3 in Bed, Giant Buddhas and Grand Palace adventures…
The last few days have certainly been fun filled and action packed, if you remember our last night in Bangkok was all set to be another large one with mega fun planned at one of Bangkok’s super exclusive clubs – Bed Supperclub. After a full day in the spas Georgie and Sarah were looking well groomed and generally super lovely as we rushed across town to get there in time for our reservation, no need really because once inside and a hefty cover charge later we realised that we were barking right up the wrong tree… It was half full with yuppies! We had our complimentary cocktails and stayed for a while hoping that any minute the super fun people would all burst in and then we could get down to a heavy night of drinking and dancing… It never happened and although the club itself was modern and fun the clientèle inside were neither of those things so we cut our losses and got the MRT back to the Khao San Road.
After that false start and a pretty long ride back to the brash and lively KSR we felt a little deflated, having taken a rain check on Bangkok’s cultural side we decided an early night was in order so we would be in good standing for it the following day. Had some grub before bed and turned in.
We were all up in good time because 1. We wanted to have a pretty full day of cultural wandering and 2. We had plans to leave Bangkok that night on the very much despised “night bus” for Koh Tao and so had to pack up and check out by 11:30 am.
Packed up and breakfast scoffed, we stowed our bags at our guest house reception and set off down the KSR towards the Chao Phraya river boat pier, the river express boat being the cheapest way to get about that part of Bangkok it’s also nice to be able to catch the breeze. We were bound for the Grand Palace, Georgie and I have been there before but it’s always good to go back and appreciate just how big and sparkly everything is… And how hot it is there!
We got ourselves some hired hippy clothes at the front gate to cover our “ un-modest” areas and then set off around the grounds.
It’s hard to really sum up Bangkok’s grand palace in account of how intense it is on the eyes and the sweat glands, we found our selves gorping in equal measure of the dripping golden spires and reflected sunshine coming at us from every angle. Although we have never had a guide around it we know the story and enough to appreciate the amazingly intricate paintings that circle the outer wall depicting the birth of Buddhism and the holiness of the Emerald Buddha to the Thai people. It is a truly awesome 
religious place and it’s title certainly fits.
While shuffling down some marble steps towards a bit of shade Georgie slipped and managed the rest on her arse which lightened the sweaty mood and shortly after that we finished our tour of the Grand Palace, set off down the road through the many roadside stalls towards Wat Pho and its famed Giant reclining Buddha, somewhere Georgie and I have never managed to get to before we got beat by the heat.
Wat Pho looks similar to the Grand Palace from outside except obviously smaller but despite the grand façade it still took us completely by surprise just how big the “giant” Buddha actually is… By the time we were at the entrance to the Wat we were all wilting a little bit from the heat but once inside it all seemed to get forgotten as we stared up at the huge golden Buddha. The entrance opens onto the large room directly under the Buddha’s massive head and from there you can see all the way to the end of the building following the golden giants curves all the way to his feet, it was hard to take it all in as we walked to the end, getting a peek of him in giant sections between the buildings pillars. The soles of his feet are intricately inlaid with mother of peal depicting Buddhist scenes and at about three metres tall it begs the question what kind of shoes would a giant golden Buddha wear with three metre feet… Big and jazzy I bet!
On the other side the wall is lined with small pots which as you pass you pop a coin in each one and make a wish.
By the time we had finished in Wat Pho and got back to the river boat stop we were properly done in and even a stiff breeze off the river couldn’t perk us up so we jumped in a tuk tuk and got back to the Khao San Road sharpish, bought our tickets out of Bangkok, did a spot of last minute shopping and had some grub off a street stall.
It was getting late by the time our bus was ready to leave and sat on our bags amongst all the fresh travellers new off the plane waiting to get aboard brought back fond memories… Little did they know just how much of a comfort fiend Georgie was and how she would literally walk all over them for the best seats… She did just that and they didn’t even see it coming! The bus was the usual kind but with one big difference, on the bottom floor where there is usually just bag storage there was a large room complete with sofas, TV and tables… Georgie was straight in there and with our backs burning from the jealous stares of the other passengers we climbed aboard into our luxury “cabin” and settled in for an easy nights travel…
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yo, tell ur friend she’s welcome.
my plans are to head out of Thailand on saturday and back to the states for a few months. I’ll be in England on the 9th of june but i doubt u will be but maybe if ur back in europe this summer we can meet up. if not, well, maybe ur friend is free hahaha
I can actually relate on your post. I have been to Thailand once and have took a picture with that giant reclining Buddha. It’s always nice to reminisce our travels.