Very hot day today. Caught the shuttle boat to main pier and then hop-on, hop-off ticket to go up river to see main sights. Got off to see Wat Pho and Grand Palace and was strolling along avenue towards Wat Pho when we were advised by a local that the Temple was closed until 1.30 pm due to prayers for . . .. . . . . the Kings Birthday. He suggested we went to see the 4 Buddhas and the Tall Buddha as they would be open and on the way we can go to a jewellery manufacturers who were open to the public today, tax free because it’s the day after the Kings Birthday! So before we knew it we were back in a tuk-tuk, which he hailed for us, and speeding crazily along to the 4 Buddhas temple.
We got chatting to a Chinese American in the temple who said his wife was at the jewellery place and went there every time they came over and as it wasn’t generally known to tourists we ought to go and have a look. Even so, we told our driver that we didn’t want to go there but he said he received fuel tokens for taking people there so we folded and said OK but just to look, no buying! £100 later Clare has a silver ring set with a sapphire stone. Suckered again, must be written on our foreheads!
Next we saw the Tall Buddha who lived up to his name
We then went back to Wat Pho, only to be told by a local that it was closed for prayers for the Kings birthday and that we should go to , , , , , ,
We said NO! and went in the temple anyway which was all open. Beginning to suspect they were all lying bas***ds!
Saw lots of Stupa (ceramic tiled towers) plus the reclining Buddha, then got lost trying to find our way back to the pier. John was very red in the face and drenched with sweat, Clare was as cool as a radish in what must have been more then 45 degrees.
Back to hotel for quick shower then back up river to collect the dress from the tailors. Tuk-tuk driver didn’t know where to go and we ended up caught up in rush hour traffic (horrendous traffic during non-rush hour), breathing fumes from all the cars around, very tired, hot and headachy. Finally made it to the tailors but the tuk-tuk would not wait so paid him off and 15 minutes later we’re back on god knows what street trying to get a tuk-tuk to take us back to the pier. First one refused and then a nice young man sitting outside the tailors offered to take us on his tuk-tuk, thank goodness.
End of an intense day. All tuk-tuked and templed out! Got a nice dress and ring though!