With the Neung and Geng in tow we set off to explore Bangkok by water and grabbed a cab (the first one who has actually taken advantage of me all trip) to Sathorn Pier, the epicentre of the Chao Phraya River transport system. There, after much discussion, we grabbed an unlimited ride ticket for 200 Baht and set off. I was busting to ride in one of those long boats made famous by Roger Moore in Live and Let Die, but my exuberance was curtailed and we took the much more sensible if not as actioned packed ride down the mighty river.
Again they had turned the temperature up to level 5 hell. I was going to have to break out Milton’s Paradise Lost to ensure I knew exactly how far I had descended. We came upon this spectacular temple shining in all its glory from the river and sallied forth to take a look. Wat Arun, The Temple of the Dawn is just stunning. It has a main tower and 4 minor towers all of which are covered in tiles and porcelain that had made up the ballast of the ships coming from China.
After a brief look around, we just had to avoid the heat and jumped back on our ferry heading for the Wang Lang Markets. These are another market that are located right on the river near a major hospital. My search for a money clip was again unsuccessful as we fought the heat and the crowds before finally relenting and dining at this amazingly good restaurant right on the water’s edge called Wind Water View.
After returning to Sathorn we jumped another cab and headed to the burbs to meet Oui’s brother, his wife and their two kids. We got hopelessly lost. When we finally made it and returned to the city we got caught in a massive rainstorm in Chinatown so what looked like a really interesting place to explore turned into a literal washout.
Tomorrow we head to Oui’s home town but I think we have a few stops along the way.
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