Day 2
Guess who was up for breakfast next morning - what a difference a wife makes - whilst we were eating Heather was committing to paper that mental list of things she wanted to buy - I was beginning to regret that statement - I rang my taxi driving friend and he could not do the Kanchanaburi trip - so we would have to find a driver for that but we arranged for him to drive us to Pattaya and lift us again 3 days later and also our trip back to the airport at the end of the holiday - list and breakfast finished we went to the tailors where Heather was measured up for a few pairs of trousers and blouses 3 of each and I put in my order for two of my friends supporters club for two flags and the whole lot only came to £60 - we went across the road to a travel agent and asked about available drivers for the Kanchanaburi trip and secured a car and driver for 3000 baht + fuel we were to leave on day 4 - then list in hand we ventured out hailed a passing tuktuk and headed for MBK -

We arrived and had the obligatory smoke before entering as it was impossible to light one on the tuktuk as it weaved its way through the BKK traffic and waged war at traffic lights etc - on a side note does anyone think it crazy that the traffic lights have a countdown light 19 18 17 etc then when its gets to 3 the bikes are revving and off on a 1 sec red light - meanwhile the bikes / cars / taxis coming the other way have a 3 / 2 / 1 green light and speed up to get through and they invariably meet in the middle with a lot of swerving but unique to Thailand no cursing no road rage - just an unbelievable acceptance

As we entered MBK Heather produce her list the top five items all related to footwear as usual - I needed a Thai sim card - my son had asked me to get his I pod fixed if possible (screen) plus he had two broken I pods given to him that he wanted fixed if possible - we wanted dvds - computer progs - etc etc - Plus the usual tourist stuff and money changing - we wanted to feed - and Lubricate - so off we set - I surmised and this is the best way to go that if you need things fixed - sim cards - phones - dvds etc - then do that first as it may take time and mean calling back an hour later etc - we needed some jewellery fixed and cleaning - so the phone was dropped off for chipping and sim card -the dvds were ordered - the rings were left in for altering / cleaning - the I pods were left for various reasons - which all took about 1.5 hours - by this time we needed more nicotine intake and refreshment - which was when I sampled my first BKK iced coffee (which can be great or cr*p) I / we were on a learning curve and enjoying the process

We then went in search of designer handbags / shoes shoes and more shoes - tops , trousers , dresses , bikinis , etc and of course were not disappointed - we then went to KFC - big mistake not the same as UK as the Thais either do not like chicken breast or they export it all to Tesco - the former is of course the answer I now know - shopping is fraught with danger in Thailand you can be ripped off - you can get a bargain - you MUST barter or you will BE RIPPED off - but rule of thumb - IF YOU THINK ITS CHEAP and a bargain then it is - its all relative - or it’s a con - but the fun is in finding out which is which and it need not be expensive to learn - - once Heather was happy with her first days shopping - we then went back to pick up items left i.e. phone I pods etc - the phone cost me 200 baht for chipping and sim card with 50 baht credit - the I pods were fixed and cheaply apart from one which the guy told me he was not happy and could I call back following day and see if he could rectify the problem - I agreed when we went back next day he said I cannot fix to my satisfaction so no charge - this impressed me so much as in the UK it would be - I have spent x hrs on it and cant fix so that’s £30 please - service in Thailand yet again coming out on top - once we had, had enough of MBK we headed for Siam square - where Heather managed to find more shoes dresses trousers bags purses etc that she could not do without - I was already begging to worry about getting home with weight in bags etc - the market in between MBK and Siam square has to be experienced when in BKK - its just great - it was now maybe 4pm and we were hungry so we looked around for an eatery and saw just across the road The Hard Rock Café - remember I / we are still in tourist mode - do it had to be - I must admit it is one of the best HRC in the world as far as I am concerned mainly due to the service -but the food was also excellent - when we were sated - we got a taxi back to the hotel with all the intentions of heading out for the night - but the BKK traffic meant we arrived back almost an hour after getting into the taxi so with HRC and taxi we were arriving back at almost 7pm - so after going to the room and sorting out the suitcases with stuff not to be unpacked before arriving back in UK and that that would be used again we then went to the karaoke bar again and I have to admit we were both induced into the moment and enjoyed the very same stuff that the night before seemed crass - Heather - I was now convinced was falling in love again this time with Thailand and not me but at the same time I was falling again - I just love the place - we stayed till about 1am and had a few nibbles whilst there - the porters now knew our names and were more than happy to help with all our requests including two extra pillows and a few more coffee sachets - so of to bed for more of the same on the morrow - which is exactly what am I am doing right now ………..