5/5 day 6

So to the penultimate day and one of the best of to River Kwai etc - we were up at 5.30am to get breakfast in my case only the second time - we were outside on time waiting for the “air conditioned” mini bus which I just sweated in from I got in till I got out - but the craic was good we stopped about half way there at a garage and stocked up on nibbles etc went to loo and all that - it took about 2 ½ hrs to get there - first stop the cemetery where the soldiers are buried that worked on the infamous railway - its right next to a major road with lots of stalls selling mementoes and other stuff as usual so lots of hustle and bustle BUT as we walked into the Cemetery I could hear nothing but the birds and the hairs on my neck rose it was a surreal experience - walking around the graves I could not help but notice that lots in the English sector were either Royal Engineers (my own corps) or the Manchester Regiment (where I come from) - one fact that I did not know there were more Australians than any other nationality buried there and the Australian government pay for the upkeep of the cemetery - next just around the corner the museum - not impressed - then off to the railway station to take a trip on the famous railway - what a trip over a rickety bamboo made trestle which was shaking whilst hanging off the side of train being encouraged by the guard (only in Thailand) - then it was off to a floating café on the river itself - then elephant riding before the trip back to Bangkok where we arrived at about 8.30pm a long long day - we went back to the flyover but could not see the kids - we were hoping to get all 5 out but no luck - reception had messages for me - the ring - the boots and my suit were all ready - they would have to wait till morning - no point unpacking so off to the bar - just one day left and so much to do - shopping the sea food place - get boots ring suit - try to see the street kids again and the massage had still not been tried by anyone but was still being talked about - we agreed if time we would all go before we left …………………………..

in the cemetery



floating cafe



the river



at the bridge (new one old one was bombed)



at a waterfall - stopped at the 4th one very steep there were actually 7



on the train



the elephant trek

Great, simply great!!!!! Getting ideas fror our next trip.

Phil,

I really do appreciate you taking the time to add your report to the forum. I think first-person perspectives - especially from people who clearly love Thailand as much as you do - are invaluable for giving new visitors to Thailand a feel for what to expect, what to do and where to stay. Waiting on the final day's reportage!

Might I add, it is also very pleasing to put a face to a name! Actually I will start a thread along those lines now to invite you all to share your mugs

6/5 day 7 - home time but not until 1.30 am so we had all day

I actually made breakfast again ABF as they put it which was fine but in Thailand they never seem to have great bread for toast or great bacon for some reason

Anyway the reason I made breakfast was not of my own making one of the ladies from the jewellers was at reception trying to deliver my wife’s ring - so a bleary eyed Phil went down and I was surprised that they had gone to the trouble of delivering the ring - you can imagine if you went to H Samuel and asked them to deliver to your hotel they would just laugh or charge you an arm and a leg for the privilege - she made doubly sure that I was happy with the ring and would take nothing save a cup of coffee in return - I was beginning to realise that one of the main reasons I like to shop in Thailand as well as be there is the service you can expect they really are service orientated - I was walking away from the reception was I was waylaid by the tailor who wanted me to try my new suit on I felt no more like doing it right then than throwing myself off the top floor but I went along anyway - it fit fine so he bagged it up gave me his card and said don’t forget the other bag also - whets in there I enquired - oh we made you a couple of complimentary shirts for you to try maybe you buy more when you come back - SERVICE - so I thought may as kill all the birds with one stone headed across the street and retrieved my wife’s new hand made boots - which had cost 1800 baht (£26.85 at the time) and they were spot on just hoped they fit (they did) - time was ticking along nicely our driver was due at 10am to go to MBK it was 9.30am and I had picked up all my items for going back had breakfast and showered so I killed the half hour sort of repacking as I did not ever unpack (slob) - I just hoped I was not overweight (the case that is) - then we all headed down to reception and got our bags left in with the porters - then went to check out - they were very very fast and asked us did we want a room to use later to shower and change of course we said yes - then we headed off for the day -

Remember this hotel was £13.75per night for a double with breakfast amazing value I think it’s a little more now but still fantastic value needs a facelift but still quite nice and the staff are second to none

