We awoke to a very hot and humid morning in Bangkok. At 8.00 a.m. the national anthem was played through tannoys situated around the outside of the hotel and by the sound of it this was a ritual carried out all across the city. It was repeated again at about 5.00pm. This morning we went out on a half day city tour and spent time in the magnificent palaces of the old kings of Thailand. Thailand was ruled by a monarchy until 1932 and their wealth can still be seen today in the bejewelled towers and buildings that adorn the Grand Palace and other temples in the city. We visited the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (a solid emerald statue that was hidden for many years in a block of concrete) and Wat Po where there is a huge reclining Buddha (about 20 ft high and 60 ft in length). There is a constant clinking sound of coins being dropped into metal dishes as people move in line and send out prayers as they drop a coin into each dish. Saboohi and purchased 80 coins each (only 20 baht – about 50p) and joined the line of pilgrims.
This afternoon we were so overwhelmed by the humidity that we stayed by the Hotel Pool and relaxed. Tonight however we took the bus into town and went to a very nice restaurant called The Mango Tree (it was recommended to us by our guide Jenny). We tried to sit outside to eat but eventually had to give in and move into the air conditioned interior. We caught a taxi home and had a good nights sleep.
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