A busy day in Bangkok

Tuesday 3 October 2023 34

Breakfast near the ferry terminal.

On the river

Having fun working out how all the different coloured ferries work. We got into trouble for not having the right tickets on the first one. Apparently, we nearly dodged a 16 baht fee. But still the best way to get across the river.

The Grand Palace and the Queen Sirikit Museum of textiles.

A very hot explore of the Grand Palace and it’s impressive mosaic cladding of so many buildings. We arrived early but still busy, however the Thais are very good with crowd control and we were moved around efficiently. A highlight for me was an optional extra museum at the end that most visitors ignored, an exhibition of regional textiles and dresses of Queen Sirikit.

Oh dear. Not the right train station.

Walked across from Chinatown to the main station to book tomorrow’s ticket North but discovered it was the wrong one. All long-distance trains moved their departure to a new station several KMs north. Couldn’t bear to walk the 3km home in the heat so sought some advice about busses. Happy to finally be sitting down.

Resetting at the hotel.

Another swim in the pool to shake off the heat and while we were planning our evening the heavens opened and the thunder struck. Me thinks we will be catching a taxi to the Cabaret show planned for tonight. EDIT: The rain eased a little so we borrowed hotel umbrellas and braved the elements. See Olivia crossing the road. Unfortunately this weather is planned for the next week. Let’s hope it eases further North.

Ladyboy cabaret at Asiatique.

Did one of the ‘must sees’ in Bangkok a lady-boy show. Calypso was a high-energy lip synched performance. The dancing was nonstop and the costume changes impressive. Family friendly and the venue was clean, modern and gleaming.