Mandarin Hotel Bangkok Thailand - BEST DISCOUNT RATES Hotel Deals

You can see it here - just checked it can be booked for £20- 32 per night for two still great value and that’s without searching for cheaper

So off to MBK for last minute shopping - got more DVDs - more shoes for Heather - a few knickknacks - rugby shirts a couple of handbags - some tiger balm and a partridge in a pear tree - also bought a carry on bag to put stuff in to split the weight

Dinner time had arrived and our driver was there on time as usual to pick us up and take us to the seafood place - on arrival his brother was waiting for us - it was full of Thais always a good sign at an eatery - I was worried that I would find nothing to eat as I am not a seafood lover - I need not have worried they had an extensive menu - even had fish finger and chips with Heinz beans for the lad - my friends had to go and chose the lobster which was a monster - see photo - it cost about £20 for the lobster meal which they insist at the time in London where they live would have been £150-200 - I cant even remember what I had I think it was deep fried beef and pork satay - and the two drivers ate something they ordered in Thai and I don’t have a clue what it was anyway a few drinks as well and the whole kit n caboodle was about £35 (2345 baht) we were stuffed - sated - and satisfied - I will try to find the name and address of the place and post it

We headed back to the hotel via a few more “coupon shops” we rejigged all the bags to the best of our ability went for a few beers and a swim then showered and changed - we had one last try to see if we could see the street kids again to feed them but we never ever saw them again so we went to the place above the market for a snack - I was finished first and was persuaded to go ahead to the massage place down the street where they would follow - as I went in I was asked what I wanted - as I had never had a massage before and was very unsure of what kind of place this was ( after hearing stories of said places) I opted for the safest option of traditional Thai massage for one hour OMG was it painful this slight Thai girl was very powerful and strong and knew how to manipulate a body into positions I did not think were possible anyway in come the other three about 15 mins later laughing at me in pain and said we don’t have time and took a photo of me carried on laughing for a few mins then said meet you at the hotel (I have a suspicion I was set up for this ) - all joking aside whilst painful but bearable whilst she was doing the massage the feeling for a few hours after was amazing like floating on air - I now use these massages to relax before and after a flight - what jetlag ?

So back to the hotel just time for one farewell Singha and our driver was there again to go to the airport - I was sorry to be leaving and already was trying rehearse how to persuade my wife to go - as I was sure I wanted to come back and sample more of the delights of Thailand - the warmth of the people - the welcoming way in which they greet you - the service - the way of life - I felt like I was going away from home not back to it - and that was after only 7 days 6 of which were spent in Bangkok -I wanted - no I needed to explore this country a lot lot more - so back to earning a living - back to teaching people to drive - back to a UK that lets face it is not a nice place to be ……. The story will continue

SAWADEE KRUP (KHRAP)

THE LOBSTER - its the one on the plate





us in the seafood place with our new friends

for those who just want the whole lot at once and no photos

26/2

Hope I do not bore everyone silly - but here goes - I have been to Thailand now about 10-12 times and each time I go I get increasingly more inclined not to make the journey home - well back here as I now consider Thailand my home - anyway to the story

Heather and I were sitting in a hotel on Wenclaslas Sq in Prague just chatting on July 4th 2005 - I had booked us a weekend away for her birthday as a surprise - it had just been announced that Man City were to do a pre-season tourney in Thailand, jokingly I asked do you want to go (hoping she would say yes before I told her we would have to leave the following day as soon as we arrived back in N Ireland) but her answer was a straight no - her excuse "I will get bird flu" I went to the bar a bit dejected it must have shown because when I arrived back with the drinks she said "why don't you go you won't get another chance" - that became the understatement on the millennium - my face lit up and I could not wait to get back to NI to make plans to leave again straight away.

