Bangkok

Once again, our rail travel plans were thwarted, we had planned to got to Bangkok from Chang Mai via train, unfortunately when we went to book it was booked out, so we flew instead.  This took is to Don Muang Airport, which is a lot rattier and run down then the main Suvarnabhumi International Airport that most people are used to in Bangkok.  From the airport it was a B350 taxi ride to the hotel, the Astera Sathorn.

our Hotel Room

 We checked in and then set off to explore the local streets a little and find some thing for dinner.

The next day we grabbed an all day Ferry Pass, jumped on and headed up the river,

A typical river ferry

jumped off at a the Chinatown stop, wandering around taking in the sights and sounds

Chinatown, Bangkok

before having lunch and then heading back to the ferry to explore the river further.

Cooking in Bangkok
From Chang Mai, Toni had booked a 1/2 day  Thai cooking course, she was very much looking forward to attending and as an eager student headed off to the BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System or Sky train) to go the two stops to be met by her teacher.   I will let her elucidate further on how much she enjoyed the experience.

Toni, Gabby & Grace at "Cooking" School

I headed off on the BTS as well,

BTS Train pulling away from a stop

to try and find Pantip Plaza, the IT extravaganza, as well as sort out a Thai massage, I was unsuccessful with the former and successful with the latter.

The BTS is a great way to get around those parts of Bangkok it services and I would recommend anyone going there to ensure their accommodation is not to far from a stop.  We were only 2 minutes walk from the Saphan Thaksin stop.

BTS Route Map

I did find Pan Tip plaza the next day (not far from the Chit Lom stop, I had gone the wrong way the day before), wandering through the 5 floors of computer related extravaganza while Toni was clothes shopping.

Ordering lunch at Platinum Fashion Mall

We met up for lunch which was an experience in itself, figuring out you had to buy a voucher, before you bought lunch, then cash the voucher in.  It seemed oddly convoluted to me.

I wished I had her at Pantip plaza, I needed her there to run interference for all the guys thinking I wanted to buy porn, they don't approach if you;re a couple.   I don't think these guys were aware it was available on the Internet.

and then we were heading back to Australia.