Exploring Bangkok in the Heat and Humidity.

We spent our first day here at The Marriott VC The Empire place resting , recovering and then washing all of our gear from Africa and Abu Dhabi.

It is a National day of Celebrations and the water pistolsetc are out everywhere celebrating the Water Festival. Jeanette is feeling a little better and her sinus and Broncitis is on the improve. We visit a local small shopping centre and purchase a variety of groceries for breakfast and food for lunch and evening meals. Mostly salads and chicken , which we can cook in the unit.

The unit accommodation is simply brilliant with a King-size bed, large well fitted bathroom and then a well furnished lounge and eating area, with our balcony overlooking a major road . It has exceeded our expectations.

We wash and find that even by putting the washing out on the balcony in the 34C heat and humidity of 95% it just doesn’t dry, so the only answer is to wash and then use the tumble dryer.

The resort complex has a spectacular pool, gym and sauna area. however, even with these amenities the heat wears you down.

First night we sleep very well, arising at 8.00am , having breakfast prior to our room being cleaned and serviced. This is an unusual thing with timeshare facilities, but we welcome it and appreciate the refresh and replacment of towels etc.

On Monday we plan to get out and visit some of the many tourist centric areas.We have been here several times aqnd realise that the Chao Phraya river is the centre of all activities and we are confident that we can use the instructions to catch the wonderful SkyRail Train to the river then purchase a day ticket.

That all sounds easy and the rail station is only 400m from our unit complex. But to achieve this easy venture you have to climb several lots of 35 stairs to cross the road and to enter the Station complex. We walk slowly at 10.30am and the heat doesn’t seem overly oppressive. It is about 450 metres to Chong Nonsi Station (SkyRail) but this is also a change station for the equally busy MRT. The first challenge is purchasing a ticket to take us the 3 Stations to Sachin Taksin, which after exiting the Station leads us to Sathorn pier, where we purchase a Chao Phraya Toursit Boat, (Blue flag) ferry service which proceeds along the Chao Phraya River and stops at the piers which connect to Bangkok’s major tourist areas and activities. The cost of a one-day pass was the equivalent of A$7.50 (Thai Baht 150) and you can ride up and down the river. We were using this as an initial means of checking out what we want to do over subsequent days.

So we ride several stops past the Iconsiam shopping centre, then to Ratchawongse ( China town) passed Wat Arun and Wat Pho ( Gold Buddha) before Stopping at The Maharaj pier , which is the key stop for the Grand Palace and Wat Pra Koew.

We exit the pier and walk about 300 metres to the amazing Grand Palace. We decide it is too hot and too long for a guided tour, but Ken will come back on Wednesday. Jeanette purchases some of the pyjama pants, which are required to enter several key sites , if you are wearing shorts.

It is a stunningly beautiful complex. Ken will return on Wednesday.

From here we walk back to the Pier and catch the ferry back to Pakklong Taladd, which leads to the flower market. On prior visits to Bangkok, the visit to the Flower Markets has been a significant highlight. On this occasion, we came away a little disappointed as there were millions of Marigold varieties, but lesser of other flowers. This has been a week of celebrations but even so the volume and range was a little disappointing.

We stopped for a beer and sprite at a small (air-conditioned) cafe and thoroughly enjoyed it. This was a chance to relax and refresh in a cool air conditioned venue whilst considering what to do next. Ken was keen to go to Royal Barge National Museum or or Wat Pho (the Gold Buddha) but Jeanette was tired and sore and pointed out that it was almost 3.00pm and we hadn’t eaten.

So sanity prevailed and we caught the Ferry back to ICONSIAM, a large new shopping complex. We exited the pier walked though several walkways into a glamorous new Shopping complex with a multitude of eating and coffee shop establishments.

Jeanette selects a cafe/ diner type restaurant and we have a lunch, which includes spring rolls and dim sum type food followed by lasagne and salad. It is good quality food and we feel sated afterwards.

Then we make our minds up at 3.45pm to return to Sathorn Pier and return to our Unit. This is easier said than done as the ferry stops at a different location at Sathorn pier, we inadvertently remain on board and go back to Iconsiam , then we find out that this is a separate free ferry from Iconsiam to Sathorn.

We walk from the Sathorn pier the 350 metres to Saphan Taksin station, where we have to again purchase a single ticket at cost of Thai Bart 28, then climb the Stairs to the Sky Rail.

Fortunately, the first train is to the National Stadium direction, which is what we need to get to Chong Nonsi Station. We are tired and the heat and stairs are killing us. We have to find a way back from Sky Rail to our intersection and use the elevated concourse across the intersection. Jeanette is really struggling and Ken is concerned as to her condition from the heat her sinus and exhaustion. We find a lift that takes us part way. We then walked and use further stairs. Then we visit the Supermarket for more groceries.

It has been a long and exhausting day. We arrive back at The Empire building at 5.35pm. We are hot and tired. We shower and that assists in making us feel better followed by a couple of drinks. A light dinner is all that is needed.

We then watch ABC Australian television before turning in at 9.25 pm.

A terrific but tiring and exhausting day. Jeanette says she won’t go out in this heat with the sinus issues during this stay.

Night passes quickly. We sleep in until 9.30am, definitely unheard of. We shower and dress before breakfast.

Today we relax and catch up.

Ken advises Gavin of our arrival in Melbourne, and then books Blacklane to pick us up 21 April 2023 for transfer to the Airport here in Bangkok. All good.