When I arrived home I was on the computer before the kettle had boiled looking up flights - I rang my mate in Manchester who I knew would be going but to my dismay he had already left - so I rang another on the off chance that he was going and could give me some short cuts as to where to book etc etc - he was leaving that night but said if you can find your way to the Mandarin Hotel on Rama IV we have a spare room as he had booked for himself his wife and son wanting only one room but they gave him two as there were three in the party so I had a hotel - my mates were flying from Manchester and London respectively and I was in NI so I just searched the internet until I found a flight with Thai Airways leaving Heathrow the following day and I could book it for £495 it was duly booked - now could I get a flight to Heathrow you guessed it not at the right times so I went on standby and got a flight with BMI out of Belfast city with no time to spare - Phil was on his way to the land of smiles and was knackered before he left - just made the Thai airways check-in in time - are you on your own sir said the nice looking Thai behind the counter - I replied that I was and she said would you mind sitting at the emergency exit with more leg room to help me out - already I liked the Thais and I was still in London - the flight over was good with lots of food and beverage and the kind of service only a Thai knows how to give - plenty of things to watch on my own little screen on the seat in front of me took a book with me and never read a page (which as it turns out is a running theme with me in Thailand next time I am not taking one ) The plane arrived on time after 12 hours at the old BKK airport - where on passing one of the money changing booths realised I had been ripped off in Heathrow luckily I had only changed £100 just to have some Baht - the first thing I ran into was a barrage of Thais offering me taxis - being first time naive and not speaking any Thai I agreed to the 900 baht to the hotel thinking that’s cheap (about £13.50 at the time ) plus I paid the tolls - I now know of course to go get the metered cabs and even better go to departures and get a taxi that’s dropping off.

Anyway I was in my cab and away and of course first time there was looking out the window the whole time to see anything of interest - I have to be honest my first impressions on Bangkok were not good I was thinking dirty scruffy etc people walking around with smog masks on dingy shacks to live in - traffic was horrendous etc etc - what have I let myself in for I thought - of course I need not have worried as this first impression was of course not right - I arrived at my hotel and was greeted by the footmen carrying my bags - anything we can do for you sir - we help you check in etc etc - I found my friend and quite a few others that I was not expecting in the same hotel - it was like being in Manchester for a match except they were all around a swimming pool in 35deg heat in shorts a T shirts having a singha so I joined in of course - my friend who had kindly got me the room then said we are off to patpong in a hour you coming - not knowing what he meant by patpong I of course said yes let go - so Phil had arrived in Bangkok and was about to be let lose on an unsuspecting patpong ..............to be continued


1/3

well I am back from England and a fruitful trip is was 4-2 at Chelsea what a result

BTW typo up top and cant seem to edit it was 2005 not 2004

so to get back to the story - I boarded my first tuktuk along with my friend his wife and son and headed for patpong that was experience on its own you never ever forget your first tuktuk - weaving in and out of traffic up between cars waiting at lights with millimetres to spare etc - anyway we arrived at patpong and I paid the driver 100 baht (I know I know its a 20/30 baht ride but my excuse is I had just arrived and that was £1.30 how was I to know) - we were dropped off just outside 7/11 and opposite what I now know is lady boy street - we mistakenly took it for patpong and headed in that direction - I took one look at it and said there is no way I am going down there esp. with a 12 year old in tow - so we went across the street for something to eat and found a nice little place just off the main road - the guys I was with are into spicy food etc so I should have been reluctant to let them order but as they were 2 day olds in BKK and I was about 3 hours I submitted - I was told its nice soup with chicken and pork in ok give it a go me thinks - OMG Tam Yam (sp) is bloody hot and its my one and only attempt without telling them to spice down that is

Whilst in the eatery we were talking to a couple of guys who pointed us in the right direction of patpong and informed us there were two PP1 and PP2 and how best to get round the two and see the “sights” - so we set off - going down PP2 then across to PP1 and back up to arrive back at tuktuk capitol - I was amazed and mesmerised at the sights sounds and smells - the overwhelming humidity and cramped spaces these people can operate in - you could not walk more than a few feet without being asked did you want sex - a suit - glow in the dark things - large Zippo lighters - t shirts - watches - fakes of every kind - etc etc I got stung for the afore mentioned Zippo and some glow in the dark thinks that you could squash into new shapes and faces - and BKK t shirt - and a fan - typical tourist - I actual believe the Thais can smell fresh meat ready for the taking - you live and learn

