Day 42 - Bangkok

Today was our one full day in Bangkok. We set out to see a bit, but didn't have a very clear plan. Initially we decided to start with the Grand Palace - but two people stopped us to say it wasn't open until 12 as the monks were doing something. I'm still not sure if that was correct.

So instead we took the 4bt (20c) ferry across the river to Wat Arun (the Temple of the Dawn), and spent some time walking around there.

Next we got tickets for the hop-on, hop-off ferry. We rode few stops north until it ended, then south as farm as Iconsiam, a new, very large shopping centre. It was lovely and cool and we walked around for a while.

Around 1.30 we went back to our hotel, got organised and went out again to the Grand Palace. Although our hotel is right near it, it turned out we had to walk to the other end of the complex to enter. It was spectacular, there are several large compunds within the complex and each of the is packed with buildings, temples and stupas. They are packed so tightly together it is difficult to get your bearings or be sure you've seen everything. And it was very hot, humid and crowded. We looked around for as long as we could bear before going back to the hotel for a very late lunch and collapsing.

About 6pm we went out again - taking the boat to Chinatown for a quick look around, then down to Iconsiam again, to do some last minute shopping and buy some dumplings. Back via Wat Arun again.