Bangkok

Well....had a fantastic weekend in Bangkok...definately a change from the peace and solitude of Koh Samui....to the hustle and bustle of city life. Our hotel was on the 25th floor overlooking the city and the outdoor pool....so we managed a few hours of sunshine at the poolside...but have to say it was a little too hot so we ventured into the MBK shopping center....so for those big shoppers our there...this would be heaven, so many different floors and directions that would be very easy to get lost. We had to remind one another that we have 8 weeks ahead of us to lug around luggage so really did more looking than anything else.

Noel however found an electronic shopping center (7 floors) where he bought a digital camera ( after apparently going back and forth with the sales assistance to the computer to check "customer rating websites" so I'd say the salesman wasnt soorry to see him go:):) (sorry Noel)

We then decided rather than spend another day in the city...we would check out rural thai country life and went on a organized tour..departed Sunday at 650am from hotel and traveled 120km to Damnoen to see the floating markets....wow what an experience. The bus dropped us at these irrigation waterways that we then traveled by boat for about 20 minutes to these floating markets. ( We'll include a photo here to give you a better idea) This is the area in Thailand where all the farmers bring their crops (mango, coconut, rice,tapioca, pineapple...every thai fruit imaginable and much more....) to sell and then all of the goods to be sold to the tourist as well (bags, clothes, jewelry....knick knacks) As bus loads of us arrive here daily.

On the return back to Bangkok we stopped at a factory where they make teak furniture. The workers here make only 40 us dollars a month and to see the craftsmanship is unbeleivable for so little money.

So back that evening for another yummy thai meal.....never realized all the different types of curry you could get....and not even getting sick of it.

To bed early to rise for a morning departure to Cambodia.....only realizing that eve that we have no accomodation when we arrive in Siem Reap, apparently they emailed Noel to say the hotel was full.....so should be interesting....but of course Noel so laid back.....not to worry.."sure it will all work out OK, will get something when we arrive"

And so we did...here in Cambodia now but have to finish for tonight so will sign on tomorrow.

Take care

xoxo