Anyway this was all thirsty work and we needed a drink so we stopped at one of the bars in the middle of PP1 as we did not want to go inside any of the “bars” “clubs” with a 12 year old we had a few beers and the obligatory salted and spiced nibbles and a few games of connect 4 all designed of course to keep you drinking and in their bar - the inevitable happened and our youngest reveller wants to go to the loo so we asked at the bar - to my dread they pointed at the girlie bar which was of course theirs also - anyway if ya gotta go as the saying goes as I was cross legged also I volunteered to take our youngun to the loo and run the gauntlet - my first experience of one of these “clubs” and we had to walk right past the stage to get to the loo so whilst steering my young companion and shielding him from the view as best I could we headed into the place - it was kind of sad as there a few guys in there having a drink and less with girls with them buying the odd drink for company and later maybe pay the bar fine (found out later) the girls on the ~”stage” did not look like they wanted to be there gyrating slowly in various forms of undress and some looked doped - so not really a turn on more a turn off as far as I was concerned - I might add that by patpong standards it was early as it was still only 9.30pm - when we returned from our experience I told his mother and father and of course she said to him “you hold it till we get back” - I then spotted a fat 50-60 year old ugly looking woman sitting across the bar counting the biggest bundle of notes I had ever seen in two hands and girls were queuing up to give her more - I assumed she ran the place and later found out she did and was quite ruthless and charged the girls to “perform” and use her bar etc etc - so our first night was over I was very tired having a touch of jetlag it was 10.30pm and we needed to be up early next day to source tickets for the matches we had come to see and find the stadium - so we headed back to the hotel - but this time we used two tuktuks and the drivers agreed that whoever got there first was to get 100 baht if you came second you got zip - now that was experience we were flying down alleys cutting corners knocking over dustbins etc etc at what seemed like a crazy pace but I am sure the wind factor had something to do with that - we paid both drivers as we had had such a laugh - so I arrived back in the hotel where I have yet to see my room and unpack - but before I could get into the lift we were waylaid by some more unexpected friends from Manchester wanting a drink before bed so as we could not get away we joined in the young lad and mum went to bed - I just wish I had been stronger and done the same as I still do not know what time I actually went but in the morning it felt like I had only slept and hour or two - so my first day in BKK is over and I am left with mixed feelings - some things had shocked - some had me feeling sick to honest - but I had also managed to have fun and I had a strange feeling of belonging which I could not explain and did not make me feel any better at the time so off to bed for an early start for day one of the Asia Cup where we were to play the Thai national team …….. But that will have to wait ………………………….

2/3

I was woken to sound of my door nearly caving in - “come on Phil brekkie” “you’re gonna miss it” - and I did - another theme on my first trip there - when they finally got me out of bed we headed downstairs and asked about where to get tickets and how to get to the ground we were told we could buy tickets at the ground and the best way was by hailing a cab and not to use the hotel limo service or the guys hanging around outside the hotel and make sure the driver turned on the meter - as it turned out the ground was about 18km away so off we jolly well went - to my amazement the taxi cost 130 baht at the time about £1.80 for 18km which took an hour

Again on the way there I was checking out the view from the cab only this time I was thinking these guys are very resourceful - you would notice Thais trying to sell the flowers for Buddha to hang in the car they could transport almost anything on a moped including 3 adults and six kids - a bale of hay - a wooden cellar - etc - they were selling things at the side of the road they had made from coke tins - bottle tops - bits of old wood - there were signs for laundries everywhere - nothing was going to waste - and slowly but surely I was beginning to think - you know its not dirty its just untidy or unorganised - then I realised it was really organised chaos - then how clever these people were - left to our own devices in the west most of would try for a while and fail claim government money or simply die - they guys were not only surviving everything life threw at them they were SMILING through it - welcome Phil to the land of smiles.

