Not much happening today. 

Simon went to the gym and I did a few lengths in the pool.   After a late breakfast and doing tidying, we decided to go out without a plan.  A big mistake!

After walking for what seemed like hours (Simons favorite pastime  ..NOT!) ..we ended up at the Siam Center where we’ve been to the fabulous cinema with reclining chairs, blankets etc, a few times.  After checking out the films, non of which excited us we decided to skip the cinema and head back.  Neither of us were in the mood for anything by this point.

On the way back, we stopped at a Mexican, food which was OK, nothing special and then we set off, stopping at the shop to buy a bottle of wine to go with our evening viewing 😀

What a morning!!

Leaving the apartment just before 7am I marched out of the gate, across the river to catch the Tuk Tuk that takes you to the BTS skytrain.  Unfortunately I’d just missed it, I could see it in the distance, so walked to the station which took me a good 10 minutes.  Arriving at Nana station I had to
take the train to Siam, change there and get another train Saphan Taksin station.  I thought that all was going well until 2nd train I got in, only went to he next station and everyone got off!!

Anyway, after jumping on another train (the right one) I arrived at Saphan Taksin station where I exited and then walked underneath the station to the Central Pier.  It didn’t help that there were 2 piers and obviously I went to the wrong one first 🙂  So with the time ticking, I waited for the Chao Phraya Express Boat.  I must say that with various boats coming and going, it wasn’t clear as to which went where but I managed to hop on the right one.

So once at Si Phraya Pier all I had to do was get off, turn left at the end of the alley and walk 200 meters and I’d be at Co Van Kessels office.  EASY!!

8.20am and after Si and I checked map last night, the boat ride said 15 mins  ..I was going to be sooo late. Stressed and texting Si, the boat stopped, passengers boarded and we were off again.  Glancing up, I saw ‘Si Phraya Pier’   ..I’d missed my stop AGHHH!!!!!!   Luckily the next stop was pretty close and I raced off the boat making my way back to their office which was very easy to find  ..once there I signed in, was given a bike and a guide led me to the group who had stopped at a temple just up the road.  So had not missed too much.

The 3 hour, now 2 1/2hr tour 😀 started in Chinatown  (next bit from the web page) exploring its frenetic market environment. Winding through narrow alleyways, our senses come alive with the sights, sounds, and smells of a community in motion. We’ll pass by shop houses selling everything from Buddhist amulets to recycled truck engines. Locals worshiping at hidden temples, ritual paper burnings, and the omnipresent spirit house display evidence of a culture centuries in the making.  Crossing the Chao Phraya River with majestic views of the city skyline behind us, we visit Thonburi, the historic third capital of Thailand. Contrasting chaotic Chinatown, peaceful elements of local Thai life abound as we cycle through diverse residential communities.

I really enjoyed the tour, you certainly get to see the other side of Bangkok.

A quiet day for both of us today.  I made Si a veggie bacon and egg sandwich for breakfast while I had banana and yoghurt, both very tasty.

After an hour or so on the computer we both headed down to the gym/pool where Si went running with Laura and I did some lengths in the pool and then stayed there for an hour or two, lapping up the sun.  Its odd weather here in Bangkok.  It’s usually bright and sunny until early afternoon and then, I suppose due to the pollution, its pretty overcast for the rest of the day.

After watching TV and walk to ‘Villa Market’ supermarket to get supplies for dinner, we didn’t go out at all.  We did however watch ‘Captain America II’ which was quite entertaining.

Oh yes, whilst on my laptop, I booked a 3 hr cycling tour with Co Van Kessel Bangkok Tours tomorrow morning at 8am, so looking forward to that…