Bangkok

It is probably fair to say that both of us were a little apprehensive about what we would think of Bangkok.  It is notorious for being a city of sleaze and skyscrapers, pervaded by an air of thick exhaust fumes.  It is, however, like most cities in that it is multifaceted and alongside the above, it is a city of ancient temples, gorgeous silks and quiet soi spaces.  Bangkok sets a modern, fast and furious pace but skill maintains its links with an exotic past.

On our first day in Bangkok we went on a city tour which involved a trip down the Chao Phraya river, the Royal Palace, the Emerald Buddha and two famous wats: Wat Phra Kaeo and Wat Arun (the temple of the dawn).

Original wall engravings showing key points of anatomy
 for Thai massage as an aid to healing at Wat Phra Kaeo

Wat Arun as viewed from the river

On our second day we went on a one an half journey to Ayutthaya, which is considered by the Thai nation to be the very centre of the ancient culture of  Siam.  This site was far more spread out that the parklands at Sukothai, which indicated its importance through the enormous area that the ruins covered.  The site itself was in relatively poor condition due not only to time; but the battle that the Thais had with the Burmese in the 15th century, when the Burmese literally raised it to the ground.

Our taxi driver took us to Ayutthaya via the King's Summer Palace which he considered to be a must-see.  To speed up the tour we hired a golf buggy which Mary drove whilst Peter navigated.  We ended up having more pictures taken of us, all by giggling  women, than we took pictures of the palace, as it is very unusual for a woman to drive in Thailand.  We took in a quick temple and then had an excellent lunch in a riverside restaurant.

We had our taxi driver take us around the three main sites where we used an excellent audio tour, explaining the historical purpose and context of the buildings.  We thought that we had done a really good  job by the end of the day, since the temperature was up to the mid thirties and horribly humid.  We were absolutely shattered and the journey back took about an hour and  a half.  Imagine how delighted we were to arrive back at our hotel to find our room decorated with flowers.  The landlady has even given Mary seeds to bring home to England.    

The third trip we took whilst in Bangkok was to Katchanaburi, in the west of Thailand and this was exciting for two reasons.  Firstly we went to see the famous bridge over the river Kwai, immortalised in David Lean's film of that name, starring Sir Alec Guinness.  The bridge is as it was, except for the middle section which was destroyed by the allies in WW2 and this has been replaced.  The famous Death Railway, built by POWs and Asian labourers remains intact.  We went to visit one of several cemeteries dedicated to the many troops involved in this project.    

Secondly, we went to visit a Tiger Temple in the afternoon, founded by an abbot when villagers first took a sick and tiny tiger to him for help.  We make no apologies for what follows - our delight is quite evident to see - more about this when we get home.
     On a dive boat now for six days so more later.