Anyway we arrived at the stadium and since I had missed breakfast I went straight away to the nearest stall selling what looked like sausages on a stick and bought a bag full to share - as I bit into the first one a taxi pulled up and the window was wound down and a voice shouted “Phil” it was only my friend who I had tried to contact before leaving the UK who had already left it was one of those find a needle in a haystack moments - out of millions of people in BKK he managed to find even though he did not know I was there - the rest of the day was absolutely brilliant the Thais know how to hold a tournament there were beer tents and food tents everywhere also souvenir shops etc - we had arrived at about 1045am for a 6.45pm KO so a lot of drink and food a lot of craic with all the fans there - one of the best days I have ever had as a football supporter we were enjoying it so much we decided not to watch the game before ours between Everton and Bolton and stay outside and mix with the locals - we met some great people - I gave a woman collecting tin cans 100 baht in my naivety I thought she worked for the stadium only after did I learn they were to sell on as scrap or to use to make trinkets - we met a crowd of young Thais all marching in a line with the same T Shirts on going to the game they just loved posing for photos with us - the game itself was **** we drew with the Thai team - then headed back to the hotel for some eats and a few more beers before bed - I still had not unpacked I was living out my suitcase day two was over and I was really beginning to enjoy Thailand - we had not yet made plans for the following day but I did not care in fact I did not have a care in the world - it felt at the time like I was falling in love and since this has been borne out - I am now in love with Thailand so five days left before having to go back and already I was thinking maybe I won’t want to go back………..
More to follow will try to keep it up each day but may miss the odd one this is going to be very very long as you can see this is trip one of ten at least so bare with me ………………………

3/3

On rising the next day - I actually made breakfast this time and my friends were already there making plans - they had decided that they were going to the Zoo - this was not for me I thought so I decided to go and hunt some of the bargains I had heard about and get my long suffering wife a pressie I also needed to change some money if I was to go shopping checking my pocket I had 3060 baht 3x1000 and 6x10 and some lose change - the conversation got around to massage and who was going to get famous Thai massage for some reason no one was committal - we arranged to meet later on and I left for my shopping expedition - I ignored to hotel taxis desk and the guys outside the hotel again and hailed a passing tuktuk who took me to my first destination River City shopping (30 bht) it was very nice but no bargains to be had
So I got another tuktuk and headed for MBK (30bht) paid the guy and headed for the complex it was massive looking at the directory it was 7 floors and hundreds of shops - stalls on each floor - I was making my first purchase of some “designer” t shirts which were 100 baht each - I went to pay and only had 30 baht in my pocket - OMG the realisation hit me 30 baht first tuktuk and 30 baht second one - I had given the second guy 3000 baht not 30 - so I had to leave the t shirts and went and got some money changed (one of the best places to change money is MBK but not the banks) - I then got a tuktuk back to River City as I got off the tuktuk I heard a guy shout you give me too much money and there he was running across the road to give me back my money I tipped him 300 baht and got him to take me back to MBK a conversation was struck and he could speak reasonable interest so I asked for places to go and see - he recommended the usual Grand Palace snake farm river cruise etc and reckoned he could organise all for cheaper than we could so he gave me his phone number and his brothers a taxi driver in case we needed them - I liked this guy (gut feeling) so I asked to come back in a couple of hours for me he said he would - and I went shopping - I was seeing things in these shops and stalls at unbelievable prices compared to home - but I had to wait because of the time difference to ring my wife and ask what she wanted so went for something to eat in KFC please do not do it god knows where all the chicken breasts go in Thailand but KFC are not buying them - once I had spoken to my wife I ended up with about 7 pairs of shoes tops jeans etc for her and a couple of mp3 players for my two lads plus t shirts gimmicky lighters and all the usual tourist stuff - once finished I walked outside and there was my tuktuk waiting - I explained that I wanted to get something special for my wife he said can you help me with fuel coupons and I find for you cheap (I know guys but this was my first time) so after stopping at two tailors - one where I got the big blue and maroon flag in the pictures made - then refusing to go into any brothels I asked about a jewellers so he took me to one which was massive and to cut a long story short I ended up buying a 1ct Burmese sapphire and getting it made into a ring which would be delivered to my hotel in 2 days I got it for the equivalent of £221 (on return home was valued at £750) - so he was happy and we had a good chat and stopped for a drink on the way back and a few nibbles - when I arrived back at the hotel I also got measured for a suit in the hotel tailors which cost £42 incredible since the cloth was imported from London of all places

