On Wednesday 27th Feb, we went into Bang Na central shopping centre where Benn's office is located, and met him for lunch, which we had at the Banana Leaf Thai restaurant. Afterwards Benn had to go back to work, so we went into the Tops supermarket there and looked at everything they have - And tried quite a few free samples. The supermarkets here really do put Coles and Woolies in Australia to shame - The choices are immense (no forcing you to take generic brand products). And on top of that, the prices are so much cheaper in most cases. I love wandering round the supermarkets here - There is a surprise of some kind round every corner !! Sarah loves the little pretzel booths - And I can see why - Fresh ones are rather yummy !!
On Thursday 28th we had a quiet day - After the usual delicious breakfast of fresh tropical fruit
(and sometimes an omelette !) we took Janet to the airport and then after some minor shopping, came back to the apartment and relaxed in the pool. Also went downstairs later in the afternoon and did some "proper" swimming in order to get some decent exercise.
Driving around, we are occasionally fortunate enough to use Benn's company van (when he doesn't need it), although usually we just catch the train or a taxi of some description (car or bike or Tuk Tuk). While looking like fun, Tuk Tuk's are actually not so good because you are sitting out in the middle of all the exhaust fumes, stuck in the innevitable traffic jams, and it really isn't much fun. At least on the motorbike taxis you are weaving in and out of the traffic all the time, so are not only a lot quicker, but you don't feel so exposed to the fumes, and certainly not for so long. Taxis are OK, but if the traffic is bad, they do not help much ! When faced with a traffic jam, often one just pays the taxi what is on the meter and you jump out and either jump on a motorbike, or if a station is nearby, jump on the train.
Talking of Benn's van, it really is amazing. Traffic in Bangkok is pretty bad, so you plan to spend a lot of time in your car, and therefore it has to be user friendly !! A BIG van, the driver and front passenger seats are partitioned off from the back by a half height section. In the back it has two fully reclining armchairs, and behind them is a full width back seat for 3 people. So the seating is rather comfortable, especially if you want a nap !! But if you want to nap, you need darkness, so of course there are full curtains on every window. If you need to do some work instead, you can plug your computer in as there is 240V inverter in there. But probably the most impressive facility in there is if you want to watch a DVD - Press a button and a 20" screen rises out of the partition behind the driver's seat !! Makes the traffic jams of Bangkok much easier to live with on a daily basis !!
Friday 1st March (pinch and a punch.....) of course we did the cycle tour, as detailed separately, while on Saturday 2nd March Benn went off to play golf with his company staff, so Sarah and I head out to Sukhumvit Soi 23 where we had noticed a lot of neat little restaurants and bars and shops when we were driving through there last week. So we thought we should explore a little more. So we jumped in a taxi (instead of a motorbike, in deference to poor Sarah's sore leg from her bicycle accident yeterday), but not 500 yards up the road hit a major traffic jam. So we jumped out right beside a train station, so caught a train instead and were at our destination in 5 minutes.
We wove in and out of the little lanes (soi) that you never normally see unless you get off the main roads. We found all sorts of interesting places, but as it was about time for some refreshment out of the heat, when we saw a delightful little bakery, we went in and had a really good jam donut and a little ham and cheese roll, along with a VERY stong coffee !!(not intended !). But a lovely little bakery. Then it was back on the streets and we looked at butchers, more bakers, (there seem to be a lot of little bakeries round here), then Sarah got her favourite coconut milk drink from a roadside stall. Bit more walking and wandering, (we saw an exquisite creeper plant on a fence whose tiny flowers looked exactly like miniature bouganvillea), and by then we were hot and hungry because we had been walking for about 4 hours now ! So we went into Bibimbab - A chain of Korean restaurants that do a kind of "hot bowl" dish which keeps cooking until you eat it ! And I have to say - Delicious, so if you ever see "Bibimbab" advertised (it is actually a specific Korean dish), go and try it - You may well enjoy it.
After that it was back to the apartment before going out for a Mexican meal in the evening.
Saturday night in Bangkok and it seems half the world is out for the evening, Crowded streets with lots of street stalls for food and people wandering the streets. Great to see. We inspected a few of the food trolleys - Lots of interesting things - Not sure what some of them were !!
Went to Coyote. I really enjoy my Mexican, so with a couple of Margaritas and daquiris, some deep fried cheese stuffed jalepenos, and some enchiladas and chimmichangas and tacos, we had a great feed. A very pleasant evening - And I do like my tequila !!!
We were watching TV in the car on the way - a TV series called Fringe. Hmmm - Very interesting. Might have to start watching it.
When we got hom, we watched another programme of Fringe before going to bed !!
Sunday 3rd March - My last day :-( The sky was noticieably full of black clouds today - First time we had seen them. Was the wet season starting ??? For a while we watched a few more of the Fringe programmes (yes, I am hooked !!) while we had some leisurely breakfast and coffee. Later in the morning we set off to go to the Aussie pub to have a beer or 3 and watch the Aussie Rules football on TV, which is Benn and Sarah's weekend passion. We decided to go by train as it was only just 2 stops up the track, but just as we reached Phrom Phong station, the heavens opened !! No problem while we were on the train - But that only lasted about 5 minutes - Then we had to get out !! We got about 100 yards up the road before we had to take sheter as the rain was just SO heavy !
How were we going to get to the pub - which was only two or three hundred yards up the road ? Suddenly a Tuk Tuk appeared - and the reason for tuk tuks was obvious when it rains - They have a roof !!! So we leapt in - And couldn't stop laughing as it was just as wet inside as outside - They may have a roof, but they don't have sides, so when the rain is horizontal, it makes for a wet ride. Good for a laugh anyway, and just up the road we leapt out and run into the pub to order a beer.
NO BEER !!! Sorry. What ? Why ? Who ever heard of an Aussie pub with no beer !!! Turns out that it was local election voting day, and no alcohol is able to be served anywhere on election day !! So it was soft drinks all round o go with our meal, but that just wasn;t too conducive to watching footy !! As the rain had now stopped, we went back to the apartment by train, and it was time for me to pack. Then just as we were about to leave, the power went off !! And we were on the 25th floor !! Carry my suitcase down 25 floors ????!!!!!! Oh no !!! Anyway, we went out into the lobby, and joy of joys, the elevator lights were on !! They were working !! So after a wonderful 10 days exploring Bangkok with Sarah and Benn, the ending was good and I didnt have to carry my suitcases down 25 floors !! Trouble free trip to the airport with Jum the driver, and safely on the plane home.
Sarah and Benn - Thank you SO much for putting us up, and putting up with us. I have really enjoyed myself, and found the Thai people so friendly - It really is a "Nation of Smiles". And the food has been delicious, and the adventures great. Thank you both so much.
And as a postscript, I have to mention the fact that there is a urinal in the apartment's downstairs bathroom !! Never seen one in an apartment before !!! ROFL.
Rest of the pics of the last few days are here. https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0011Bangkok2?authkey=Gv1sRgCPeMlsi117u_kQE#
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