Back to Bangkok

Saturday 21st November we said goodbye to MD House and headed back to Bangkok on the sleeper train. Such an experience. The beds came down about 9pm and we climbed up to the top bunks. It's much better getting the overnight train, because with it being a fifteen-hour journey, it helps to get a bit of sleep! Anyway our carriage was being run by a lady-boy. Ha ha absolutely fantastic character; Izzy was not so amused by his banter. I loved it. I mean where else? He woke us up at about 5am and he saw our faces (still asleep, our hair sticking up) and just laughed, the most shrill, theatrical laugh I think I have ever heard. Especially at that time of the morning. Ha ha was brilliant. We got a tuk tuk to the hostel- Suk 11: Brilliant recommendation by my brother. It's in its own little hideaway and is beautifully constructed, the whole feel of the place is so well thought-out. Downside: we arrived at about 7am and check-in was not until 11am. Time to roam the streets of Bangkok. Not ideal with a backpack the size if a house. Hmm..

Just chilled out for the day, had dinner at the Suk 11 restaurant, loving the red snapper and chilli. Woke up Monday ready to explore Bangkok. The breakfasts at the hostels here are amazing and all free. Toast, jam, yoghurt, endless amounts of fresh fruit. Yes I may be getting fat, but it's so worth it. Am going to make the most of it while it's cheap. Good justification. So we found ourselves at Pratunam market, in search of the gipsy-style harem trousers we have come to love over here. The market-place was more for Thai locals, rather than tourists in search of souvenirs, so we decided to end our search here and go back to Kao San Road (backpacker central).

We spent the afternoon at The Jim Thompson House and Museum. He was an American architect, who found himself in Asia whilst serving in the army. After leaving the service he returned to Thailand, having fallen in love with the country. Can't blame him, I have too. And so he built himself a home here, taking pieces of architectural and artistic influence from all over Asia to create his materpiece of a house. It is a combination of six teak buildings which represented the best in Traditional Thai architecture. Beautiful. And the surroundings are amazing; a little jungle of his very own. Not bad Jim. In his work, Jim Thompson contributed to the long-neglected silk industry, bringing it back to life, and contributing to the worldwide recognition of Thai silk. There you go, I learned something. Jim Thompson disappeared on a trip to the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia and has never been found.

On the walk back into the centre, we came across some professional photographs. I couldn't resist; bought a photo of the floating markets. They're mounted on wood and look amazing, so that will be going up on my wall when I get home, if I go home that is..

Caught the sky train back to Sukhumvit area where the hostel was. The London Underground could do with taking a few tips from the Thai Transportation Office. Or whoever deals with the public transport; really clean, so efficient and air-conditioned. Impressive. Love Bangkok.