Went up to my room and dumped the shopping and down to the bar vowing to unpack after I had, had a rest - met my friends in the bar and we swapped stories for the day - on hearing about the Thai guy I had met we agreed to ring him and arrange something for the following day - his brother was to pick up the 4 of us and take for a river cruise taking in the sites sounds and smells of BKK the following morning we also booked him to take us the 2nd and last game the day after - so that was almost the end of day and days 4 and 5 now had a plan - so we went to the travel agent in the hotel who was not around and the tailor came out and asked for one more measurement and said go across the street for a travel agent a lot cheaper - so we did so and arranged a day trip to river kwai etc for the 6th day - we then retired to the bar and restaurant for the rest of the evening and collapsed in bed quite late - I had still not unpacked

4/4

We were duly met after breakfast (which I missed yet again) by our driver the brother of the honest tuktuk driver - he took us direst to river city where he arranged a private boat for the tour of BKK by river / tributaries - this tour cost half the price of organised ones and only the four of us on the boat - I was really beginning to like these guys - we saw all the sites from the boat and stopped at the grand palace for about an hour - then again at snake farm (I now know that they earn from stopping but it still does not take away from what these guys did for me) stopping to refuel was an experience - just like pulling up at a garage but on water and a hell of a lot faster - we went passed lots of sites up all sorts of tributaries and were assailed by the best salesmen / women on a boat you could ever meet (all I am now sure in the pay of the boatmen / taxi driver) but nevertheless I really enjoyed it and it was still cheaper than booking elsewhere - we stopped again at the snake farm an unbelievable show which I am sure is not as dangerous as they make out and the obligatory photo was taken on the way in with tacky plates for sale with said photo on the way out which of course we bought (first time remember) we went to various temples the grandest of which was of course the grand temple (no pun intended) in the snake farm we not only saw the snake show but also monkeys / photos with snakes monkeys etc (cheesy first time stuff) and a couple of tiger cubs (I now know this to be wrong as far as I am concerned) along with feed the elephant (again wrong) (but it was the first time ) we ate BBQ cockroaches (taste like hot pork scratchings) mini squid on a cocktail stick etc - I was beginning to get into the Thai way albeit in a very very small way and I liked it - when we arrived back at River City we were met by our driver again who was a mind of info - my friends love lobster ( not for me ) so asked for a place to get a great one at a reasonable price - I know a place (now I would be surprised had he not) - But I must say these guys had plenty of opportunity to rip us off and did not - so at this point day 7 was agreed he would pick us up and take us on last min shopping then take us to said seafood place for a meal and we invited both him and his brother to partake at our expense along with the rest of the families (they declined that bit to their credit ) after which we were due to fly home and we arranged for him to take us to the airport - we had, had a great day viewing the sites and just as we got out asked where he would eat nearby we got directions only 100 metres from the hotel which we would never had found where the Thais eat - when we pulled up he made a remark about the flyover opposite our hotel about kids living underneath (5 of them - we asked why - because it is cheaper from the mafia was the reply - since I have learned the charging system to keep people down and the railway is the cheapest but a few die each day ) so me and my friends said we would try to get these kids out for a decent meal over the next few days - I also learnt that directly across the road was one of the best hand made shoe / boot makers in Thailand - so on leaving our “friend” for the day I mooched in there and rang my wife at the same time - found a style she described - then to decide what a size 5 uk was in Thai - I need not have worried the patron produced a young Thai size 5 for me to check the size and the making of the boots began - we then went around the corner to eat with the Thais in the place recommended earlier “brilliant” we ended up going there a few times over the next few days it was a brilliant day capped by the fact we had found some honest decent Thais who wanted to make our trip memorable (I might add that these guys are now my friends and whenever in BKK I ring them before anyone and they look after me as I do them ) - we then retired to the hotel and a few more beers flowed before hitting the sack I was by this time convinced that Thailand was for me (albeit naively) (as we all know it can be a minefield) - I went to bed yet again unpacked …………………..day 4 was over and I did not want this particular adventure to end …… to be continued

