Bangkok, Ayuthaya

I wasn't as impressed as Myanmar with Bangkok. The humanity made me tired easily. However, the shopping was so good that I almost run out money. In fact, I did :p and I had to exchange some of my back up money so that I had enough money to take the taxi from the hotel to the airport. By the time I arrived the airport, I only had 100 Baht (5 NZD, 3 USD or 100 NTD) left in my wallet :o

Shopping results:

• 1 hat
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• 1 belt
• 1 skirt
• 2 bags
• 3 pairs of shoes :o
  
• 7 T-shirts/tops; and
• some more souvenirs

After shopping for 2 days with the gang, they all left Bangkok and I was back to travel alone. It took me a while to get used to it. I felt lonely and was frustrated when I couldn't gain help easily from the locals. There were less people speaking English in Bangkok than in Myanmar, surprisingly and I didn't 'pick up' other travellers for companion.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the day I went visiting Wat Phra Kaew and the Palace was the New Year Day. Wat Phra was free but the palace was closed due to people lining up to sign the book to wish the king for a long life. I strolled among the old Bangkok and Chinatown without realising it was getting dark. By the time I felt like dinner, I had no energy, so I grabbed a tuk-tuk and it became my best story in Bangkok. Most people heard about those dodgy tuk-tuk drivers and their gem shop scams, but they (tuk-tuk drivers) obviously weren't aware of "Anita" Scam which I got a tuk-tuk drive from Chinatown to Wat Pho for 7 Baht!!!

The next day I went to Ayuthaya and biked around this ancient city. The sun was hot and every temple charging higher entry fee from foreigners! I have to admit that I sneaked into few because it was getting ridiculous and expansive to pay every single temples :p I didn't have lunch until 4 o'clock in the afternoon when I was absolutely exhausted. Even though the sunset was magnificent and I felt so guilty that I didn't make it to the Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) for the beauty, I just had enough for the day. Home and bed was all I wanted and needed.

My last day in Bangkok was visiting the Weekend Market where had like 130, 000 stalls. I only stayed for the morning as there were just way too many people to bare for me! Then, I visited the Jim Thompson's house.

Maybe it's Bangkok or maybe it's Thailand, but I was amazed on a number of old white man with Thai girl. Is it because of the language? I have to admit that every time I heard Thai people talking, 我骨頭都酥了 (my bones were all went soft) . I was also surprised to see a number of PDA (public display of affection) and lady boys. I am still confused about how this lady boys phenomenon can be so acceptable in a what I see a conservative culture - being in Asia and Buddhism country.