Tuk Tuk Mafia returns aka Khaosan Nostra

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth (several bus rides and a plane journey) we made it back to Bangkok's infamous Khaosan Road. Only briefly becoming embroiled in the city's dark and mysterious Tuk Tuk mafia of backpacker legend, we spent a bit of time shopping and visiting places we missed last time, like Chinatown:

Gateway to Chinatown

Wat Traimit containing a solid gold Buddha. The Tha people covered him in plaster to disguise him from Burmese invaders. 200 years later, he was dropped by a crane and the plaster coating cracked revealing the 5 1/2 ton gold Buddha inside!

Chinatown

We took a trip to an Art Centre and enormous shopping centre call MBK in Siam square, before taking the sky train to the weekend market, where Jenny had a knee trembling encounter...

Massive Woman in the Arts Centre

MBK

Chatuchak Market performer

Bar in the market - Beer or a nice cup of Earl Grey anyone?

Jenny n' Cap'n Jack (quiver)

Red shirted Thaksin Shinawatra supporters holding a rally at the Democracy Monument

So after spending far too much money on the Khao San Road, we decided that it was high time for some beach action. Yes. Off to Samet then!

Giant Buddha, Monksteddfod and Giant Lizards!

We didnt see the Thai Johnny Depp on the Khao San Road, but we did see a man with glasses with eyes on wearing a pirate hat and repeatedly squeezing a rubber chicken!

Yesterday we met up with Big Ginger Mark and went to a park in central Bangkok and did group Aerobics there. We saw massive lizard things and went to an Irish Bar and a nice bar called Cheap Charlie's. Then we got back and drank beer until 2.

 

 

Today we did the touristy thing with a Dutch lady we met in our hostel and went to the grand palace and saw many bling buildings and a MASSIVE golden Buddha. As the photos show, we drummed up publicity for Wonderbrass on the steps outside the palace! Today was VERY hot and we walked a lot and I (Jenny) bought a pretty dress and a silly hat! Matt got a silly hat too.

The plan for tomorrow is to head north to Chang Mai, which is supposed to be cooler and a lot more chilled out than Bangkok, which is very hot and busy. It hasn't rained yet, but there was a lot of lightning last night! Hopefully there will be rafting and elephnat trekking etc in Chang Mai :)

Monk Watch: Jenny 8 Matt 5, amnesty declared due to the temple and "Monksteddfod" outside!

Wayhey, we're in Bangkok!

We've spotted two monks each already - the game is afoot!  We're safely landed and staying near the Khao San Road in Bangkok which is a mental hot road, full of stalls and people dancing, shouting and whoring  - themselves and otherwise!

It's still early in the morning on our first day so we don't have much to report yet, pictures and more interesting words to come!