5/5 day 5 the second match

We were to play Bolton today never an exciting fixture at the best of times - I missed breakfast yet again - our new Thai friend met us at the appointed time and took us to the game early as we had enjoyed it so much last time but the atmosphere was not recreated for this game we had a good time but not as good as the first day - the buzz around the ground was that one of our players had let himself down (not for the first or last time I might add) Joey Barton had attacked an Everton fan the team hotel the night before - one wag had a banner proclaiming Joey Barton caught with lady boy - Sky tried to interview lots of us outside the ground on the pretence of SWP resigning but we were cute enough to ask what other questions they would have and when they mentioned JB we all declined to a man / woman - we were in the Radisson hotel after the game to meet the team coming back but they were under curfew because of the incident although we did get to meet some of the players on the way in and one or two broke curfew to come down and mix with the riffraff - we left at about 8pm got our friend to take us back where to conversation turned to the young lads living under the flyover - my friends wife decided she was tired and was going to bed on return the rest of us my friend his son and I decided we would try to get them out for something to eat - we dropped off my friends wife and went to the flyover to get the lads …

After about 15 mins of coaxing 2 of them came out we could not get the others out - through sign language we were able to get it across we meant no harm and we just wanted to help with feeding them a good meal although they were very very wary of us - what these kids must have been through I can only guess - anyway we approached the “street café” on the corner opposite the hotel where the owner spotted the two kids with us and tried to usher them away - we managed to get it through to him that they were with us and we wanted to eat - we yet the young lads pick and ordered 5 of each which was some form of soup and a chicken shar sui (sp) good stuff we ordered two beers which the owner ran off to the 7/11 to purchase and still the whole lot came to about the equivalent of £3 - almost as soon as they had ate they left ASAP - we suspect that they had never had anyone do anything like this before and were suspicious of our motives - but the day had opened my eyes to the other side of Thailand which is not nice - we went back to the hotel a few more drinks and bed yet again unpacked and was up early the next morning for our day trip to river kwai …….. that’s for the morrow

Will continue this trip in this thread then start a new on for each trip

5/5 day 6

So to the penultimate day and one of the best of to River Kwai etc - we were up at 5.30am to get breakfast in my case only the second time - we were outside on time waiting for the “air conditioned” mini bus which I just sweated in from I got in till I got out - but the craic was good we stopped about half way there at a garage and stocked up on nibbles etc went to loo and all that - it took about 2 ½ hrs to get there - first stop the cemetery where the soldiers are buried that worked on the infamous railway - its right next to a major road with lots of stalls selling mementoes and other stuff as usual so lots of hustle and bustle BUT as we walked into the Cemetery I could hear nothing but the birds and the hairs on my neck rose it was a surreal experience - walking around the graves I could not help but notice that lots in the English sector were either Royal Engineers (my own corps) or the Manchester Regiment (where I come from) - one fact that I did not know there were more Australians than any other nationality buried there and the Australian government pay for the upkeep of the cemetery - next just around the corner the museum - not impressed - then off to the railway station to take a trip on the famous railway - what a trip over a rickety bamboo made trestle which was shaking whilst hanging off the side of train being encouraged by the guard (only in Thailand) - then it was off to a floating café on the river itself - then elephant riding before the trip back to Bangkok where we arrived at about 8.30pm a long long day - we went back to the flyover but could not see the kids - we were hoping to get all 5 out but no luck - reception had messages for me - the ring - the boots and my suit were all ready - they would have to wait till morning - no point unpacking so off to the bar - just one day left and so much to do - shopping the sea food place - get boots ring suit - try to see the street kids again and the massage had still not been tried by anyone but was still being talked about - we agreed if time we would all go before we left …………………………..


6/5 day 7 - home time but not until 1.30 am so we had all day

I actually made breakfast again ABF as they put it which was fine but in Thailand they never seem to have great bread for toast or great bacon for some reason

