Days 15 - 19 - Singapore, Bangkok & Ayutthaya

Day 15 - Singapore
Woke up around 9 after a good nights kip and then we were up and out fairly sharpish. Wandered down the road for what can only have been breakfast with the worst tea ever! Then a quick MRT and bus ride to the Botanical Gardens where we wandered around for a couple of hours with numerous drink stops made compulsory by the heat & humidity. (D struggling) The gardens are beautiful and also massive – we only covered about half of it.

Then it was back to Sentosa Island (by bus this time not cable car) for some beach time. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas as it “chucked” it down. Spent our time wandering around dodging raindrops before finally admitting defeat and heading back to the city. Straight to the hotel for a shower and a change and we were back pounding the pavement. Walked to Raffles bar – Bar made famous as the Singapore Sling was invented there. M had one, l had a beer (+ some of M’s sling!). Very nice.
Also it appears that it’s OK to throw your peanut shells on the floor – just plain untidy if you ask me!

Then it was off to the riverside – spectacular back drop of skyscrapers. Quick stop at the Sir Stamford Raffles statue (British founder of Singapore) and then we wandered along the river to sit at a outdoor riverside Chinese restaurant. Treated to a free fireworks display as well courtesy of some posh party going on across the river – thanks!
Then it was time to call it a day as we had an early start to get our flight to Bangkok tomorrow….. Zzzzz

D xx

Day 16 – Singapore - Bangkok
Up at 6:30, checked out and to the airport with ruthless Singaporian efficiency. Made use of the free internet and even time for a quick smoothie.
Flight was OK, though not quite long enough for either of us to finish our films.
Arrived in Bangkok and decided to choose the slowest passport control queue….. 50 minutes later we got our taxi to the hostel – Ban Sabai hostel which we later learnt means relaxing house. We certainly agree. We went straight up to the rooftop pool and reveled in our good fortune – Thanks Niamh, great recommendation.

Finally tore ourselves away from the pool and went to the city. (minus guide book and map – big mistake) Had some noodles and ‘Pad Thai’ at a cheapy market and then wandered around fairly aimlessly hoping to stumble across an internet café so we could print off a map so we could get back to our hotel – eventually found one so all was right in the world once more!

Both pretty tired and a little fed up we headed back towards the MRT station. We both somewhat impulsively decided to stop off for a Thai Massage. (Only 3 GBP for hour) The place looked a little seedy but once inside we were given tea, had our feet washed and then both ushered upstairs to change into what can best be described as stripey pyjamas (not sure there are many 6ft tall Thai’s…… I’m sure you can picture it) We were then both pummeled and poked all over for an hour. The girls can’t have weighed more than 5 stone but they poked well above their weight. We then left, much happier if a little sorer, and headed back to the hotel. An interesting day to say the least.

D xx

Day 17 - Bangkok
Up fairly early and straight into town. Ended up in what l hope I the worst area of Bangkok… hot, dirty, smelly… and nowhere to eat. At least nowhere that we wanted to eat. Tried to head up river on a riverboat but were blatantly approached by some rip-off merchant who spotted us as potential prey. Not sure what gave us away, could have been the map, camera, confused look on our faces and the buckets of sweat pouring off my head!

Finally got a taxi to the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, (It’s actually jade and not emerald) had some food (at last) Mandy was about to keel over from exhaustion and headed into the palace.
Amazing. Full of extremely ornate, decorative temples and shrines. Saw the little green man (only 75cm tall – bit like Yoda really) and then we were done there.




Approached by another guy outside (so we were both a bit sceptical) who told us where we should go and called a tuk-tuk driver over. (3 wheeled motorbike with seats for 2 or 3 on the back – there are 1000’s of these in Bangkok and most take advantage of tourists) Luckily, as it turned out, the guy was genuine and our tuk-tuk driver drove us all around Bangkok for the rest of the day, (about 5 hours) waiting for us at all our stops, and all for just 20 Baht. (About 30p) Being the generous guy that I am, I tipped him another 20 Baht – he seemed pleased enough!

Our stops included; Standing Buddha (very tall gold Buddha), Reclining Buddha, (about 50m long and 8m high, also gold), Thai tailors where we both decided to spoil ourselves and get measured up for a fully tailored suit. All for just 75 GBP each – bargain. And finally, to the Thai Authority for Tourism (TAT) where they helped us sort out in just 1 hour the rest of our time in Thailand – flights, bus tickets, train tickets, ferry ticket, hotels, treks, cooking schools… everything! All of which you’ll hear about in the coming weeks!

Both absolutely knackered (M with really bad headache, sorry, I’ve just been told “it was a migraine”) we headed back to the hotel with food en-route.
Bed was calling. We both agreed that tomorrow would be a lazy day. Mandy should have listened to her Mummy!

D xx

Day 18 - Bangkok
Finally, a lazy morning. 12 hours sleep, and a hearty breakfast of Cornflakes, yoghurt and tea (which was bought at Tesco’s of all places late the night before) we lounged around the pool for a few hours – bliss!

Headed out for lunch, M had the spiciest of curries whilst D played safe with sweet & sour. We had an appointment with the tailors for a fitting so we headed over on the Sky Train (elevated train) which gave us a good view of the city – some nice parts that we’d yet to see so some faith was restored in Bangkok.

Was fun getting measured for our suits – M’s wasn’t quite right. They’d given her a baggy bum! All tucked up we walked back to the Sky Train station by a huge shopping mall. (D not happy on the heat) Had a delicious dinner followed by ice-cream – yum!

Thoughts of going to the cinema or IMAX or bowling were all abandoned for one reason or another so we headed home (via a very elongated taxi ride – another rip off merchant) to pack our bags for an early start.

D xx

Day 19 – Bangkok - Ayutthaya
Today (so far) l have mostly been sweating!
Up at 5:30 for our hotel pick up to take us to the train station. Got there with loads of time to spare. (Both cursing as we could have done with the sleep)

Got the train to Ayutthaya (original capital of Thailand) which took around 90 mins. Train was rammed, but we managed to pinch some seats despite only having standing tickets. Ignorance is bliss.

Arrived in Ayutthaya, stored our bags at the station and went exploring. River ferry in to the old town (is on an island) and after a riverside drink we hired some bicycles for the day. (60p each) Spent 4 or 5 hours cycling/sweating around the town visiting various ruins of temples which are very impressive. They’re classed as a world heritage site so they were well worth seeing.

We’ve just dropped the bikes off and 3 hours to kill before getting our overnight train north to Chiang Mai. (both excited at the prospect)
We took your advice Sam and are going on the air conditioned carriage.

Took a while to find a decent internet café to write this blog. We left the first one rather quickly after a cockroach scurried over Mandy’s foot – Ugh!

We may be out of communication for a few days as we’re going trekking in the jungle.

Speak soon,

D xx