Where the heck are we now?: Heading North

After being picked up by another mini van at our hotel we began our 20 hour trip to Bangkok by minivan, ferry, bus, train and tuk tuk!

It was an overcast day so we got comfortable inside the ferry and Don did what lots of the locals were doing and that was eating noodles...

I spent my time knitting which seems a little weird in 30 plus weather but it passes the time!

We got dropped off at the train station in Surat Thani and had to wait a couple of hours to catch our overnight train to Bangkok. The station was fairly busy with a lot of tourists around and by the time the train arrived all the seats were full and people standing.

And like everywhere there are large photos of the Royal Family...

Our first class accommodation was a small cabin with bunk beds and a wash basin...let's say it had seen better days but we both slept through most of the trip to Bangkok which took 12 hours....

We made good time but as we came closer to the city the train slowed down to a crawl. I was able to get a few pictures through the train window to give a sense of the environment, but they are not great.

From the outskirts of the city until almost inside there was a lot of construction along the track and it seemed they were expanding their overhead rail system that exists in the city. There were lots of workers and their accommodations alongside the tracks...

On the outside of the city these are typical houses...

Also lots of temples...

Early morning commuters...

As the train got closer to the Center these are the houses alongside the tracks...

And unfortunately this is the garbage...

We also got our first ride in a tuk tuk, first price 400, second price 250...

This sign made us hold on our luggage a little tighter...

Our accommodation in Bangkok is in a small guest house located in a quiet neighbourhood except for the rooster, we were given earplugs when we checked in! It is a lovely little spot operated by an American with a lovely Thai manager...

Not bad for 38 dollars a night!

We arrived early in the morning so rested most of the day, did laundry, got my shorts sewn up by the tailor around the corner and met some lovely young people from around the world. We are by far the oldest people here!

And of course had our daily Chang, mine with ice!

We also set out to look for some US dollars to take with us to Myanmar, but after six attempts at different banks we gave up! There are conflicting reports about money in Mynamar, some saying you need crisp US bills, others saying the local currency will do. Our friends who just got back said no one would take their US money as it wasn't brand new and they got by so hopefully we will as well.

As we were walking we saw lots of pagodas...

Some female monks...

Lots of little shops, I liked the contrast of color and shapes in this one...

In the evening we walked to a nearby market but on the way through one of the alleyways we passed some great looking food...

We ended up at an upscale night market called Asiantique which was recently built on the river and is huge...over 1500 shops, 40 restaurants, an aquarium and entertainment Center. It was quite fancy and pricey but we enjoyed a drink and some wings.

The entrance...

Street performers asking for donations for their scholarship fund...

The largest Ferris wheel in Thailand...

Great art work throughout the place.

We only had one full day in Bangkok as we are only passing through on our way to Mynamar so decided to visit the number one attraction according to Trip Advisor which was Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Budda.

We walked towards the Chao Phraya River which runs through the middle of the city and is a major transportation artery. We were looking for a river ferry which makes numerous stops along the river and are used by locals and tourists alike.

The entrance to the stop we found was through a temple...

And it was full of random things like big gongs, used toilets and a sacred pig so said the monk, but no pictures of it allowed!

There are many types of river ferries...

Wat Pho is a 1st class temple which was started in 1688 and then refurbished by King Rama 1 when he moved the capital to Bangkok and built the Royal Palace next door. It has been in a constant state of repair since then.

It is a large compound consisting of various temples and over 1000 Buddas, the largest being the Reclining Budda which is over 46m long and covered in gold leaf. Before I entered I needed to be more clothed so got myself a bright green robe...