Ferries, a museum and art galleries

• Cronkiemonkie's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Bangkok

Trip Start Mar 03, 2008 Previous
Entry Trip End Mar 10, 2008 Next
Entry

  Bangkok, Thailand
Friday, March 7, 2008

Today was going to be a big day of sight seeing. I took the Skytrain to the ferry and then the ferry to the pier. I have done this before so today was done with ease. I decided to walk to the National Museum which was a bit far, but I assumed I would enjoy the walk. I got off at the same pier where the Grand Palace is located. There was a small market attempting to get all the tourist attention. I walked away from the Grand Palace in the direction of the museum. First lesson of the day, crossing the street. Where I was headed there weren't any crosswalks or lights. I stood on the corner for a LONG time just waiting for there to be an opening to go. It never came. I watched the thai's cross the street and decided to go for it. Rule 1. Once you have started there is no turning back. Taking a step backwards will likely get you hit. Rule 2. Act like you know what you are doing. Rule 3. Have confidence...or at least appear to have it. It worked. I had to cross many streets during the day. The hardest part is looking the opposite direction you would in the US since they drive on different sides of the road. Looking left first does you NO GOOD!

I made it to the musuem and bought my entry ticket for 20 baht...that's less than a dollar. I used the timer on the camera a few times to take my picture around the museum. I met a few other female travelers from the US and Canada who were nice. I spent a few hours inside looking at various articfacts. Many were as old as the 6th century.

I headed out to the National Gallery. I walked there because it didn't look to far. But I ran into a major highway with 8-12 lanes of traffic. I decided it was best not to attempt to cross as my new skills really didn't mean much in this situation. Just then a tuk tuk pulled up. I had the location written in thai and showed him. I knew where I was going, but as I drove with him, I realized he was not taking me to where I was going. I felt like a contestant on Amazing Race who should have just figured it out for themselves. During the ride he asked me again where I wanted to go. I almost just got out then, but I had hoped he just had a bad memory. He ended up dropping me off at the Queens Gallery at least a mile away from where I wanted to go. So far away it wasn't even on my little map I was using. I went in and asked for directions. I was pointed in the right direction and began to walk. I walked for a bit and then sat down with my map to see if I could get me location again. After a few minutes I figured it out. It wwas just then the same tuk tuk driver drove by and looked at me with confusion! I walked and walked and walked. Finally I found it. I was thrilled. The gallery had paintings and sculptures. It was small, but it only cost 30 baht or so, a dollar, to get in.

I walked back to the pier. On the long walk back I walked through one of the universities here. There weren't too many people walking around but I did stop in a park and watch for a bit. As I approached the pier there were many street vendors. I found the sweet pancakes I had before on my last trip. I bought a bag to bring back to the hotel. I found the pier and waited for the boat.

On my way back to the hotel I stopped at Siam Center where I had been yesterday. I went to the Food Court in hopes of finding David a treat. I was able to find eclairs at one little stand and bought him a few before I went back to the room.

David was working late, so I decided to go get a massage. I walked to a nearby place and signed up for an hour traditional thai massage. Afterwards I met David at the hotel and we headed out to meet Todd for dinner. We went to the puppet theatre and hung out with Todd for a few hours. It was good to talk with him about his experiences. David then treated us for a foot massage. If you are counting this is four massages for me in two days. Unfortunately this one was painful. All of us had painful massages. But they were good. Some how David and I were able to fall asleep during them. I woke up and my arms itched. Just the backs of them where they touched the chair. Guess what...another rash. I have officially decided that if I were to live here mom would have to send me allergy medicine routinely just to keep up with all my rashes. It's becoming entertaining rather than worrysome.

We said good bye to Todd and headed back to the hotel. It had been a long day.

Print this entry Share Bangkok hotels

Previous Entry Next Entry