Day 309 - Lunch with Gregory’s friend Axel - River Bus - Golden Mount Temple
Sunday, May 12, 2019.
After last night's adventure, we told the kids they could sleep in today. Around noon, Gregory and I went to meet Axel, an old German friend of Gregory's. We had a delicious lunch at Coffee Beans by Dao.
We had a lovely time chatting until 3:00pm when the waiter told us that they wanted to close the restaurant. Axel drove us back to our hotel and we promised to get together next time with his wife and daughter, who is two years older than Sunshine.
The kids had a wonderful time resting in the room and went out for lunch on their own. They are so aware of their expenses, they told us that a bottle of water cost 60 THB at the restaurant, and in the market, it cost 10! So Daniel went to the 7/Eleven and bought a bottle there. I guess they have learned to live on a budget since that’s what we have been doing.
The kids wanted to stay in the room but we decided to take the boat ride to see some of the city. They still whined and complained but we made them do it since it was our last day. Gregory and I told them that we didn’t have to get out of the boat and that it was going to be a pleasant ride on the river. Well, the boat ride is really a form of public transportation for the locals. Yes, it happens to stop at piers near some temples, but it is not a tour boat that takes you around to admire the city. It is more like a fast bus only it's on the river! Luckily, there is a plastic cover that protects you from the splashes.
We had no idea where we were going or where to get off. We tried to ask people, but no one spoke English. Gregory was trying to read the maps and we finally got off when they told us it was the last stop. So we decided to visit the Golden Mount Temple, which was just down the road. Of course, Sunshine was upset. She just wanted to stay in the room and draw or paint. Daniel didn’t want to see yet another temple and Gregory and I really didn’t want to pay to see another pagoda! We just walked around the complex, which was huge and we got to admire the shiny pagoda from below.
We walked back to the pier, and it started to rain. It was a little scary when another boat went by in the opposite direction because it moved the water back and forth and I didn’t want to end up in the filthy water. Nothing happened, thank God! [Gregory's note: not even close, although Lili does have a way of adding drama to even everyday activities like stepping onto a large boat.] It was interesting to see the contrast in this big city. On one side you see shacks with clothing hanging everywhere. You could almost see in the houses, with people sitting on the floor, eating. On the other side of the street, you see skyscrapers, flashy signs, and lots of expensive shopping malls.
We made it to our stop. To get off the boat, there are two ticket takers with lifevests and helmets who stand on the outside and jump onto the dock to secure the line, then they hold it the boat and you jump onto the dock. We walked in the light rain to our hotel and stopped at the 7/Eleven downstairs for snack-dinner.
We rested for a bit and then at 8:00 we took Sunshine to her dentist appointment. She thought she had a cavity and indeed she did. In fact, not only one but two! [Gregory's note: we are thinking less and less of India. We went to a dentist in India, who checked Sunshine's teeth. She pointed out this same spot and he said it was nothing. Turns out he was wrong.] Well, I went in to make sure the place was clean and professional, approved and they got it done! We walked back to our hotel and on the way bought some watermelon and the best Pad Thai I had ever had in my life -- from a street stand, of course!
After last night's adventure, we told the kids they could sleep in today. Around noon, Gregory and I went to meet Axel, an old German friend of Gregory's. We had a delicious lunch at Coffee Beans by Dao.
We had a lovely time chatting until 3:00pm when the waiter told us that they wanted to close the restaurant. Axel drove us back to our hotel and we promised to get together next time with his wife and daughter, who is two years older than Sunshine.
The kids had a wonderful time resting in the room and went out for lunch on their own. They are so aware of their expenses, they told us that a bottle of water cost 60 THB at the restaurant, and in the market, it cost 10! So Daniel went to the 7/Eleven and bought a bottle there. I guess they have learned to live on a budget since that’s what we have been doing.
The kids wanted to stay in the room but we decided to take the boat ride to see some of the city. They still whined and complained but we made them do it since it was our last day. Gregory and I told them that we didn’t have to get out of the boat and that it was going to be a pleasant ride on the river. Well, the boat ride is really a form of public transportation for the locals. Yes, it happens to stop at piers near some temples, but it is not a tour boat that takes you around to admire the city. It is more like a fast bus only it's on the river! Luckily, there is a plastic cover that protects you from the splashes.
We had no idea where we were going or where to get off. We tried to ask people, but no one spoke English. Gregory was trying to read the maps and we finally got off when they told us it was the last stop. So we decided to visit the Golden Mount Temple, which was just down the road. Of course, Sunshine was upset. She just wanted to stay in the room and draw or paint. Daniel didn’t want to see yet another temple and Gregory and I really didn’t want to pay to see another pagoda! We just walked around the complex, which was huge and we got to admire the shiny pagoda from below.
We walked back to the pier, and it started to rain. It was a little scary when another boat went by in the opposite direction because it moved the water back and forth and I didn’t want to end up in the filthy water. Nothing happened, thank God! [Gregory's note: not even close, although Lili does have a way of adding drama to even everyday activities like stepping onto a large boat.] It was interesting to see the contrast in this big city. On one side you see shacks with clothing hanging everywhere. You could almost see in the houses, with people sitting on the floor, eating. On the other side of the street, you see skyscrapers, flashy signs, and lots of expensive shopping malls.
We made it to our stop. To get off the boat, there are two ticket takers with lifevests and helmets who stand on the outside and jump onto the dock to secure the line, then they hold it the boat and you jump onto the dock. We walked in the light rain to our hotel and stopped at the 7/Eleven downstairs for snack-dinner.
We rested for a bit and then at 8:00 we took Sunshine to her dentist appointment. She thought she had a cavity and indeed she did. In fact, not only one but two! [Gregory's note: we are thinking less and less of India. We went to a dentist in India, who checked Sunshine's teeth. She pointed out this same spot and he said it was nothing. Turns out he was wrong.] Well, I went in to make sure the place was clean and professional, approved and they got it done! We walked back to our hotel and on the way bought some watermelon and the best Pad Thai I had ever had in my life -- from a street stand, of course!
We finished packing our backpacks since we leave for Laos tomorrow! We are leaving our big suitcases at the hotel. Hopefully, they'll be here when we get back!
For pictures please click here
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SNDbbM7Ns84Fas9bA
Comments
Post a Comment