We don't have much time in Bangkok today. We decided to only spend one night in Bangkok. I know it is the largest city in Thailand and there are some amazing temples here, but we decided that we would rather spend more time outside of the craziness of Bangkok. Last year, Ali and I dragged the boys across Europe, and we agreed that this trip would be a bit more adventurous and active with fewer museums and churches/temples. So this evening we are off to Chiang Mai for a few days.
But before we leave, we still have almost a full day to fill up with site seeing in Bangkok. So we decided that the best plan of action would be to go and see the Grand Palace and Wat Pho (a giant reclining buddha statue). Our hotel called a taxi for us, where we were abruptly told that we were going to the wrong place and that our taxi driver had a better idea for us. We nicely told him that we just wanted to go where we had told him to take us, but he insisted that going by boat was better. We know that a lot of the time taxi drivers get commission or kick-backs from promoting certain attractions, so we are pretty sure that was the case here. We eventually said yes, what harm is a boat ride.
We eventually arrived at a little boat shop with the traditional Thai Longboats. We agreed to go on a 2 hour ride along the river and to a well-known floating market. It wasn't what we had planned of the day, but sometimes you just have to go with the flow. We walked down to the dock, where we were greeted by our boat driver. He quickly laughed, put his arm next to Ali's and said, "It's like chocolate and white chocolate." After a little laugh, we were off.
We boarded our longboat and headed back to main Bangkok. When we hopped off the boat, we were informed that the Grand Palace was actually closed, so instead we headed to see Wat Pho (full name is actually Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Ratchaworamahawihan...but we will stick with Wat Pho). Wat Pho is a giant, gold reclining buddha. "Wat" is what the Thai call a buddhist temple. Wat Pho is the largest and oldest of the wats across Bangkok, and the buddha statue housed here is one of the largest single Buddha images...close to 160 feet long!! (Another fun fact - this is also where thai massages were created and taught.)
After touring the temple grounds, we decided to wander around some of the streets in the area, before heading back to grab our backs and go to the airport for our flight to Chiang Mai. As we were walking down the street, a nice Thai man decided to help us find our way, he then hailed down a tuk-tuk for us and told us to get in and that the driver would take us to some more temples and then finally to a large market. We politely declined, but with both men telling us to go, and seeing that it wouldn't cost that much, we decided to go along with it...which seems to be a developing theme on this trip. On the drive to the first temple, our driver pointed out that we are from America (Jacob didn't correct him) and proceeded to say "America. Obama. Love Obama. Obama perfect"...none of us said anything...awkward.
The first stop was "Smiling Buddha". This was a smaller, quieter temple. There were no other tourists, which was nice, but there wasn't much more to sit and look at. We returned to our tuk-tuk driver who tried to tell us which stops were next, but we were running a bit short on time. We pointed to the market and said "Please just take us here." He continued to insist on the other temples, with the market saved for last. We said, "We only have a little time before we go to the airport. Market only please." At which point he threw his arms and the map in the air, told us that we are "not good" and then drove off yelling, "You are stupid." We would have paid him, but he left so suddenly that we didn't have the chance to do so...and now we are stranded with the Smiling Buddha. As we stood dazed at what had just happened, not sure if we should laugh or be concerned at being stranded, lost in Bangkok, we all decided to start laugh and telling each other "You are Stupid."
We easily found another tuk-tuk to take us to the market, where we wandered through stalls of daring meat-sticks and fresh fruits. We eventually grabbed some food from a small vendor. It was delicious. We decided to share a plate of pad thai, spicy basil chicken, and tom kha gai (my new favorite soup). By this time we had to head back to the hotel so that we could grab our bags and before heading back to the hotel. We grabbed our bags, arrived at the airport, checked into our flight to Chiang Mai, cooled off with a diet coke from trustworthy McDonald's, boarded our flight and landed in Chiang Mai. (A bit more detail on Chiang Mai tomorrow...)
We have made it safe and sound to our apartment in Chiang Mai. Time for bed, but tomorrow...TIGERS!!!
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