Token sightseeing

Token sightseeing

Having been to Bangkok three times in recent years, I didn’t feel like doing any sightseeing.  But as Kim hadn’t been here (in earnest) for a while I thought I should show him the nearby sights.

We set out after breakfast at 0930.  It was stinking hot when we walked to the Chao Phraya River Express to visit Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.  It was only a few stops away.  I was drenched walking around the site and couldn’t wait to move on.

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We crossed the river by a ferry dedicated to going back and forth between Wat Arun and Wat Pho piers.  It was a short walk to Wat Pho which was famous for its Reclining Buddha.  Entrance here was understandably more expensive than back on the other side of the river.

The Reclining Buddha was as impressive as ever.  We continued our visit around the complex where there were numerous other Buddhas and chedis.

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We crossed the river back to Wat Pho to catch the Chao Phraya River Express back to Phra Arthit, our stop near the hotel.  The cross-river ferry attempted to dock at Wat Pho while another ferry was docked there nearly full.  We had to disembark through that other ferry while both were knocking and rocking.  Rather dangerous!  Most of the time, the skill and judgement of the boatmen here are amazing but this time, I think they were taking unnecessary risks.

Rest and relax

We couldn’t wait to cool off in the shower and air-conditioning.  But our tummies called out soon after which meant we had to go out in the heat for a feed before resting indoors till late afternoon.

I had my last massage in Soi Rambuttri in the evening.  The guy was really good and strong; my previous one few days back had been very strong as well.  While the one few days back did a good job walking on me, and lightly “jumping” (kind of lighten his weight before coming back down), it was a little scary.

We treated ourselves to dinner in a nicer place tonight.  While delicious, it probably wasn’t any better than in some street outlets.  My short stay in Bangkok had come to an end.

Bar in a converted old VW Combi.