Finch and I stayed at Niras Bangkok, which is where we stayed in 2009. The place is a winner if you're looking for somewhere to stay in Bangkok. We went on a walking tour on Monday which lasted 6 hours. The tour was fantastic - 1 tour guide and 2 ignorant Australians. We saw a lot of temples and budha images (statues for the uninitiated). There was a great view over the whole of Bangkok from the Golden Mountain. The tour included china town which was really good, although it is difficult to get used to motor bikes shooting through the crowded markets. (Think Adelaide Central Market on Christmas eve only much less organised with motor bikes dodging people). That evening we went to Molybar near Khao San Rd. It is a bar that I've now visited about 5 times over two trips to Bangkok - It has outdoor seating and a relaxing atmosphere. The water (mist) sprays are a welcome addition since last time we were there.
We headed to MBK (big shopping centre) where I got a haircut which included an awesome head and neck massage. I also bought a pair of shorts which turned out to be a bit tight in the arse when I got them home. The shorts did come in handy though - I traded them for a tuk tuk ride back to the hotel that night. We met an Australian (of course) yesterday afternoon and hung out at Khao San Rd, China Town (amazing sea food) and Pat Pong Rd.
We've just arrived in Khao Lak having had an early start to fly from Bangkok to Phuket and are staying in Jerung Guesthouse. The place has great rooms at 1200THB per night (about $40). I've organised my diving and extra courses for the coming few days. 16 dives, Deep dive specialty course (40m) and a Nitrox course (diving with oxygen enriched are to reduce nitrogen loading in the blood allowing the diver to stay under for longer). I'll be heading away on the Pawara for 4 nights tomorrow evening. Check out the links for details of the trip:
http://www.bigbluedivingkhaolak.com/liveaboards/pawara-liveaboard.html
http://www.bigbluedivingkhaolak.com/liveaboards/typical-itinerary.html
I've now uploaded some photos:
K (our tour guide) and I outside of a temple believed to be the centre of the universe.
Sunthon Phu - The World's Great Poet.
View of Bangkok from the Golden Mount.
View of Bangkok from the Golden Mount.
View of Bangkok from the Golden Mount.
Giant Swing (No longer in use)
Buhda Images at the Emerald Temple
Temple believed to be the centre of the universe.
At same temple.
At emerald temple.
Ministry of Defence.
Grand Palace.
At emerald temple.
At emerald temple.
At emerald temple.
Laid back Budha.
China Town.
