It seems as though our electronics do not like to travel! Lyn’s cell phone got stuck on the boot up page, and after a little fiddling, it now refuses to turn on. Next I tried to adjust my watch to the local time zone, but it refused to obey. Being one of these electronic gizmos there is no manual way to adjust the hands. The electronics move the hands backwards or forwards to match the time in the local time zone. The hands would move forwards OK, but wouldn’t go back more than 15 minutes. The result, it’s 1345 now, but the watch says 1458!! I knew I should have bought that new watch I’ve been looking at before we left.
We arrived in Bangkok at 0600 local time. We got off the aircraft and were met by a guide to take us through immigration. We were able to use the fast track, but the term fast was only relative to the other track. Entering Thailand was reminiscent of flying into the US. Fingerprints left hand, finger prints right hand, thumb print left hand, thumb print right hand and finally photograph. The good news was, that having taken a while to get through immigration we arrived at the baggage belt just as the bags started coming off. We did well; Lyn’s bag was second off and mine was fifth. Once through customs our airport guide handed us over to our tour guide for the next few days. We headed out of the airport to our transport, it was hot and humid, even that early in the morning. It took about an hour to get to the hotel due to rush hour traffic, however at least they drive on the correct side of the road here, which is surprising as Thailand was never a British colony. Once there we got settled in and went for breakfast. The hotel is billed as a resort, and in fact it is very similar to any of the resorts you would stay at in the Caribbean.
After breakfast it was time for a quick nap and shower to ward off any jet lag. Thailand is 11 hours ahead of Ottawa. We then headed off to check out the local shopping mall attached to the hotel. The mall was interesting in that it had a few high(ish) end stores as well as Burger King, Boots (a UK pharmacy), Starbucks and a 7-11!
After this mornings downpour, the humidity has dropped, even if the temperature hasn’t. In an hour or so we are heading out with our guide for a tour of China Town for some food and drink.
Just as we entered Chia Town we were met by a transformer like figure. A lot of the work in China Town involves working on truck engines. What parts can’t be used are made into sculptures
We headed out to the older part of Chinatown first with some of the buildings dating back over 200 years
Below is the original Chinese Temple
Above is a shrine to Grand-parents!
Today was the first day of the “Vegetarian Festival” in China Town, the aim of this is two fold, for 10 days eat vegetarian meals and cleanse the body of all the bad stuff from eating meat. Secondly is to showcase how close to the real thing vegetarian meals can taste!
We stopped off at a local bar to sample the Thai beer, this was located on a roof top so I could get a few pictures of the Bangkok skyline.
The building above was designed with the bits “missing”
After the beer it was back down to the streets which were lined with people selling their wares and the place was mobbed. No photos unfortunately as it was very crowded and pouring with rain!
Next we stopped at a restaurant for a mixed Chinese Thai meal which was very tasty. By the time we finished the rain was still coming down, so we decided to head back to the hotel.
Above, the entrance to China Town at night.
Tomorrow we’re off to see more sights of the city.