Departure + Bangkok

This adventure got off to a rough start. As if the 5:30 am wake up call to scrub the house from top to bottom wasn't enough, I was convinced I forgot my phone. The phone was in my backpack all along, making hopping off the bus and the run to and from the house pointless. As if I knew this would be the trend, I considered that run my warm-up. Upon arriving in Detroit, Michigan, Husband and I had to sprint to catch our international flight to Tokyo, Japan. We finally made it to Bangkok, Thailand without further ado around 11:30 pm and immediately hit the sack.

This was my first flight on a double-decker plane - wahoo! 

We awoke early the next morning after not sleeping well for a long day of walking. We lost a day in our travels, though it would be days before we figured out the time difference and date.

We headed towards Wat Arun, turning in circles a few times while gathering a lay of the land. Once we made it, we discovered the temple stairs were closed but we still got our $1.34 worth of touring. Afterwards we took an two-and-a-half baht (0.08 cent) ferry to the Grand Palace where our day-long battle with Tourasians began. Despite just opening, the palace was PACKED and since we felt as though it was overpriced, we opted out and moved on to our next stop: Wang Lang Market.

We began eating here and didn't stop until the trip ended, weeks later. The highlights from this market include: chicken liver skewers, a steamed pork and egg bun, a pork skewer, green mango with fish sauce, coconut milk, corn, and ham balls, roasted banana and caramel, a shrimp ball, a squid ball, and crispy pork belly.

Following our market excursion, we grabbed a ferry back to Grand Palace where we were mobbed by tour groups (again!).  This was one hot, humid madhouse. After some perseverance we figured out which ferry to catch from Tha Chang Pier to Central Pier.

We then took two tuk tuks in search of the Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market, but had no luck with either. After giving up, we walked to the Siam Square Mall and took the BTS up to the Chatuchak Weekend Market. This market went on and on. After having a snack in Chatuchak Park, we dined at a restaurant lining the park. Then we wandered the market, enjoying a cup of coconut ice cream as we browsed.

On tired legs, we headed back to the hotel - hot and grimy, where we crashed around 6:00 pm.