Bangkok, temples and buddas

Here is my final blog from our recent holiday to Thailand. As with the last blog we did some tourist stuff around Bangkok. I really wanted to go see the grand palace and the reclining budda. The problem with seeing these two sites is the fact that you are informed always by drivers, locals, persons who look like security that they are closed. The same people will then direct you to another attraction or tour. It's an interesting if not challenging arrangement. Basically they are trying to get you to share your wealth and visit lesser visited tourist sites and they are very convincing.

Our day began with a tuk tuk ride. The first one we got informed us the palace wasn't open till 9:30. ( it opens at 8:30) he whipped out his laminated tour option sheet and tried to take us to other sites. After much Haggling the driver stated it was too far but he could take us to tours. We jumped out of this tuk tuk and got another who was happy to take us straight there.







Tuk tuks are cool fun and we were lucky to be dropped beyond the people telling us the palace was closed. We tagged onto the back of a tour to get through the throng of touts and we were in!












Amazing building. The funny thing is that a condition of entry is covered toe shoes and yet you take them off to go inside to see the emerald budda.



After this we headed out to Wat Pho, home of the largest reclining budda. We got a little lost and asked a young man passing by. He informed us it was closed for prayers till 1pm so till then we could visit this and that and go on this tour and that tour! So convincing he nearly got us.
However we bid him thanks and found it about 3 minutes later and amazingly open!



Big isn't it?



And how about the bottom of the feet? All mother of pearl inlay.



While we walked around there was this constant ting ting sound, it wasn't till we got around we saw the reason. For a small donation you get a tin cup full of copper coins and you place a coin in the tin bowls as you walk along, I believe to bring good fortune.






Susie has a whole load of good luck and fortune coming her way.
After a quick visit to a fortune teller ( sues outliving me) we had our fill and headed back to relax and shop.
So as an end note I thought I might list the traffic offences I saw in my time in Bangkok. I would have filled 10 books. So here we go!

Use mobile phone
Fail to wear seatbelt
Travel in rear of ute
Pillion fail to seat facing forward
Child under 7 on solo
Solo, fail to wear helmet
Pass, fail to wear helmet
Ride on footpath
Drive on footpath
Fail to remain in lane
Drive in emergency lane
Fail to indicate lane change
Ride at night no lights
Disobey red light
Travel wrong way
Fail to secure load
Overload vehicle
Use unroadworthy vehicle
And the list goes on! Made coming home with all this space a bit weird.
Hope you have enjoyed the blog,hopefully next one will be next year from Cambodia and then another New Zealand mountaineering trip planned.until then
Uke complete me!

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