Anyway the reason I made breakfast was not of my own making one of the ladies from the jewellers was at reception trying to deliver my wife’s ring - so a bleary eyed Phil went down and I was surprised that they had gone to the trouble of delivering the ring - you can imagine if you went to H Samuel and asked them to deliver to your hotel they would just laugh or charge you an arm and a leg for the privilege - she made doubly sure that I was happy with the ring and would take nothing save a cup of coffee in return - I was beginning to realise that one of the main reasons I like to shop in Thailand as well as be there is the service you can expect they really are service orientated - I was walking away from the reception was I was waylaid by the tailor who wanted me to try my new suit on I felt no more like doing it right then than throwing myself off the top floor but I went along anyway - it fit fine so he bagged it up gave me his card and said don’t forget the other bag also - whets in there I enquired - oh we made you a couple of complimentary shirts for you to try maybe you buy more when you come back - SERVICE - so I thought may as kill all the birds with one stone headed across the street and retrieved my wife’s new hand made boots - which had cost 1800 baht (£26.85 at the time) and they were spot on just hoped they fit (they did) - time was ticking along nicely our driver was due at 10am to go to MBK it was 9.30am and I had picked up all my items for going back had breakfast and showered so I killed the half hour sort of repacking as I did not ever unpack (slob) - I just hoped I was not overweight (the case that is) - then we all headed down to reception and got our bags left in with the porters - then went to check out - they were very very fast and asked us did we want a room to use later to shower and change of course we said yes - then we headed off for the day -

Remember this hotel was £13.75per night for a double with breakfast amazing value I think it’s a little more now but still fantastic value needs a facelift but still quite nice and the staff are second to none

Mandarin Hotel Bangkok Thailand - BEST DISCOUNT RATES Hotel Deals

You can see it here - just checked it can be booked for £20- 32 per night for two still great value and that’s without searching for cheaper

So off to MBK for last minute shopping - got more DVDs - more shoes for Heather - a few knickknacks - rugby shirts a couple of handbags - some tiger balm and a partridge in a pear tree - also bought a carry on bag to put stuff in to split the weight

Dinner time had arrived and our driver was there on time as usual to pick us up and take us to the seafood place - on arrival his brother was waiting for us - it was full of Thais always a good sign at an eatery - I was worried that I would find nothing to eat as I am not a seafood lover - I need not have worried they had an extensive menu - even had fish finger and chips with Heinz beans for the lad - my friends had to go and chose the lobster which was a monster - see photo - it cost about £20 for the lobster meal which they insist at the time in London where they live would have been £150-200 - I cant even remember what I had I think it was deep fried beef and pork satay - and the two drivers ate something they ordered in Thai and I don’t have a clue what it was anyway a few drinks as well and the whole kit n caboodle was about £35 (2345 baht) we were stuffed - sated - and satisfied - I will try to find the name and address of the place and post it

We headed back to the hotel via a few more “coupon shops” we rejigged all the bags to the best of our ability went for a few beers and a swim then showered and changed - we had one last try to see if we could see the street kids again to feed them but we never ever saw them again so we went to the place above the market for a snack - I was finished first and was persuaded to go ahead to the massage place down the street where they would follow - as I went in I was asked what I wanted - as I had never had a massage before and was very unsure of what kind of place this was ( after hearing stories of said places) I opted for the safest option of traditional Thai massage for one hour OMG was it painful this slight Thai girl was very powerful and strong and knew how to manipulate a body into positions I did not think were possible anyway in come the other three about 15 mins later laughing at me in pain and said we don’t have time and took a photo of me carried on laughing for a few mins then said meet you at the hotel (I have a suspicion I was set up for this ) - all joking aside whilst painful but bearable whilst she was doing the massage the feeling for a few hours after was amazing like floating on air - I now use these massages to relax before and after a flight - what jetlag ?

So back to the hotel just time for one farewell Singha and our driver was there again to go to the airport - I was sorry to be leaving and already was trying rehearse how to persuade my wife to go - as I was sure I wanted to come back and sample more of the delights of Thailand - the warmth of the people - the welcoming way in which they greet you - the service - the way of life - I felt like I was going away from home not back to it - and that was after only 7 days 6 of which were spent in Bangkok -I wanted - no I needed to explore this country a lot lot more - so back to earning a living - back to teaching people to drive - back to a UK that lets face it is not a nice place to be ……. The story will continue

SAWADEE KRUP (KHRAP)

Fantastic Phil, I have really enjoyed the read, Im guilty of not posting after ever story, I like to wait until theres a few to read then I comment lol. Love the photos as well.

(I have had problems trying to upload photos, can they be on your computer or do they have to be on a website etc.)
Cathy

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http://www.cathyandgarystravelpages.com

Thankyou so much for taking the time Phil to post your travels and the wonderful photos, was a very interesting read. Thankyou once again it was appreciated!

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Thanks for your response :)