart.  Happy memories were made here, new ones made this time.  It's like Marmite, you love it or hate it.  I love it, but I can see why some don't, and have seen a few this time around.  They have that look.  But that is OK because the is Bangkok.  There are lots of things I will remember this time round to add to the old memories, here are a few, listed for you so make it easier to read (and for me to copy from my notes made on very cheap serviettes last night....)

Backpackers so laden with bags that only their heads are visible (why are they not sweating?). The frog sound - the little bit of wood being scraped giving out the ribbit.  After saying no so many times, I finally decided to buy one as a memory and bugger me, not a wooden frog seller in sight (you will be pleased to hear I got one eventually) .  My sweat tache-o-meter (but I am sure I will be using it in Krabi). The smells of the food, rich and delicious.  The boat whistle outside my hotel. Saying over and over again 'no thanks, I'm OK for scorpions on sticks / suits / wooden frogs / laser pens / tattoos (delete as appropriate). Weeing a lot.  The friendliness and feeling of being very privileged to be able to do what I do.  And writing my notes on random bits of stuff, I wonder if I could get a job doing this....

Anyhoo, next stop Krabi!!! Now, I am swapping my high end hotel for a little beach place with Wi-Fi but who knows, so forgive me if you don't hear from me for a bit (hoorah I hear you cry)

Gonna try and upload some pics now and then get some brekkie, so I will sign off for now and hopefully be blogging on from the beach next time!

TTFN xxx